The new Career Technical Education Center and Agricultural Farm in Santa Maria soon will sport the name of a former superintendent who championed the creation of the unique campus.
The Santa Maria Joint Union High School Board voted Tuesday night to name the facility after Mark Richardson, who retired in 2019 and died suddenly last month at age 59.
Jack Garvin, who serves on the high school district board and retired as the Orcutt Union School District’s longtime superintendent, raised the idea and received support from his colleagues.
Board members voted 4-0 for the motion, with Amy Lopez absent.
“His vision, leadership and pioneering spirit leave a legacy for future generations of students to discover for themselves through the pathways offered at the center what could very well be their life’s profession,” Garvin said.
Richardson, who had earned a doctorate degree, served as superintendent from 2012 through 2019, when he retired after 30 years in education.
“A skilled and dedicated leader with a gift for analysis and problem-solving, Dr. Richardson’s passion for the transformational power of hands-on learning was the genesis for what would drive the creation of the CTE Center and Agricultural Farm,” Superintendent Antonio Garcia said.
Board president Carol Karamitsos called Richardson “a courageous and very inspiring and innovative leader.”
Per district policy, a committee reviewed the proposal and recommended naming the facility after Richardson.
The 25-acre property, which sits north of the Santa Maria Elks rodeo grounds east of Highway 101, will eventually accommodate about 800 students and staff.
Since the fall, students from the Santa Maria, Righetti, Pioneer Valley and Delta high schools have focused on lessons in construction and machine shop, with diesel mechanics and culinary arts programs coming soon.
Students, who are bused to site to spend two hours learning there, are also busy with a variety of projects involving animal pens, livestock corrals, a barn and land to grow crops.
Board member Diana Perez said Richardson raised the concept of the CTE Center/Ag Farm at a time the district needed expanded options for students.
“He made it happen for our students today and in the future,” she added.
Richardson saw his dream become reality when he attended the Nov. 10 ribbon-cutting ceremony. He died days later.
Board member Dominick Palera said Richardson’s focus always centered on, “What’s in it for the kids? What’s best for the students?”
“He lived his life that way — it was always what was best for the students, how could we improve that,” Palera said. “If you could sell him on something that was good for students, he would fight 110% for it.
“It still saddens my heart that we lost Mark so close after his retirement. I think it is a great honor to name the center after him.”
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.