Castaic High School may not be able to open for students in the fall, as the main gas line has still not been installed due to a snag between Southern California Gas Co. and Los Angeles County permit officials.

The $126.2 million project is supposed to open in August to an estimated freshman class of 400 students. However, without a main gas line in place, officials say that the school will be unable to open in time.

If that occurs, the 198-acre site at the intersection of Valley Creek Road and Canyon Hill Road would be left vacant in the fall.

Project Manager Randy Wrage, along with other project officials, have attributed the delay to the SoCalGas.

“The Hart District has had completed contracts and a check for more than $200,000 in to the gas company since May 1,” Wrage said. “(SoCalGas) have not committed to a start date, let alone a date when gas service will be available.” 

In turn, officials with Southern California Gas Company have stated that they are waiting on the Los Angeles County Public Works Department to issue the necessary permits to lay down the pipe.

“SoCalGas is currently working with L.A. County Public Works to obtain the proper permits so we can move forward with scheduling the work,” said Marisol Espinoza, spokesperson for the gas company.

As the situation has unfolded, Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Kathryn Barger has stepped in to try and expedite the process.

“Castaic High School is an important addition to the Castaic community and an important project for the county,” said Stephanie English from Barger’s office. “The Supervisor has placed the highest priority to ensure that Castaic High School Opens as scheduled and directed county staff to ensure that permitting and other county approvals are processed as efficiently as possible. We stand poised to expedite and to assist our utility partners in any way can.”

This is not the first utilities challenge that the project has faced. According to officials with the William S. Hart Union High School District, the project previously faced similar challenges with both Southern California Edison and AT&T.

However, both instances were resolved fairly quickly, with both of those utilities reportedly on-track for the planned August opening, according to officials.

“The Castaic community has waited a long time for their high school,” said Steve Sturgeon, a governing board member for the Hart District. “As we come to the completion of the campus, we can’t overemphasize the importance of our utility companies completing their work on the campus in a timely manner.”

Castaic High School has been the culmination of nearly two decades-worth of advocacy and work done by hundreds of people. Money for the project was finally procured by taking a portion of funds from a bond passed in 2008.

Since then, the campus was constructed on approximately 58 acres of land, with another 150 acres being dedicated to sporting facilities such as a football field, basketball court, and a baseball diamond, according to officials.

As of 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, the Castaic High School Project website still listed the campus as opening in 60 days.

“I have every intention of being at Castaic High School on August 13 for the first day of school,” said Joe Messina, a governing board member for the Hart District. “I’m not sure how far along the utilities are actually at but I’m sure we’ll get more information over the next few days.”

Officials with SoCalGas say that they should have more information by Monday.

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