Knight (left) and Bolde (right) visit wood shop.

[KHTS] – State Sen. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, visited three William S. Hart Union High School District campuses Monday, where principals demonstrated how they were implementing common core and hands-on training for their students.

Saugus High School, Rio Norte Junior High and Valencia High School are all part of Knight’s service area within the 21st District.

Knight said he has visited more than 50 schools since he has been in office, so that he can be aware of what education looks like in his district and can better comment on it as a politician.

Saugus Principal Bill Bolde began his tour at 10 a.m., which, in addition to academic classes, focused on the school’s vocational training programs that prepare students to enter the workforce.

Knight and Bolde visited classrooms for the video production department, auto shop and wood shop, as well as the gym and an AP history class.

Bolde explained the type of real life training that students receive by repairing cars and restoring older models in the auto shop, marketable skills that will help them get a job after graduation.

Wood shop students learn a variety different techniques, from building a miniature house to mass-producing cutting boards.

In another classroom, one of Saugus’ newest teachers was leading ninth graders through a time management exercise.

AP history students discussed early American Federalism at the creation of the Constitution.

By the end of the tour, Knight described Saugus as an “impressive” and “beautiful” school.

“I’m most impressed with the situational areas where kids can get a job,” he said. “Many kids who go to high school want to go to college, but some want to go into the workforce or the military.”

Knight visited Rio Norte at 11 a.m. and Valencia High at noon.

Steve Knight represents about half of hte Santa Clarita Valley in the state Senate.