Irvine Unified School District Race

Six candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for the three open seats on the Irvine Unified School District Board of Education. Trustee Mary Ellen Hadley is not seeking reelection. A quick look at the district and the candidates:

THE DISTRICT

Boundaries: Irvine, El Toro Marine Corps Air Station

Enrollment: 22,609

Facilities: 21 elementary schools, six middle schools, four high schools, one alternative high school, one adult school

Board members: Five

THE CANDIDATES

Tom Burnham

Age: 42

Occupation: Vice president of human resources, Allergan Inc.

Background: Incumbent, elected in 1991; board member, Irvine Childcare Project; assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop No. 5 in Irvine; active in youth sports; former chairman, Irvine YMCA

Major issues: Implementing class-size reduction in kindergarten through third grade; continuing his record of being fiscally responsible (he was the only board member who voted against investing borrowed money in the county pool that collapsed in December 1994)

Jeanne S. Flint

Age: 47

Occupation: Coordinator for professional development, Orange County Department of Education

Background: Board member, Anaheim YMCA; trustee, Los Alamitos Unified School District, 1985-1994; volunteer, Orange County Alzheimer’s Assn.; grad night coordinator and PTA member, Irvine High School

Major issues: Bringing experienced leadership to the district; planning technology programs at schools; looking into building a new high school

Mike House

Age: 46

Occupation: Owns marketing and advertising agency

Background: Six-year member of district’s School Site Council; active in PTA at Alderwood Basics Plus Elementary School; former trustee, Irvine Education Foundation

Major issues: Bringing new leadership to board to recover school funds lost in county bankruptcy; reducing class size or adding teachers to larger classes to reduce student-teacher ratios

Howard Klein

Age: 46

Occupation: Patent attorney

Background: Chairman, Irvine Transportation Commission; member, Irvine Exchange Club, Irvine Chamber of Commerce and Orange County Business Council

Major issues: Implementing class-size reduction as quickly as possible; devising better way of evaluating student skills

Karen J. Preston

Age: 38

Occupation: Second-grade teacher

Background: Active in school booster clubs and PTA

Major issues: Making a smooth transition from whole language program to traditional phonics curriculum; maintaining parental control of schools

Michael B. Regele

Age: 44

Occupation: Co-owner and president of business consulting firm

Background: Incumbent, appointed in 1990; Presbyterian minister; community volunteer

Major issues: Emphasizing basic reading, writing and math skills; ensuring a safe environment on campuses; quickly implementing class-size reductions for kindergarten through third grade and the installation of computers; expanding ethics education

Source: Individual candidates, Irvine Unified School District; Researched By LORI HAYCOX / For The Times