Irvine Unified School District

Four candidates are running for three at-large seats on the Irvine Unified School District Board of Trustees in the Nov. 5 election.

Thomas J. Burnham

Age: 37.

Occupation: Human resources consultant for Thomas Burnham Co.

Background: Bachelor’s degree in economics, has served as chairman of YMCA, member of UCI Chancellor’s Club, Woodbridge Village Assn. Facility and Finance Assn.

Issues: Wants to decentralize school decision-making to the local site level, reform public financing, improve teachers’ salaries, raise standards and improve measurements of student performance and encourage school-business partnerships.

William M. Dunkelberger

Information not available George M. Gallagher

Age: 30.

Occupation: Research scientist for Baxter Healthcare Corp.

Background: UCI graduate, Irvine resident for four years.

Issues: Wants to promote corporate sponsorship of academic and sports programs and establish educational focus groups to create a constant flow of ideas between the school board and its constituents; encourages more freedom from set curriculum for teachers.

Mary Ellen Hadley

Age: 47.

Occupation: Community volunteer; incumbent school board member.

Background: School board member for eight years. Has served as president of the Irvine school board and president of the Orange County School Boards Assn.

Issues: Seeks new ways to meet budget challenges now facing the district; wants to improve communication between the business community and the school district and better represent the district at the state level.

William P. Long

Age: 34.

Occupation: Operations coordinator at John Wayne Airport.

Background: Bachelor’s degree in aviation management, member of district school site council and board of directors for local youth athletic leagues.

Issues: Vows to seek alternatives to current budget constraints mandated by state; interested in greater degree of involvement by parents.

Genovica Niculescu-Balteanu

Age: 60.

Occupation: Mechanical engineer.

Background: Master’s degree in engineering from Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest in Romania, resident of Irvine for three years.

Issues: Wants to ban involvement by politicians, businesses and private organizations in children’s education; seeks to implement after-school education program for children ages 7 to 14.

Mike Regele

Age: 39.

Occupation: President, Church Information Development Services; appointed incumbent.

Background: Chairman of district school site council, member of school board for two years, former teacher.

Issues: Wants to enhance curriculum and teaching strategies, refocus instructional program for employment-bound students to be sure they acquire necessary knowledge and skills, find adequate long-term funding solutions.

Annita A. Sharpe

Age: 31.

Occupation: Communications executive.

Background: Bachelor’s degree in communications from UC Santa Barbara.

Issues: Wants to make sure that students get enough attention, cultivate a motivated teacher work force, reward teachers with good wages and benefits and meet the need for after-school and extended-day programs.