SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION MEASURE ON BALLOT.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

A $55 million school construction measure is under the spotlight today as Santa Clarita Valley residents head to the polls.

Measure A, sponsored by the William S. Hart Union High School District, needs a two-thirds majority to pass.

If approved, taxpayers would pay $17 per $100,000 of assessed property value annually for 20 years. Passage of the local bond would entitle the district to $114 million for further school construction and renovation.

The polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For information on where to vote, residents can call the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office at [phone].

Also on today's ballot are two at-large seats each on the boards of the Hart, Newhall, Saugus, Sulphur Springs and Castaic school districts. All of the seats are for four years.

Seven candidates running for the Hart board - Phil Ellis, David J. Hamilton, Andy Martin, Paul Strickland, Steven M. Sturgeon, Ron Tropcich and Bob Wagenaar.

In the Newhall School District, incumbent Ron Winkler faces Rose Mary Johnson, Lance K. Williams and Suzan T. Solomon.

The candidates in the Saugus Union School District are incumbent Rose Koscielny and challengers Douglas A. Bryce and Rose S. Diaz.

Sulphur Springs School District candidates are incumbent Marilyn Sparks and challengers Michael P. Hogan and Teresa Todd.

In the Castaic School District race, incumbents Thomas L. Caesar and Lester Freeman face Becky A. Bennett, Patrick D. Corrigan and Philip Mazzeo.

The Newhall County Water District, a water retailer serving small sections of Santa Clarita, also has two seats up for grabs. Environmentalist Lynne Plambeck is facing Richard W. Goss and Randall P. Pfiester, who are running a joint campaign.