Consultants Named for Castaic Site Studies
Three consultants have been approved to conduct environmental and geological studies on the Romero Canyon site chosen for a future high school in the Castaic area. The Planning Center will prepare environmental reports for the California Environmental Quality Assessment (CEQA), Geolabs-Westlake Village will perform more in-depth geological studies on the site, and RMA Group, Inc., will conduct a peer review of Geolabs’ findings. Geology reports should be completed within 13 weeks, and the CEQA process should take 12 months or less. The in-depth geology studies are required to assess ancient landslides on the site, and soil conditions that need to be mitigated for the deep fill and tall cut slopes required to prepare a building pad for a high school. Cost of the environmental studies is expected to be reduced as consultants are able to use the wealth of material gathered in the district’s preliminary site studies.
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Kathy Hunter Named Coordinator of Student Services
Kathy Hunter, who has served as principal of Sequoia Charter School since 2008, has been named coordinator of student services, effective immediately. In her new position, Hunter will have responsibility for attendance, expulsions and suspensions, counseling and guidance, and both intradistrict and interdistrict transfers. The coordinator also oversees the district’s drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse programs and the voluntary random drug testing program. Hunter has been a special education teacher for emotionally disturbed students at Valencia High School and a district program specialist before becoming principal at Sequoia, the district’s intensive therapeutic school for emotionally disturbed students. She was selected for the coordinator position following an extensive search across the state which brought 76 applications from qualified individuals.
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Staff Authorized to Investigate Solar Power Options
The Governing Board authorized staff to continue its investigation of solar power as a way to reduce district electrical bills. The district has been offered a solar power purchase agreement in which the provider designs and builds the system, maintains the equipment, and provides power to the district at a set cost over a 20-year period. Benefits include no up-front costs to the district, set power rates, and a commitment to an environmentally friendly system. Challenges include the long-term commitment required, loss of flexibility to use the site where solar panels are installed, aesthetics of the panels, and the inability to switch systems as newer technology evolves. The Board expressed interest in the concept and encouraged staff to meet with other providers and seek alternative proposals.
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Landscape Architects Approved for Placerita, Sierra Vista
Oasis Landscape Architecture and Planning has been named to design and install landscaping in conjunction with Phase II modernization at Placerita and Sierra Vista junior high schools. The company will replace antiquated water mains and, irrigation lines and controllers, and develop storm water run-off systems. Selecting a landscape architect independently from the project architect saves money, since landscaping does not require approval from the Division of State Architects.
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Personnel Matters
August 4, 2010 Regular Governing Board Meeting
Certificated Position Site
Lisa Allensworth, Special Ed. (SC3), Valencia
Jared Ambrose, Special Ed. (SC5), Valencia
Kristina Johnson, Special Ed. (SC5), Valencia
Caitlin Johnston-Urey, Speech Therapist, Golden Valley
Danielle Lahey, Social Studies, West Ranch
Cynthia Loftin, Speech Therapist, Valencia
John Randall, Special Ed. (SC5), Valencia
Sgt. Michael Waldman, ROP Law Enforcement, Golden Valley
Ken Holsenbeck (change of status), Special Ed. (SC1), Sierra Vista
Classified Position Site
Deborah Dunn (promotion), Sch. Admin Asst., Sierra Vista
Mary Lively (promotion), Sch. Admin Asst., Rancho Pico
Kim Wilczynski (promotion) Sch. Admin Asst., Hart
Michelle Bozarth, Health Asst., Hart
Jason Carpenter, Campus Supv., Arroyo Seco
Kathy Eiben, Clerk Typist, Valencia
Maria Hernandez,, Campus Supv., La Mesa
Lourdes Isaacson, Instruct Asst I/Special Ed., La Mesa
Patricia Mercer, Instruct Asst I/Gen. Ed., Placerita
Cecilia Quinn-McArdle, Instruct Asst I/Speech & Lang., Admin Ctr
Michelle Spargo, Campus Supv., West Ranch
Guy Walsh, Custodian IV, Canyon
Joy Williams, Instruct Asst I/Special Ed., Arroyo Seco