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Irvine Unified School board member Hank Adler

For the first time in at least a decade, an incumbent Irvine Unified School District board member was defeated for reelection.

Hank Adler estimates he spent about $33,000 to win a seat on the Irvine school board, defeating trustee Steve McArthur, who was hampered by a short record of incumbency.

McArthur was appointed to the board in January, replacing Greg Smith, who was appointed to the City Council.

Adler, 48, has two school-age children and has served on numerous city commissions, including the Planning and Finance commissions. He is a certified public accountant and a partner in the Santa Ana office of Deloitte & Touche. Adler will join the school board Dec. 6. He spoke recently to Times correspondent Russ Loar.

Q: Why do you think you were successful in seeking election to the Irvine school board?

A: People are concerned that decisions are being made at their schools and at the district, and they haven’t been able to participate as fully as they’d like to. There is also a big concern about class size.

Q: But doesn’t the state largely dictate class size by the way school districts are funded?

A: We’re going to find out how much we can do over the next couple of years to reduce class size. I’m not convinced that we can’t reduce it. But whether we can reduce it to the level we want is the unknown. It’s my view that the district has to take a fresh look at the way it allocates its funds. Hopefully, from that fresh look, the school district can redirect more of its funds to the classroom.

Q: You were endorsed by the Education Alliance and the California Republican Assembly. What does this mean as far as your views on public education are concerned?

A: I’m a little appalled that nobody mentions that I was also endorsed by (Councilwoman) Paula Werner and (liberal UC Irvine political science associate professor) Mark Petracca. I’m a 6-foot, 2-inch, 205-pound Jewish person. I was endorsed by what I would call both sides of the political spectrum, because of the things I’ve done in the community over the last 20 years. I am as much of a fiscal conservative person as you would ever meet, and I think that’s what makes the conservatives comfortable with me. My social views are pretty middle-of-the-road.

Q: The school district has begun the search for a new superintendent. What are the qualities you’ll be looking for in a new school district leader?

A: For a district like the Irvine school district, the qualities that are necessary in a leader are the same qualities you would look for in the president of a small college: a good leader, a good educational base, good financial skills and someone who has a demonstrated record of community involvement.