News of Arrests Kills School Endorsement

The Tustin Educators Assn. union withdrew its endorsement of school board candidate Dr. Harvey E. Kershnar on Wednesday and assumed a neutral position in his campaign for a seat on the Tustin Unified School District board, a union official said.

Controversy over Kershnar’s candidacy developed last week amid public disclosure that he was arrested in 1979 and 1986 in men’s rooms on suspicion of exposing himself. He has denied both allegations, said the 1979 charge was dropped and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in 1986.

Kershnar, 45, a pediatrician, is among five candidates in the race.

On Friday, the union’s executive board reaffirmed the group’s endorsement of Kershnar despite the reports. At a meeting Wednesday, however, the members voted to take a neutral position and allow teachers to decide on an individual basis whether to support Kershnar.