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Hart District Remains Mum On Nature Of Valencia High Softball Complaint

William S. Hart Union High School District officials continue to deny requests to produce a complaint filed by at least two parents against the Valencia High varsity softball program.


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A person familiar with the complaint who asked to remain anonymous at this stage of the Hart district’s investigation said the complaint was filed April 21.

A Valencia High official Tuesday confirmed  parents brought questions to him regarding the program more than a month ago. The district received the complaint recently and district officials met with parents this week.

In response to the meeting with parents, the district has begun an audit of the program’s finances, according to a district official who was not authorized to comment on the record.

District spokesman Dave Caldwell previously confirmed the existence of the complaint.

“We received this complaint at the district office a little over a week ago and have been investigating,” said Hart district spokesman Dave Caldwell, in an email to KHTS in response to questions. “As you can appreciate, it takes time to collect the facts responsibly, review and make decisions. As soon as this process is complete I can release the findings.”

KHTS has learned from a district employee familiar with the allegations, however, that the complaint concerns the fundraising structure of the Valencia High softball booster club, as well as strength and conditioning workouts on campus.

“We have two acceptable systems of handling team/club finances — through ASB (Associated Student Body) or through a booster club that has formed a 501(c)3,” Caldwell said.

A 501c3 organization, according to 501c3.org, is the portion of the US Internal Revenue Code that allows for federal tax exemption of nonprofit organizations, specifically those that are considered public charities, private foundations or private operating foundations.

KHTS has found no records of a Valencia Softball Booster club operating as a 501c3 in a search of tax forms 501c3 organizations are required to file annually.

The district has to date been unable to confirm if Valencia softball uses the Associated Student Body for its fundraising.

Caldwell did not immediately respond to additional requests to disclose the original complaint, nor to requests for information on possible Valencia High ASB softball account(s).

 

KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Hart District Remains Mum On Nature Of Valencia High Softball Complaint

3 comments

  1. As a matter of fact Diane, those students that sit on the bench were good enough to make varsity softball. Maybe the coach should play all the girls. How dare you single out girls that “don’t even play”. That statement was derogatory. You should be ashamed that YOU singled out 2 girls when they had nothing to do with this.

  2. My kid is on the frosh team & I have asked a lot of questions. Why are a couple parents having to do the job of VHS ADMIN ? they should be applauded for having the guts to speak up !
    Based upon responses received ,Somebody please correct me if any of the below is inaccurate :

    No 5013c or ASB acct
    Private off campus acct VHS Admin had zero knowledge of
    Fictitious Booster Club with no elected officers or treasurer
    A stranger to the program co signs all checks for the coach
    Numerous cash handlings by coach
    Zero oversight
    Zero spending approval process
    Husband works at district office & oversees all athletic programs
    Checks written to herself & other family members

    WAKE UP PARENTS !!!

    HOW IS SHE STILL COACHING ???? COACH SNYDER WAS PLACED ON LEAVE DURING THE AUDIT

  3. Thank you to the 2 parents that stepped up and did what the VHS Admin did not do .

    WHAT A SURPRISE !

    It’s my understanding that the private VHS softball acct has been SHUTDOWN & VHS Softball now has an ASB account .

    Perhaps Softball parents should thank the parents that stepped up & demanded transparency .

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About Perry Smith

Perry Smith is a print and broadcast journalist who has won several awards for his focused, hyperlocal community coverage in several different regions of the country. In addition to five years of experience covering the Santa Clarita Valley, Smith, a San Fernando Valley native, has worked in newspapers and news websites in Los Angeles, the Northwest, the Central Valley and the South, before coming to KHTS in 2012. To contact Smith, email him at Perry@hometownstation.com.