Anaheim Union High School Board Race

Six candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for two open seats on the board of Anaheim Union High School District. The district and the contenders at a glance:

THE DISTRICT

Boundaries: Serves parts of Anaheim, Cypress, La Palma, Stanton and Buena Park

Enrollment: 26,000 in grades 7-12

Facilities: Eight junior high schools, eight high schools, three alternative high schools, one school for severely disabled

Board members: Five

THE CANDIDATES

Alden E. Esping

Age: 59

Occupation: Retired after 33 years as teacher in the district

Background: Past state president, California Assn. of Directors of Activities; Orange County Teacher of the Year, 1980; two-time honorary life PTA award winner and continuing service award winner

Major issues: Reduce class sizes for all grades and improve reading comprehension; ensure a secure and safe school environment; ensure sound fiscal management

Benny Hernandez

Age: 39

Occupation: Family counselor

Background: Chairman, Children and Youth Services Committee, Orange County Mental Health Board; trustee, Anaheim City School District; board member, Orange County School Board Assn.

Major issues: Ensure top-quality education; encourage higher education and after-school homework clubs; increase parent involvement in school and mentor programs

Richard Lutz

Age: 56

Occupation: Consultant

Background: School board trustee, 1987-1992; former board member, North Orange County Regional Occupational Program; former president, John F. Kennedy High band boosters; director, Scholarship Foundation of John F. Kennedy High School

Major issues: Create trustee areas to ensure equal representation on school board; increase use of technology; continue to ensure campus safety; develop career identification program

Katherine H. Smith

Age: 55

Occupation: Businesswoman, educator and activist

Background: Former substitute teacher; past board member and vice president of alcohol and substance abuse committee, Servite High School Parents Board; president and founder, Group Resolving Anti-Social Problems

Major issues: Return to basic education; phase out bilingual instruction; provide trade, technical and general education programs in addition to college prep courses

Robert Stewart

Age: 48

Occupation: High school teacher

Background: Incumbent; former owner of large manufacturing business;

holds real estate license

and California teaching credential

Major issues: Provide high-quality, back-to-basics education; increase extracurricular activities; improve school sites, safety, programs and computer labs

L. E. “Slim” Terrell

Age: 68

Occupation: Retired school administrator for district; former junior high school principal

Background: Incumbent; former member, Anaheim Public Library Board; commissioner, Anaheim Parks and Recreation Commission

Major issues: Improve basic skills instruction, including use of computers; improve student control on campus and in classrooms; reduce class size at secondary level; increase after-school activities

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