Fullerton School Board Contenders

Three candidates are vying for two seats on the board of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. A look at the district and the candidates:

THE DISTRICT

Boundaries: 50-square-mile area including Fullerton, La Habra, Buena Park and parts of Whittier, Anaheim, La Mirada, La Palma and Brea

Enrollment: 11,010, grades 9-12

Facilities: Six high schools, one continuation high school, one alternative high school

Board members: Five

THE CANDIDATES

Clifford P. Berning

Age: 42

Occupation: Elementary school teacher in Los Angeles

Background: Bachelor’s degrees in religious studies and business administration; master’s degree in education administration

Major issues: Opposes Goals 2000 and public housing projects; supports back-to-basics curriculum including fundamental reading, writing and mathematics through phonics instruction

Bill Dunton

Age: 67

Occupation: Retired Fullerton Joint Union High School District music teacher

Background: Incumbent, elected in 1992, currently serves as president; member, Fullerton Chamber of Commerce education committee

Major issues: Wants to continue encouraging administrators, teachers and other employees to work together creatively to improve student learning; keep up with technology; ensure campus safety

Barbara R. Kilponen

Age: 55

Occupation: Community activist, volunteer leader of several nonprofit organizations

Background: Incumbent, elected in 1988, served as president in 1993; member of several district task forces; member, Cal State Fullerton’s advisory council on secondary teaching; board member, Meals on Wheels and Muckenthaler Cultural Center

Major issues: Wants to increase reading comprehension for all students; supports zero tolerance of substance abuse, possession of weapons on campus and violence

Source: Individual candidates; Researched by MIMI KO CRUZ / For The Times