SANTA CLARITA : Council OKs Talks Over Head Start Site

The Santa Clarita City Council has authorized negotiations with the William S. Hart High School District for the use of vacant school property for the city’s first Head Start program.

A recommendation by city staff that the preschool program for low-income children be located at Newhall Park was rejected by the council after protests from residents and members of the Parks and Recreation Commission that it would take up valuable park space.

Council members say they support the Head Start program, but have asked that it be operated at a school district site at 24823 Walnut St. only for two years or until a permanent location can be arranged.

Acting Parks and Recreation Director John Danielson said Wednesday that the city is studying property owned by The Master’s College in Newhall and a vacant lot owned by a lumber yard at 22427 Market St. as possible permanent locations for the program.

He said the high school district property has connections for water, the sewer, electricity and telephones and that school officials have said they may be willing to rent the space to the Head Start program for as little as $400 a month.

Danielson said Head Start has already spent $20,000 to install a fire hydrant at the Newhall Park site. But he said the city will reimburse the program.

If the high school district agrees to the city’s proposal, the Head Start program could begin on schedule on July 1.