RACES SET FOR SCHOOLS; DEADLINE PASSES FOR FILINGS.

Byline: Mary Schubert Daily News Staff Writer

Candidate filings closed Friday for six local school board elections, in which a combined 18 seats could possibly change in Santa Clarita Valley elementary, secondary and community college districts.

On Nov. 4, voters will be asked to select trustees in the Santa Clarita Community College District; the William S. Hart Union High School District; and the Castaic, Newhall, Saugus and Sulphur Springs elementary school districts.

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office expected to extend the filing deadline in the Castaic, Newhall, Saugus and Hart school district elections because incumbents on those boards chose not to run for another term.

The latest filings available indicated there likely would be no election in the community college district because nobody had challenged the two incumbents. However, late filings for seats countywide were being reviewed late Friday night.

Newhall school board incumbents Mike McCabe and Susan Edwards aren't seeking re-election, nor is Saugus school board member Betty Lund. Castaic school board incumbents Dirk Gosda and Nora Emmons, both completing their first terms, had not taken out out candidacy papers by Friday morning.

The nomination period opened July 14, and those interested in running had until Friday to file their declaration of candidacy papers.

Voters in the Nov. 4 election may cast ballots only for the elementary school district that serves their neighborhoods. The Hart and community college district elections are open to all registered voters in the Santa Clarita Valley.

According to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office, there are 88,490 registered voters in the Hart district and 88,455 in the community college district.

In the elementary school districts, the number of registered voters is as follows:

Castaic - 5,967.

Sulphur Springs - 22,225.

Newhall - 29,215.

Saugus - 31,083.

Four seats are in contention in the Saugus Union School District. Board members Douglas Bryce, Eileen Connolly and Judy Umeck face re-election, while 20-year veteran Betty Lund has said she will not seek another term.

The school board appointed Umeck last October to replace Michael Kennick, who resigned his seat in midterm to take a job in Iowa.

The Saugus district has 11 schools and 7,500 students.

Over in the Castaic Union School District, three seats will be in contention - those of board members Gosda, Irene Massey and Emmons.

The Castaic district has 1,800 students at its three schools.

The Newhall School District has three board seats to be decided. President John Castagna is running for a second term; first-term incumbent Edwards and second-term incumbent McCabe aren't seeking re-election.

The Newhall district has seven schools and 5,600 students.

Three board members face re-election in the Sulphur Springs School District. School board President Steve Sturgeon and board member Sheldon Wigdor are completing their first terms, while board member Kerry Clegg was first elected in November 1989.

The Sulphur Springs district has 4,400 students at its seven schools.

In the William S. Hart Union High School District, the seats of incumbents George Aliano, Bill Dinsenbacher and Patricia Hanrion expire this year.

The Hart district has 13,000 students at its four junior highs and four high schools.