Whittier City School District

Many residents and business owners are angry about a new school fee they must pay. The school board unanimously approved the fee June 17 as a way to maintain and improve recreational facilities such as auditoriums and football fields. District officials say it is fair for the public to pay some upkeep costs for facilities it uses. Critics call the $22.50 annual fee for each residence and business an illegal property tax. The future of the fee could hinge on the board election as well as the result of a lawsuit filed against the Whittier Union High School District for imposing a similar fee.

The new board also will consider whether it wants to combine with other area districts. The options include joining with one or more adjacent elementary districts and combining with the Whittier Union High School District.

Enrollment: 6,250

Areas served: about half of Whittier and nearby unincorporated county territory

On the ballot: four candidates for two seats. There are no incumbents. (Three candidates are actively campaigning. Diane Britton, who appears on the ballot, said she has withdrawn from the race.)

James Albanese

Age: 53

Profession: vice president of business services at Mt. San Antonio College

Residence: Whittier

Remarks: “The biggest election issues are financing and unification.” He added that unification is worth considering, even if it costs him his position as trustee. “I’m running out of a public service interest, and it wouldn’t bother me to be a one-term trustee. . . . Regarding the maintenance assessment district, I understand the need for financing, but I have mixed feelings about a tax without public approval.”

Brigitta Weger

Age: 48

Profession: elementary schoolteacher for El Rancho Unified

Residence: Whittier

Remarks: She said the biggest issue is the “morale of the teachers” after having gone through difficult and sometimes bitter contract negotiations. One of her goals would be to “create a better relationship between the school board and teachers.” Weger is also concerned with “budget cuts and the lack of funds. The hard part will be to make decisions that won’t hurt the student, as much as possible.”

Reed Wilson

Age: 36

Profession: accountant

Residence: Whittier

Remarks: “The biggest issues in the election are the assessment of property taxes by the school board and safety issues in school. I’m fundamentally opposed to school boards assessing property taxes. They have a moral obligation to avoid it if it is possible. As for safety issues, it’s a matter of setting priorities . . . making sure that when you’re cutting back you are not taking away from the safety of students . . . My big concern is the number of educators who have become part of the board.”