Culver City, Beverly Hills Elections Nov. 3 : 13 Hopefuls File for 5 Seats on 2 School Boards

Thirteen candidates have filed for the Culver City and Beverly Hills school board elections on Nov. 3. Filings have closed.

In Beverly Hills, the race for three open seats has attracted seven candidates including Betty S. Wilson and Frank Fenton, both seeking second four-year terms. Mark Egerman, whose term expires, will not run for a second term.

In Culver City, there are six candidates competing for two seats including Bess Drust who is running for her third four-year term. Diane Pannone said she will not seek a second term.

Candidates in the two races said they are weeks away from serious campaigning. However, because both districts have difficulties balancing budgets, financing is expected to be a key issue.

‘Significant Economic Issues’

Pannone of Culver City and Egerman of Beverly Hills said their districts have to be careful about finances.

“I think it will be a busy time for our school board because there are significant economic issues facing our district and all districts in the state,” Pannone said. “Our district will have to deal carefully with its budget in coming years . . . to raise revenues.”

Pannone said she decided not to run because she wants to devote more time to her job as office manager of a TV commercial production company.

“It is probably going to be a very quiet campaign, but I expect the focus will be on the financial management of the district,” Egerman said. He said he wants to devote more time to his family and law practice.

Other Candidates

The decisions by Egerman and Pannone not to run are considered the reasons there are many candidates in the two elections.

In addition to incumbent Drust, the other candidates in the Culver City race are Roger Aiken, 61, a retired elementary teacher; Marcella T. Melendez, 45, secretary; Linda L. Price, 42, accountant and president of the PTA Council of Presidents; G. James Quirarte, 42, who owns and manages apartment houses and commercial properties, and Elliot Heffler, 36, a Culver City recreation supervisor.

In Beverly Hills, incumbents Wilson and Fenton, 49, will compete with Sharon Flaum, 43, former president of the PTA Council of Presidents and a board member of the Beverly Hills Education Foundation; Peggy Elliott Goldwyn, a TV and movie writer and member of the PTA; John R. Hineline, 41, construction company executive; Phillip J. Scheid, 41, real estate broker and accountant, and Sheffy Eloul.