At its September 22, 2026 meeting, the Santa Clarita City Council approved the acquisition of the former Santa Clarita Elementary School property from the Saugus Union School District. The City and District have been working toward an agreement for the property since January 2026. Under the approved terms of the agreement, the City will purchase and exchange into the site for its fair market value of $13 million. The City and District will enter into a Purchase and Sale and Exchange agreement, with details to follow as the agreement is finalized.
“We are thankful for the collaboration with the Saugus Union School District to repurpose the site into something that our residents will enjoy for generations to come,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “While we don’t have final plans in place, the City envisions this space being transformed into a hub for community engagement, enrichment and activity. We are looking at a possible fourth Community Center, Library, additional park space or another type of community facility. This is an extraordinary opportunity for Saugus’ future.”
The approximately nine-acre property on Seco Canyon Road served as a kindergarten-through-sixth-grade public school for roughly 64 years before the District closed the campus in June 2024, due to declining enrollment and Assembly Bill (AB) 300-related seismic safety concerns.
“Throughout the District’s public process and community input sessions, we heard clearly from community members that they want to see this site continue to serve the public,” said Matt Watson, SUSD Board President. “There was strong support for recreational, educational, civic and all-ages community uses. The City’s acquisition of the site provides an opportunity to honor that community input while keeping the door open for a future facility that can continue to serve the neighborhood.”
Pending the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s review and approval, the acquisition is expected to close approximately four months after the Saugus Union School District Governing Board approves the Purchase and Sale Agreement.
