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June 24
1980 - Saugus Train Station relocated to Hart Park, Newhall [story]
Saugus Train Station


| Friday, Oct 4, 2019
[caption id="attachment_181577" align="aligncenter" width="556"]Legislators, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, officials from California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers and California Charter Schools Association and Assemblywoman Christy Smith applaud the Governor’s signing of the education reform bill. | Courtesy photo. Legislators, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, officials from California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers and California Charter Schools Association and Assemblywoman Christy Smith applaud the Governor’s signing of Assembly Bill 1507. | Courtesy photo.[/caption]

SACRAMENTO — Assemblywoman Christy Smith (D-Santa Clarita)’s Assembly Bill 1507, which updates the California Charter Schools Act, and Assembly Bill 543, to expand education on school sexual harassment resources, were signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday.

AB 1507 closes a loophole in current law that allows a charter school to operate outside its authorizing district, while AB 543 requires 9th through 12th-grade school sites to display culturally competent, age-appropriate posters in each bathroom and locker room.

Charter School Update
The AB 1507 news comes on the heels of a signing ceremony for Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach)’s AB 1505, which empowers communities to evaluate the fiscal impact of new charter schools on existing schools in their own neighborhoods.

Smith served as a critical partner on the passage and signing of this measure, having introduced the legislation along with Assemblymembers O’Donnell, Rob Bonta (D-Alameda) and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) in February. Both AB’s 1505 and 1507 are rooted in improving local school board oversight and increasing accountability and transparency in education, while allowing high-quality charter schools to continue to thrive.

“We now have the framework for charter and traditional schools to work together collaboratively in service of their communities and neighborhoods,” Newsom said, regarding the signing of the bill.

“AB 1507 is the result of collaboration with charter and traditional stakeholders across the state to ensure greater transparency and accountability in charter authorization and empower local school boards to make jurisdictional decisions that directly impact the community they serve,” Smith said. “Governor Newsom’s signature on ABs 1505 and 1507 speak to the very heart of prioritizing students across California, and moving all of us onto the same page in improving learning for all.”

AB 1507 will take effect on January 1, 2020.

Sexual Harassment Education
AB 543 dictates that posters contain information pertaining to policy, including rules and procedures for reporting a charge of sexual harassment. School districts and local agencies will be reimbursed by the state for these materials.

“Unfortunately, sexual misconduct happens too often in places of work and learning,” Smith said. “When sexual harassment happens in schools, it can interfere with academics and be extremely debilitating for a student’s ability to thrive. We must equip our young people with the proper knowledge and resources to combat sexual harassment, and that is exactly what AB 543 does. I was so proud to carry this bill, which was a direct result of advocacy from student leaders across California.”

“The enactment of this bill is tremendous,” California State Association of Student Councils State President Avery Reed said. “As a proposal from a delegation of California students, AB 543 will help everyone on campus feel safe, valued and respected. I hope that students see this as a reminder that advocacy does pay off and that no one should endure uncertainty or confusion around their school’s sexual harassment policy.”

“I believe that the bill that my peers and I created, AB 543, will help survivors of sexual harassment or assault obtain assistance and justice, and increase clarity surrounding sexual misconduct in schools,” CASC Region 3 President Kate Heller said. “I feel honored to have worked on it and hope that our efforts will help decrease the dangerous amount of ignorance surrounding these issues. I know that this is a small step, but I’m very excited to see what other reforms this leads to.”

“I am absolutely thrilled to see AB 543 signed by Governor Newsom. This bill was the brainchild of students across the state of California, and I’m eternally grateful that we were able to see it come to fruition,” CASC Alumni Arvin Hariri said. “As a statewide policy, AB 543 will help schools foster a culture of zero tolerance towards sexual harassment and assault, making the students of California feel more protected and educated by the institutions whose core mission it is to do so.”

“I was overjoyed when I heard the news that this bill was being passed because it is an issue that I see prevalent in my own community as well as the community in which my peers live in,” CASC Student Advisory Board Legislation in Education Member Juliana Kim said. “It reaffirms the fact that each student voice matters and can make an impact. So, my hope for AB 543 is to inspire students to voice their opinions while also help them to find comfort in knowing that there are options.”

AB 543 will take effect on January 1, 2020.

Assemblywoman Christy Smith represents California’s 38th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Agua Dulce, Castaic, Santa Susana Knolls and North San Fernando Valley.

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SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025
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Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence recently held its “Celebration of Everything” event in appreciation of the many volunteers who make such a difference in the lives of Santa Clarita Valley foster youth and recognizing a record number of 32 youth for education milestones.
FYI Hosts Annual ‘Celebration of Everything’ Honoring Youth, Volunteers
The city of Santa Clarita will host a location for the 2025 World’s Largest Swim Lesson on Thursday, June 26, 10:30-11 a.m. at the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, presented by Kaiser Permanente.
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Airman Matthew Mancillas, a native of Santa Clarita, is one of more than 60 sailors celebrating America’s 249 years of independence while serving aboard USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest commissioned warship.
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The Gibbons Conservation Center is nearly halfway to its June fundraising goal, which will generously be matched. That leaves one week to double your donation.
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The Valley Industry Association is calling on all CEOs, presidents, business owners, chief marketing officers, chief operating officers, HR directors, vice presidents, executive directors, regional managers, project managers and more to fill in answers on a five-minute survey today that will help develop solutions for tomorrow.
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John Paul Mitchell Systems, a manufacturer of hair care products and styling tools, has announced it will relocate from California to Texas.
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Luke Brueckner, a former player and assistant coach with The Master's University golf team, has been hired as the new head coach for both the men's and women's programs.
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1980 - Saugus Train Station relocated to Hart Park, Newhall [story]
Saugus Train Station
William S. Hart Park has been a cherished part of the Santa Clarita community for nearly 70 years.
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City Launches New Online Recreation Registration System
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The Santa Clarita City Council will meet in open session on Tuesday, June 24 at City Hall, with the first reading of an ordinance of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map of the city of Santa Clarita issued by CalFire.
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Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo submitted a formal budget request letter calling for comprehensive funding, beyond the $110 million currently allocated, to fully implement Proposition 36.
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1946, 11:20pm: William S. Hart, 81, dies at L.A.'s California Lutheran Hospital, leaving his Newhall estate and his (now West) Hollywood home to the public [story]
Hart dies
1972 - Vasquez Rocks added to National Register of Historic Places [list]
Vasquez Rocks
The Agua Dulce Women's Club Community Blood Drive will be held Wednesday, June 25, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at 33201 Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Agua Dulce, CA 91390.
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The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, June 24 beginning at 6:40 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m.
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1941 - Ernie Hickson buys out Trem Carr's interest in their Monogram movie ranch, renames it "Placeritos" (later called Melody) [story]
Ernie Hickson
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