Huntington Union High School District

Two candidates, Charles Wilkins and Dirk Voss, are vying to fill a seat vacated by Bonnie Bruce with two years remaining. The four other candidates, including Bruce and incumbent Michael H. Simons, are running for two four-year seats.

FULL TERM

James M. Ball

Age: 46.

Occupation: Manager, engineer.

Background: Chaired Ocean View School District budget committee, 1990-91; tutors teachers in science in school partnership program.

Issues: Advocates greater emphasis on education and less on teacher and administrator salaries; opposes maintenance assessment district for school financing; urges officials to listen to residents opposed to development on surplus property.

Bonnie J. Bruce

Age: 48.

Occupation: Business owner, incumbent.

Background: Served on district blue ribbon task force in 1987 to make long-range budget recommendations, was founding chairman in 1987 of No Drugs in Schools.

Issues: Advocates local control of school funding; proposes increased efforts to reach students who are not bound for college; favors long-range planning.

Leon E. McKinney

Age: 33.

Occupation: Engineer/scientist.

Background: Frequently attends meetings of Ocean View and Huntington Beach Union High School district boards.

Issues: Advocates better financial planning to prevent school closures; wants the community to be part of decisions affecting education.

Michael H. Simons

Age: 48.

Occupation: Podiatrist, incumbent.

Background: Served on Board of Medical Quality Assurance, former member of Huntington Beach High School site council in 1991.

Issues: Advocates earlier identification of students’ career paths; wants to maintain high SAT scores and harmony among employee groups, administration and community.

UNEXPIRED TERM

Dirk Voss

Age: 26.

Occupation: Public safety officer, small business owner.

Background: Served on the Huntington Beach Budget Review Task Force in 1991-92, is a member of the executive board of No to Drugs in Schools.

Issues: Contends that parents should have the right to send their children to any high school within the district; advocates family values; favors a crackdown on gang and drug problems and opposes maintenance assessment districts.

Charles Wilkins

Age: 45.

Occupation: Customer relations, GTE.

Background: President, Orange County Junior All American Football Assn., 1986.

Issues: Advocates equal sharing of cuts among all employees, not just teachers; proposes that extracurricular activities be spared from cuts; advocates increased emphasis on computer literacy.