Clovis Unified purchases Grundfos facility with the intention of opening a technology high school to be named the Center for Advanced Research and Technology.

March 1997

Clovis Unified and Fresno Unified decide to create a Joint Powers Agreement and proceed with planning a technology high school to serve students in both districts.

April 1997

First meeting of the CART Board of Directors is held.

May 1997

Curriculum planning committee is formed with representation from CUSD, FUSD, SCCCD, CSUF, and area businesses.

District responsibilities were established. Clovis Unified is responsible for financial and administrative services, budgeting, accounting, payroll and accounts payable. Fresno Unified is responsible for human resources, maintenance, grounds, risk management, and payroll.

Architect is selected.

June/July 1997

Representatives from education and the business community meet with the architects to design the CART facility.

September 1997

CART pilot classes begin in local high schools.

October 1997

CART Business Plan is completed.

November 1997

CART Logo adopted. Community Advisory Committee is formed.

December 1997

CART Board authorizes search firm to seek CEO candidate

January 1998

Information receptions held to introduce CART concept to the community.

March 1998

CART Board directs staff to prepare Charter School application.

May 1998

CART affiliates with Jobs for the Future (A national non-profit organization based in Boston , Massachusetts that works to enhance economic security and access to opportunity for all individuals by strengthening the transitions and linkages between learning and work. Jobs for the Future conducts research, proposes policy innovation, design systems, and provide technical assistance to help people and regions adapt to change).

July 1998

Pat Wright selected as Chief Executive Officer and a Microsoft partnership is announced.

September 1998

Pat Wright begins as Chief Executive Officer and CART offices are established.

December 1998

National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) names CART a model program.

February 1999

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories partnership announced.

March 1999

Jane Hammaker named Chief Operating Officer

April 1999

CART Webpage (www.cart.org) debuts and construction bid is awarded.

May 1999

Groundbreaking for CART facility.

June 1999

CISCO partnership announced. PacBell partnership announced.
Susan Fisher is named Dean of Curriculum & Instruction.
Sixteen teachers are selected to begin designing the curriculum.

August 1999

CART Staff begins work on design of the school program. California Endowment partnership is announced. Fresno City College Training Institute partnership is announced.

October 1999

Haworth Furnishings/California Business Furnishings partnership is announced.
Sequoia Software partnership is announced.

November 1999

Marketing campaign begins. Parent community information meetings held.
Charter School petition submitted to Sacramento.

January 2000

CART student application packets available.

Feb./March 2000

Students register for 2000-2001 classes.

May 2000

CART facility completed. Additional CART staff members are selected.

July 2000

Series of community Open House events at new facility.

August 2000

CART CLASSES BEGIN!