[KHTS] – Hart district officials met for their annual organizational meeting Wednesday, naming their new governing board for 2014, as well as swearing in the newest member of the board and finalizing the deal for the district’s new office.

“Its an exciting year ahead,” said Steve Sturgeon, who was named board president Wednesday night. “We should be begin the grading on Castaic High School during the coming year.”

Sturgeon, who has been on the governing board since 1999, last served as board president in 2009. Bob Jensen was named board clerk.

The William S. Hart Union High School District oversees more than 22,000 junior high and high school students in the Santa Clarita Valley.

“I’m going to bring curriculum back into the boardroom,” Sturgeon said Thursday, namely discussing changes anticipated with the Common Core Standards Initiative. “I want to make sure the board is fully up to speed on all the expectation that come with it in the curriculum.”

Reverse handoff: Steve Sturgeon (right) gives a ceremonial gavel as a gift to outgoing board President Joe Messina after Messina handed over the real one to Sturgeon.

He also wants to look at school site equity, and if there’s anything else the district can do to “navigate the high school environment,” and ensure that students are on a path to career success, whatever their field of choice may be.

Sturgeon is also reigning SCV Man of the Year, which is awarded by past recipients based on nominees’ participation in work with nonprofits.

“The goal would be to ensure that not only the parents, but the students, have an understanding of how they can optimize their school path,” he said.

Rob Hall was also sworn in at the organizational meeting.

After about five hours of interviews, the Hart district’s governing board voted 3-1 to select Robert Hall to fill the seat vacated by Chris Fall on Oct. 16.

Hall is the director of human resources for Advanced Bionics.

The district also plans to host its next meeting, which will be in January, at its new district office, according to outgoing board President Joe Messina.

The governing board approved the purchase of the building on Spirit Court for $2.35 million on Wednesday.

The district decided to purchase the 15,000 square foot office building, instead of leasing, because the move would save money in the long term, Messina said.

The board also approved a new contract for waste management services, a bidding process that prompted Fall’s resignation from the board in August.

There were several other bidders who expressed interest this time around, although the previous low bidder, Consolidated Waste Services, once again had the lowest, and therefore winning, bid.

Hart School District Press Release, 12-17-2013

The William S. Hart Governing Board elected Steven Sturgeon as Board President for the coming year, at its annual organization meeting, Wed. Dec. 11, 2013 in the District Office Board Room. The Board elected Robert Jensen, Jr. as clerk and Gloria Mercado-Fortine as Assistant Clerk. The five member board includes Joseph Messina and new board member, Rob Hall.

The formal election followed a series of tributes to outgoing Board President, Joseph Messina. Presentations to Messina included certificates and accolades from representatives of Assemblyman Scott Wilk’s office, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s office and City of Santa Clarita.

All praised Messina for his past and ongoing dedication and commitment to the Hart District and his role in guiding the District to many achievements and successes, during times of budget challenges.

The Board also elected a number of its members to represent the Hart District on other committees. They include Steven Sturgeon, SCV Facilities Foundation; Robert Jensen, Saugus / Hart Facilities Financing Authority; Steve Sturgeon and Gloria Mercado-Fortine, Facility Modernization / Construction Monitoring Committee; Steve Sturgeon and Robert Jensen, Audit and Finance Committee; Joe Messina and Rob Hall, Citizens’ Oversight Committees Membership Selection Committee; Joe Messina and Rob Hall, District Board Policy Review Committee; Robert Jensen, WiSH Education Foundation; Gloria Mercado-Fortine, Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization and the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association; and Gloria Mercado-Fortine and Robert Jensen (alternate), Representatives to Special Education Board Liaison Committee.

The first board meeting of the 2014 year scheduled for Jan. 22, 2014, will be held in the Hart School District’s new building located at 21380 Centre Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, a few blocks from the current office. The District is consolidating two buildings into one, which will provide for efficiencies and cost savings.