Vying for Ocean View Board
Seven candidates are seeking to fill two openings on the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees. A quick glance:
THE DISTRICT
Area: Includes all of Huntington Beach, parts of Fountain Valley and Westminster
Enrollment: 9,400 students
Facilities: 11 elementary and four middle schools
Issues: Candidates are debating merits of putting stronger emphasis on back-to-basics teaching methods
Number on Board: Five
THE CANDIDATES
Gordon Busch
Age: 44
Occupation: Machinery manufacturer
Background: Former president of Ocean View Parents Council; former chairman of Community Budget Advisory Committee
Major issues: Challenge students with curriculum that is relevant to workplace; push for changes in district finance procedures and classroom technology funding
Robert Cheek
Age: 55
Occupation: Financial analyst
Background: 20 years’ experience in budget and business analysis
Major issues: Bring back “comprehensive” phonics and conventional mathematics instructional methods and allow parents to choose English-only instruction
Peg Edey
Age: 42
Occupation: Educator and homemaker
Background: Instructional Advisory Committee member, former member of district committees dealing with budget, integration, history and social science, health and at-risk students
Major issues: Keep a “balanced perspective” on teaching methods in contrast to call for uniform back-to-basics instructional methods
Linda Kovach
Age: 48
Occupation: Vice president of Outdoor Enterprises Inc.
Background: Former elementary-school teacher;
classroom volunteer and teacher’s aide; volunteer with community youth groups and school athletic teams; began foundation for elementary school marine education
Major issues: Look at all sides of educational issues, “not just one agenda”; balance back-to-basics teaching methods with broad educational goals
Jim Peters
Age: 40
Occupation: Educational consultant
Background: Experience as a representative of parents of gifted and disabled students
Major issues: Safe schools; class-size reduction; school accountability and access to technology for all students
Bill Prescott
Age: 35
Occupation: Consultant engineer
Background: President, Hope View Elementary School site council; member, Mesa View Middle School site council; school volunteer
Major issues: Continue to emphasize basics at elementary school level, maintain and develop integrated curriculum, expand technology and improve middle school facilities
Tom Shilton
Age: 47
Occupation: Real estate appraiser
Background: Former middle and high school teacher; school volunteer
Major issues: Keep curriculum strong without limiting educational methods; implement district educational technology program
Source: Individual candidates
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