Brian Walters

[KHTS] – The Governing Board of the Newhall School District met for the district’s annual organizational meeting on Dec. 10 and voted to appoint a new president and clerk for 2014.

Incumbent board members Phil Ellis, Christy Smith, and Brian Walters are beginning a sceond consecutive term after re-election in November.

Continuing service on the board is 10-year board member Mike Shapiro and 14-year veteran Suzan Solomon.

Walters replaces Ellis as president of the Newhall School District board, and Shapiro takes Walters’ place as clerk.

The Newhall School District board is made up of five citizens who represent the public.

The board sets district policy, monitors business and instructional programs, and holds staff acountable for the conduct of district affairs.

Walters joined the board in 2009 in order to help the Newhall School District during the economic crisis. He served as the board’s clerk throughout 2013 before his current appointment as president.

He has lived in Santa Clarita since 2003, and his three children attend schools in the district. He is an active member of the Pico Canyon PTA and Pico Canyon All Pro Dads.

Ellis served on the Newhall board from 1995 to 1999 and returned to serve again in 2009. During his absence from the Newhall board Ellis served on the Governing Board at William S. Hart Union High District.

All three of Ellis’ sons graduated from Valencia Valley and Hart. He returned to the Newhall board in 2009 in order to help the District handle the California budget crisis.

Shapiro has been a member of the board since 2003. Shapiro created and chaired the Newhall School District’s Annual Run for Fitness. He also is co-founder of the Newhall Educator’s Family Fund (NEFF), which provides support to teachers and staff of the Newhall School District who are facing a grave illness.

The Newhall School District votes on a new president and clerk every year. Walters and Shapiro’s terms end in December 2014.

– Mindy Lam