Christy Smith

Two incumbents are seeking a second term on the Newhall School District board, and a third incumbent is seeking a third term.

Christy Smith and Brian Walters are seeking a second term, and Phil Ellis is looking to serve another term, as well.

The incumbents are all running in support of one another, according to the candidates.

“We have a great working group, and there has been a number of occasions where we have had a lot of lengthy discussions,” Smith said. “When it comes down to that, we want to keep making sure we make great decisions.”

Ellis, who’s currently board president, also served on the Newhall school board from 2001-05, before serving a term on the Williams S Hart Union High School District governing board.

“I ran because of the financial issues facing the district four years ago, and the possibility that most of the board members may have left so I ran for continuity sake,” Ellis said. “And that’s why I wanted to run again.”

One of the biggest priorities for the district is the management of Measure E funds.

The voter-approved Measure E infused the district with $60 million for various school district needs.

“Christy, Phil and I remain committed to providing leadership to the district we are privileged to serve,” Walters said in a statement.

Originally appointed to the board in 2009, Walters was elected to fill a partial term in 2011, and is now looking for a chance at a full term, he said.

At least a portion of the Measure E money will go toward the financing of technological upgrades required by the state’s new Common Core Standards, which is gradually being phased in over the next year.

The oversight of these funds is one of the important aspects that Smith, Ellis and Walters wanted to stay involved with, Ellis said.

“Those products are under way and we want to make sure that, as we transition to the final version of the state funding formula, we make the best possible use of those funds,” she said.

All 10 of the schools in the Newhall School District are California Distinguished Schools, Smith said, adding that two were nationally recognized as Blue Ribbon School of Excellence recipients.

“It really is the best job in public service that you can have,” Smith said. “You get to see the direct impact of your public efforts every day.”