Most Santa Clarita School Board Incumbents Ousted

Most incumbents failed to win reelection to school boards in the Santa Clarita Valley, reflecting dissatisfaction with the status quo, candidates said Wednesday.

Voters elected only one incumbent to the Newhall School District and two to the community college district.

The result is that newcomers will occupy 10 of the 13 school board seats up for grabs Tuesday.

“People were just basically looking for change,” said Supt. Hamilton C. Smyth of William S. Hart High School District. “They were venting frustration with everything, especially the economy.”

Two Hart incumbents--Gerald Heidt and Clara Jean Stroup--failed to win fourth terms. Winners were financial analyst Paula Olivares, with 4,235 votes, about 25%, and retired police officer John R. Hassel, with 3,695 votes, about 22%. Only 24% of the district’s 69,601 voters cast ballots.

Voters in the Castaic Union School District rejected incumbent John W. Johnson for a fifth term. Instead, challengers Bruce Fox and Lester M. Freeman were elected. Fox, a police officer, received 255 votes, about 41%, and Freeman, an emergency planner, got 235 votes, 38%. Only 14% of the district’s 4,364 voters went to the polls.

In the Sulphur Springs Union School District, no incumbents ran. Homemaker Ethelyn Glancy and human resources director Marilyn Sparks won out of a field of five. Glancy garnered 763 votes, about 31%. Sparks got 603 votes, about 24%. Only 16% of the district’s 15,155 voters cast ballots.

In the Santa Clarita Community College District, voters reelected Michele Jenkins and Richard Peoples. Jenkins got 5,425 votes, about 59%, and Peoples 3,411, about 39%. Incumbent Bill Broyles lost to Bruce Fortine, who won 5,481 votes, about 62%. Only 13% of the district’s 69,568 voters turned out.

In Newhall, voters elected Gonzalo Freixes, who was appointed in June when a former member relocated. Freixes won 2,146 votes, or 23%. Parent Candace Fleece also won a seat with 1,640 votes, about 18%. About 39% of the district’s 23,620 voters turned out.