Westminster School District Candidates
Six candidates seek two openings on the school board. Incumbent Kathleen Stirling Iverson is not running for a second term. Here’s a look at the district and those who are running:
THE DISTRICT
Area: Westminster and parts of Garden Grove, Huntington Beach and Midway City
Enrollment: 9,063
Facilities: 13 elementary and three middle/intermediate schools; one child development facility
Board members: 5
Issues: Teaching English to non-English-speaking students; managing class-size reduction; implementing technology plan for new computer equipment
THE CANDIDATES
Nancy L. Blumenthal
Age: 44
Occupation: Family law attorney
Background: Incumbent school board trustee; member, West Orange County Consortium Special Education Board; member, Foundation for Educational Excellence in Westminster, PTA member
Major issues: Oversee implementation and updating of computer technology plan; school safety; implement pilot program that would give problem students alternatives to expulsion
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Leonard Crane
Age: 53
Occupation: Retired carpet layer
Background: Regular attendee of school board and City Council meetings; active volunteer for youth sports
Major issues: Keep sixth grade part of elementary schools; better fiscal management to pay for site improvements such as new fences and greener playing fields
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Stephanie Erickson
Age: 43
Occupation: Homemaker
Background: Regularly attends various education-related meetings throughout Orange County
Major issues: Remove all classes not taught in English; increase parental involvement; begin parents’ newsletter
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Chris King
Age: 44
Occupation: Homemaker, community volunteer
Background: Member, Westminster School District Advisory Board; past president, Eastwood School PTA; volunteer with several youth, church and community organizations
Major issues: Increase efforts to teach English skills to non-English-speaking students; extend district’s state-approved waiver for bilingual education; promote after-school tutoring programs; boost parent involvement
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Vivian Kirkpatrick-Pilger
Age: 42
Occupation: Management services officer, UC Irvine Department of Engineering
Background: 16 years’ administrative and budgetary experience at UCI
Major issues: Introduce children to colleges and universities at an early age through field trips and special partnerships; reduce gang activity at junior high schools
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Helena Rutkowski
Age: 59
Occupation: Homemaker
Background: Member, Westminster School District Personnel Commission; district instructional assistant; PTA member; Girl Scout leader
Major issues: Increase emphasis on basic skills; maintain “open door” policy for parents, teachers, employees and administrators
Sources: District, individual candidates
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