Growth has been a difficult challenge for the William S. Hart Union High School District over the decades. It was particularly challenging in the late 1990s when the number of students significantly exceeded the designed capacity of the school facilities.Forty-five percent of the then-17,000 junior and senior high school students were considered "unhoused" with most occupying temporary facilities. In response, the Hart District Governing Board developed a concept for a public-private partnership that could get a school project off the ground, move it along quickly, while minimizing costs and maximizing state funding.

What are some of the benefits that have been provided by the Facilities Foundation to date?

Golden Valley High School, which opened its doors in 2004 helping to alleviate overcrowding in other local high schools, remains the crowning achievement of the Facilities Foundation. In partnership with the City of Santa Clarita, a key portion of the cross-valley connector was constructed at a substantial cost savings to taxpayers. The City trail system was extended along Golden Valley Road between Sierra Highway and Centre Pointe Parkway. The organization has made financial contributions to the Sierra Vista Junior High School Boys & Girls Club facility and to the City of Santa Clarita Aquatic Center. Additional land purchases include a parcel in Castaic, and junior and senior high school sites in Canyon Country.

Is the Facilities Foundation a public or private organization?

The Santa Clarita Valley Facilities Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation organized as a 501(c)4 public benefit corporation registered with the Office of the Attorney General in the State of California.

Who runs the Facilities Foundation?

The Facilities Foundation is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors, who serve on a volunteer basis without pay or compensation for services.Five community members are appointed by the board for alternating four-year terms. Two additional seats are reserved for the Hart District Board President and the District Superintendent, or their designees.

How does the Facilities Foundation determine where and when to purchase land for new schools?

Each project begins with a request from the Hart School District based upon the school district's projected growth and long-term strategic planning goals.Acquisition and development of school sites in this manner enables the school district to meet student population needs independent of new home developments.

Can't the Hart School District buy their own land and build schools?

The simple answer is "yes" but that doesn't take into account the financial and staff resource benefits of an independent third party purchase.The way the state school construction funding program works is that the State of California contributes 50 percent toward the purchase of land at fair market value. The value of improved land – one complete with utilities, roads and construction-ready – will always be greater than the value of raw, unimproved land in its natural state. The Facilities Foundation purchases land, spends millions of dollars making improvements, and then transfers the construction-ready site to the school district at fair market value. Actual school construction is completed by the Hart District.

What is the difference between a developer-provided school site and one provided by the Facilities Foundation?

The process of improving the land and turning it over to the school district upon completion is very similar for a developer-provided school site and one provided by the Facilities Foundation.Both parties improve the land, build new roads, and provide the necessary infrastructure so that the Hart District can begin construction. Both "sell" the land to the school district at fair market value. The real difference comes in the use of proceeds.In the case of a developer, every new home built requires payment of what is known as a school mitigation fee. The purchase price of land transferred to the school district is used to offset those fees; fees that would otherwise be made in cash. Proceeds of the land transferred to the school district (purchase price less school mitigation fees for homes in the development project, minus costs) are retained by the developer as profit. In contrast, the Facilities Foundation is not a home provider. Proceeds of the sale (purchase price minus costs) are retained by the non-profit organization and held in public trust for the benefit of the school district to be used for other purposes or reinvested in additional school sites.

Didn't the Foundation acquire property for a school in Castaic?

In 2003, the Facilities Foundation purchased a 70-acre site in Castaic located at the intersection of Hasley Canyon and Sloan Canyon roads. While the site was approved as a high school by both the Hart District and the State of California, its location became an issue with nearby residents. Since that time, the Hart District has been in discussions with other developers to identify other suitable sites. The Facilities Foundation will retain ownership of the Hasley/Sloan parcel until the time when the Hart District releases it from further consideration. After obtaining unanimous approval from the Castaic Town Council, the Foundation has moved forward to obtain residential entitlements for the property from the County of Los Angeles, which will increase its market value.

What properties does the Facilities Foundation currently own?

It may be necessary to acquire more land than is actually needed for a school site. This may happen when a seller offers a large parcel that cannot be divided into a smaller parcel. When it comes to buying real estate for development, it can be all or none. Such was the case with the Golden Valley High School project, where 135 acres were originally purchased. Once the school was constructed and roads built, a portion of the remaining property was sold to Centex Homes for residential development. The Facilities Foundation retains ownership of some smaller parcels in that area until disposition is determined. The same is the case for a 70-acre parcel in Castaic. Two new schools are planned in Canyon Country with the Facilities Foundation's recent purchase of additional properties – an 80-acre junior high site and a 250+ acre high school site – both in the Vasquez Canyon Road/Sierra Highway area.

The annual report indicates assets in the form of cash and land are held by the Facilities Foundation. How can that money be used?

Surplus funds are held for a public purpose to be invested in our schools and other public facilities for the education of our children. Current policy provides for these funds to be used for the "brick-and-mortar" mission of the Foundation.

Are meetings open to the public?

At the time of formation, the Facilities Foundation voluntarily adopted in its bylaws to follow the "open meeting" laws. These are the same laws that apply to every elected body in the state, which requires agendas posted in advance of every meeting and that all meetings be open to the public.

Does the Facilities Foundation solicit donations similar to other foundations in the Santa Clarita Valley?

While the Facilities Foundation can accept donations, it does not solicit contributions from the general public or other entities. Revenue is primarily generated through the Foundation's development activities.

Where can I receive more information regarding the Facilities Foundation?

Email any of the Directors from the 'Contact Us' page.