Orange Unified School District

Four candidates are running for one seat in Trustee Area 2 and two candidates for one seat in Trustee Area 6 on the Orange Unified School District Board of Education in the Nov. 5 election.

Trustee Area 2

Maureen Aschoff

Age: 46.

Occupation: Librarian.

Background: Bachelor’s degree in English, master’s degree in science, recipient of PTA Honorary Service Award.

Issues: Believes that residents should demand financial stability, integrity, accountability from district; supports a business-oriented partnership, equalization of educational funds, competent long-term budget planning, an effective and efficient use and sale of surplus properties and scrutiny of top administrative salaries.

Lawrence Robert Labrado

Age: 52.

Occupation: Outreach counselor and transfer service representative, Cal State Fullerton.

Background: Bachelor’s degree from Cal State Fullerton, member of board of directors for Friendly Center and other local groups.

Issues: Opposes new tax spending and hiring new administrators; supports disclosing results of the district’s independent audit.

Daniel Matranga

Age: 44.

Occupation: Independent insurance agent.

Background: Marine Corps veteran, bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin, past president of church congregation.

Issues: Believes the district must take the lead in working with parents, teachers, students, business leaders and other public officials to provide the best education for students.

John McCain

Age: 50.

Occupation: Manufacturer and distributor of electronics products.

Background: Involvement in Orange Neighborhood Watch, PTA, legislative coalition and Steering Committee for Better Schools.

Issues: Says children deserve the excellent educational opportunities enjoyed by their Orange Unified predecessors in the 1960s and 1970s, and wants to work to achieve that level again.

Trustee Area 6

Russell Barrios

Age: 45.

Occupation: Executive assistant to County Supervisor Don R. Roth, incumbent school board member.

Background: School board member since 1983; heads legislative coalition to fight for district’s fair share of state and local tax dollars; recipient of past community service awards from the PTA.

Issues: Vows to continue to oppose maintenance assessment fee or any other tax not approved by voters; wants to continue to provide quality education during tough economic times by tightening the district’s budget and operating within its means.

Robert H. Viviano

Age: 59.

Occupation: Director of contracts for Brunswick Corp., defense division.

Background: Part-time professor of business law at UCI since 1980; retired Marine Corps major; vice chairman of board of directors for Olive Crest Home for Children.

Issues: Opposes new taxes or assessments without voter approval; wants to institute a voluntary tutoring program for children, stressing fundamentals and drawing volunteer instructors from private sector and retirees; wants to use excess district property to generate new revenues.