DISTRICT FRETS OVER AUTO SHOP CLOSINGS.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

SAUGUS - The sound of the pneumatic wrench disappeared over winter break from one high school campus, prompting school district officials to form a committee to ensure that industrial arts instruction remains available.

One of the 14 recommendations from the William S. Hart Union High School District's Career Technical Education Committee is to advise the board before the closure of any career technical or industrial technology programs, unlike the situation at Saugus High School.

The retirement of auto shop teacher Jim Phillips in December brought an era of tuneups and timing on the Saugus campus to an end. Unable to find a replacement teacher, Saugus Principal Bill Bolde had no choice but to transform the workshops into graphic arts facilities, where students can learn silk-screening and graphic design.

The committee, headed by Ann Kerman of the Santa Clarita Valley School and Business Alliance, was formed to identify industrial arts course trends in the district and to help align programs between the district and College of the Canyons. They presented an overview of recommendations that included establishing standards, reviewing programs, cultivating job shadowing and internships and extending industrial arts classes to junior high students.

But the closure of the Saugus auto shop was heavy on the board member's minds.

``We need to focus on broad knowledge,'' said board President Dennis King. ``Even though we live in a technologically advanced world, we still need to know how a car runs. It's not always about careers; it should be about education. Do we really have to close the shop at Saugus? Give us more than 'We can't find a teacher' for a reason.''

``Don't focus on what we're taking away, focus on what we're adding to the curriculum,'' countered Superintendent Robert Lee.

Several speakers from the automotive repair industry spoke about auto shop's importance on high school campuses.

Bill O'Connor of Universal Technical Institute, a consultant who has worked with the district on career development, presented a report on the 44 students who came to his school from the Hart district. More than one-third of his students came from Saugus.

``The industry is hurting for technicians,'' he said. ``But when you have an auto shop class, three or four of them might be in it for the career; everyone else wants to know how to work on their own car. We need to keep offering the class to spark students' interest.''

``I grew up in auto shop in Simi Valley,'' mechanic Jack Acton added. ``I wanted my kids to take shop, but they were all closed. You need to stop here what happened there. I can't find good help when I'm looking for mechanics. People don't have the background because shops are closing and they don't have the education.

``You're spending $5 million on a football field, but how many kids stay in football after they get out of school? Everybody drives a car.''

According to district officials, 450 students were enrolled in August in auto shop classes offered at Hart, Canyon, Valencia and Saugus high schools; 60 of those students were in Regional Occupational Program classes that offered work experience in the auto industry. Closing Saugus' program decreased program enrollment to 373.

The Santa Clarita Valley Auto Dealers Association has partnered with the School to Business Alliance to provide 20 to 30 internships so qualified students can work side by side with technicians at local dealerships.

Part of the problem lies in the potential income for well-trained mechanics, who can earn $60,000 a year for working on cars. Those interested in teaching would have to take a pay cut to become instructors, plus have a credential to teach another subject when they aren't wielding a wrench.

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com