Placentia-Yorba Linda School Board Race

Six candidates, including two incumbents, are competing for three seats on the board of Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. The district and contenders at a glance:

THE DISTRICT

Boundaries: Placentia, Yorba Linda, and parts of Anaheim, Fullerton and Brea

Enrollment: 24,700, K-12th grade

Facilities: 19 elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools, one alternative high school

Board members: Five

THE CANDIDATES

Carol Liberty

Age: 48

Occupation: Flight attendant, homemaker

Background: Co-chair, Parents of Gifted Organization; member, WINGS, a flight attendant support group; volunteer, Orange County Mediation Center

Major issues: Reduce overcrowding in schools and reduce class sizes at all grade levels; develop magnet school at high school level emphasizing technology; upgrade technology districtwide

Michael Manning

Age: 59

Occupation: Engineer, businessman, educator

Background: Past leader, YMCA Indian Guides, Boy Scouts and Little League; guest speaker, Vocational Educators Conference, 1994; supporter, Orange County Mediation Center

Major issues: Ensure financial responsibility of school board and maintain local control; oppose teachers union attempt to dominate election process; emphasize basic skills and de-emphasize socialization in the classroom

Judy Miner

Age: 49

Occupation: Teacher

Background: Incumbent; former classroom volunteer, PTA officer and member of various district committees; holds teaching credential and bilingual teaching certificate

Major issues: Support curriculum and instruction providing basic skills and technology to prepare students for 21st century; maintain fiscal integrity; give teachers opportunities to improve skills

Craig Olson

Age: 49

Occupation: Dentist; faculty member, UCLA School of Dentistry

Background: Incumbent, past board president; experience with youth in Scouts, sports, music, church, drug counseling and education programs

Major issues: Ensure complete, balanced curriculum emphasizing basic skills, including phonics; prepare students for competitive society of future; emphasize partnership between parents and teachers, trust between school and family

Roseann Thorn

Age: 42

Occupation: Phonics reading instructor, business owner

Background: Travis Ranch School site coordinator, Time For Kids tutoring program; North Orange County leader, National Right to Read Foundation; former Instrumental Music Booster president

Major issues: Focus on reading, comprehension, writing, spelling, traditional math, U.S. history and science; ensure electives such as music, computer technology and athletics; restore fiscal responsibility; oppose federalization of education

Jan Wagner

Age: 47

Occupation: Homemaker; president, Placentia-Yorba Linda Educational Foundation

Background: Former middle and elementary school PTA president; former member, district’s Curriculum Council; PTA Council board member; chair, legislative affairs, Esperanza High PTA

Major issues: Support more community involvement in schools; develop strategies to ensure students meet high performance standards; reduce class sizes at all grades

Source: Individual candidates; Researched by DEBRA CANO / For The Times