Garden Grove Unified School District

There are five candidates running for three at-large seats on the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees in the Nov. 5 election.

Lynn Hamtil

Age: 53.

Occupation: Engineering secretary; incumbent school board member.

Background: School board member for 12 years; president, Garden Grove PTA Council; officer, Orange County School Boards Assn.

Issues: Wants to continue to attract and retain highly qualified teachers; seeks methods to ensure economically efficient operations without levying assessment taxes; supports strong curriculum; pledges to seek input from parents, citizens and employees in decision-making processes.

Terry A. Horwitz

Age: 45.

Occupation: Departmental manager, plastics division, Cimco Corp.

Background: Chairman of the school district’s Gifted Education Committee, member and past chairman of school site council.

Issues: Wants to promote fiscal responsibility and provide healthy, positive leadership and find ways to raise test scores.

Watson Lewis Warren

Information not available Joyce T. Johnson

Age: 73.

Occupation: Retired teacher, incumbent school board member.

Background: District teacher for 28 years, board member for 12 years, member of National Teachers Hall of Fame.

Issues: Opposes cuts in academic, music, arts or sports programs and layoffs of personnel to balance budget; supports competitive salaries, benefits and improved working conditions to continue to attract qualified employees.

Kenneth Hugh Slimmer

Age: 61.

Occupation: Attorney; incumbent school board member.

Background: Garden Grove Elks’ Citizen of the Year, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, serves as a judge pro tem.

Issues: Opposes tax increases and assessments without voter approval; wants a longer school year, increased graduation requirements, strengthened curriculum, and more drug-abuse and gang-prevention programs.