CANOGA PARK : 1st Environmental, Ag Magnet Proposed

The region’s first environmental and agricultural science magnet program has been proposed for Canoga Park High School.

The proposal, pending approval by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, would cost about $97,000 for equipment and supplies.

If accepted, Canoga Park would join about two dozen other Valley elementary, middle schools and high schools that have magnet programs in subjects ranging from performing arts to medicine. The Canoga magnet would draw students from all over the district with an interest in agricultural and environmental science careers.

“The environment is where it’s at these days,” said Larry Higgins, Canoga Park’s principal. “This is very appropriate right now in terms of timing.”

The decision on the Canoga Park magnet as well as several other pending magnet proposals could come as early as December, but may take more than a year, said Richard Battaglia, the magnet program specialist for the district.

Considerations such as school location and what type of courses will be offered play a role in the decision, he said, but the deciding factor will be funding.

An application for a $4-million proposal to win federal funding for new and existing magnet programs was denied earlier this year, forcing the board to find money in the existing budget for any magnet programs it approves, Battaglia said.

In addition to the regular curriculum required for high school graduation, students in the Canoga Park magnet would select one of two possible course clusters. The environmental sciences cluster would include such classes as floriculture, landscaping practices and environmental earth sciences. The agricultural cluster would include pre-veterinary science and international and agricultural business.

Proposed classes include “Conservation of Environment and Natural Resources” and “Computer Applications in Agriculture.”

Students would also be encouraged to take courses at nearby Pierce College’s agricultural farm and serve as active local members of the Future Farmers of America.