Hart District Board Member Steve Sturgeon has spent over a decade and a half cultivating relationships with local, regional and state politicians who rely on Steve to represent the needs of our community’s children. On September 30, 2015, Steve met w

As a mother and SCV resident, I can't think of a topic I'm more invested in than that of my children's - all our children's - education.

That's why, unlike the majority of Santa Clarita at the moment, I'm paying close attention to the Hart District Board elections. According to the facts on the district's website, we all should be more focused on this election. I mean - who's not affected by this? Take a peek at these stats: "The William S. Hart Union High School District ... serves seventh through 12th grades with an annual budget of nearly $180 million. Nearly 23,000 students are enrolled in the district's six comprehensive high schools, a continuation school, middle college high school, independent study school, a home school support program, six junior high schools, an adult school and a Regional Occupational Program."

I sat down with Hart District Board Member Steve Sturgeon, who's running for re-election this cycle, for clarity on what, exactly, is at stake - and why you should be sure to make your voice heard on November 3 in the ballot box or by absentee ballot (Which might just be the greatest boon to democracy since... ever. Seriously - no excuses! Sign up online to be an absentee voter now and exercise your first amendment right from the comfort of your recliner! There's still time!). Here are some takeaways from our chat that you need to know.

Steve Sturgeon on Castaic High School: "I've served as the board representative for the Castaic school-site property selection; now that we have a location that meets county and community requirements, it's time for me to take on the next task - construction monitoring. My goal is to not just build a school for 'today,' but for the next 50 years. This site is going to serve not just Castaic but likely part of the upcoming Newhall Ranch project. Remember that when Valencia High School was built, it was surrounded by nothing but onion fields - and now it's the hub of business and housing in the north Valencia area. We need to do this right - with a careful eye on today's budget and tomorrow's needs - for this to serve our students exceptionally while also burgeoning economic growth in the area."

Steve Sturgeon on innovation in SCV campuses and classrooms: "I'm working hard to ensure that every one of our schools is investing in career-tech innovation. The opportunity to coordinate career pathways like welding, electrical engineering, graphic design and robotics with College of the Canyons is just too good to pass up."

Steve Sturgeon on representing Santa Clarita in California's state delegate assembly: "I've been a delegate for 10 years with the California School Board Association; there are only 250 of us in the entire state. I am the SCV representative from the High School District. It's an incredible honor to be able to have a voice in state policy that affects us locally."