The William S. Hart Union District Board of Governors addressed both the Saugus shooting and renewing the Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) charter during Wednesday night’s regular meeting.

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Wednesday night’s board meeting began with each of the board governors giving open and emotional statements regarding the shooting at Saugus High School on the previous Thursday morning.

“Tomorrow marks one week since tragedy struck our school community,” said Bob Jensen, president of the board.  “On behalf of our entire governing board, we will be recognizing and thanking our first responders- as we continue to process what has occurred… our focus is now on healing and no words can adequately soothe those who have lost their children… I dedicate this meeting tonight to the students’ family and staff of Saugus High School.”

On top of thanking the first responders, Steven Sturgeon, a board member, spoke on how Santa Clarita as a community can heal

“I fully believe what we’ve seen in the last few days is a result of the culture we have developed in SCV and beyond,” Sturgeon said. “There’s no way to describe the way I feel. 23,000 students and losing three is too many. We will move forward.”

The board of governors includes representation in the form of a Hart District student. The student at Wednesday’s meeting, Brooke Friedman, spoke on the tragedy at Saugus

“You never think it’s going to be you until it is,” Friedman said. “I thank the first responders… If there’s one thing I know: it’s that Santa Clarita will not be remembered for the tragedy, but for how we grow.”

Not all in attendance believed the district was doing its best when it came to the safety of its students. One individual, Jack Kurtz, called the board to do more.

“The active shooter training on what to do- that is good. We have great law enforcement, and school staff- and that is good. We are starting to address school shooting at home and that is good. All three are good but they are not good enough,” Kurtz said. “Children are still dying… I want to leave with one message, until our schools have the same security as airports, federal buildings, it’s not good enough.”

A Valencia High School senior did have a direct approach for their concerns, calling for more mental health officials on all Hart District campuses.

“Although we have practiced many times for lockdown, I don’t think it’s enough,” said the Valencia senior. “We need more mental health professionals at every school. We need kids and teachers to speak up about mental health. I say that on behalf of myself and all my friends.”

In addition to addressing the Saugus High Shooting, the board addressed the renewal of SCVi’s charter.

The William S. Hart Union High School District has operated a charter with Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) since 2008. The current charter expires June 30, 2020.

At the Nov. 6 board meeting, SCVi opened a petition to have their charter renewed.

Wednesday, the board of governors unanimously approved the extension of SCVi’s charter through June 30, 2025.

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