Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : New Superintendent Named for Saugus School District

Saugus Union School District trustees Tuesday chose a man with a decade of prior Santa Clarita Valley school experience to serve as their new superintendent.

Joseph Fazio was approved to take over the $95,000-a-year post that will be vacated in September by Supt. Troy Bramlett.

Fazio, now superintendent for the tiny Cardiff Elementary School District near San Diego, worked in the Santa Clarita Valley from 1966 to 1976. He was principal of Rosedell School and later Highlands School, both in the Saugus district, and then superintendent of the Castaic Union School District.

Fazio was chosen from about 30 applicants, seven of whom were interviewed by trustees.

“We sensed a high energy level--a desire for excellence--in him,” said board President Deme Larson, noting Fazio’s prior work in the district as an asset.

Fazio is scheduled to begin in mid-August on what will probably be a four-year contract.

Bramlett announced his retirement in late February, citing health reasons.

He said he has had diabetes for four years and that his doctor recommended more exercise and less tension to help battle the symptoms.

The Saugus district has a $23-million budget and includes 10 elementary schools with about 6,500 students. A $10.2-million bond measure passed in 1993 will be used to finance the building of two additional schools.