Santa Ana School Board Race
Thirteen candidates are vying for four open seats on the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Trustees. Three of the openings are for four-year terms and one is for two years to fill a seat vacated by a resignation. A quick glance:
FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM (3 Seats)
Rosemarie Avila
Age: 48
Occupation: Homemaker
Background: Incumbent since 1992
Major issues: Bilingual education; teaching English as a second language in first grade rather than fourth grade
Helen Fabian
Age: 49
Occupation: Freelance radio talk-show host
Background: Former talk-show host, KBRT Christian radio
Major issue: Improving English skills through phonics
Nativo V. Lopez
Age: 45
Occupation: Director, Hermandad Mexicana
Background: Active in parent-teacher organizations
Major issue: Teaching students more English and at lower grades
Sal Mendoza
Age: 51
Occupation: Commercial insurance broker
Background: Incumbent for nine years
Major issue: Hold school district administrators and others accountable for effectively managing taxpayer dollars
Ivan V. McKinney
Age: 64
Occupation: Retired school district administrator
Background: Member, Santa Ana Redevelopment Commission; former member, Orange County Grand Jury
Major issue: Reducing class size to offer more individualized instruction
Virgel Nickell
Age: 54
Occupation: Real estate investment manager
Background: Member of Santa Ana cable-TV commission, California Republican Assembly, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Major issue: Ensuring students have skills to succeed in college and the workplace
Jaime B. Vega Rodriguez
Age: 43
Occupation: Management consultant
Background: Member, Santa Ana Human Relations Commission; former director, One Stop Immigration naturalization program
Major issue: Expanding bilingual education programs
Debbie Perez Stephens
Age: 36
Occupation: Office manager
Background: Active in parent-teacher organizations
Major issues: Bilingual education; immersing children in English classes beginning in kindergarten rather than fourth grade
Wendy C. Tobiska
Age: 40
Occupation: Instructor, children’s recreation programs
Background: Officer in two parent-teacher organizations
Major issue: Increased parent involvement in schools through community outreach
Audrey Yamagata-Noji
Age: 44
Occupation: Vice president, student services, Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut
Background: Incumbent
Major issue: Ensuring mastery of basic academic skills such as reading, writing and math
THE DISTRICT
Area: 85% of the city of Santa Ana
Enrollment: 50,824 students
Facilities: 30 elementary, seven intermediate and four high schools, two continuation high schools, one special education school
Issues: Bilingual education; expanding the number of fundamental schools, which emphasize parent involvement; implementing mandatory school uniform policy
Number on board: 5
TWO-YEAR TERM
Aida Espinoza
Age: 25
Occupation: Tutor
Background: Former member, Santa Ana Human Relations Commission
Major issue: Raise district students’ standardized test scores
Robert B. Hoffman
Age: 50
Occupation: Real estate services director
Background: Co-founder, Santa Ana Council of Arts and Culture; speaker, Stay in School program
Major issue: Ensure adequate school facilities by new construction and improvements to existing buildings.
Debra K. O’Donnell
Age: 45
Occupation: English teacher
Background: Volunteer speaker, Teen Awareness abstinence program; member, Eagle Forum women’s conservative activist group
Major issue: Teaching English through phonics beginning in kindergarten
Source: Individual candidates; researched by JEFF KASS / For The Times
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