Garden Grove Unified School District Race

Seven candidates are running for three seats on the board of the Garden Grove Unified School District. Incumbent Joyce T. Johnson is not seeking another term. A look at the district and the contenders:

THE DISTRICT

Boundaries: Most of Garden Grove; parts of Westminster, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Stanton, Anaheim and Cypress

Enrollment: 44,661

Facilities: 43 elementary schools, nine intermediate schools, eight high schools, two adult education centers and two special education schools

Board members: Five

Issues: Reducing class size and managing growing enrollment in the big district, which includes a large number of students for whom English is a second language

THE CANDIDATES

Fred Clair

Age: 61

Occupation: Retired public school principal and part-time teacher

Background: 32 years’ experience in the district--25 as a principal and seven as an elementary school teacher

Major issues: Mandating at least one board member be an experienced educator; reducing class size, spending more money at classroom level, expanding vocational programs

Lynn Hamtil

Age: 58

Occupation: Secretary

Background: Incumbent; 17 years on the board, including three terms as president; member, California School Board Assn. Delegate Assembly; former treasurer, Orange County Board of Education; member, Chamber of Commerce Women’s Division, Girls and Boys Club board

Major issues: Reducing class size and evaluating effects on funding, staffing and facilities; increasing English proficiency among students

John L. Holm

Age: 54

Occupation: Owner, Industrial Computer Systems of Southern California

Background: PTA member for 11 years; former president, Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary School’s site council and Garden Grove High School’s site council

Major issues: Implementing comprehensive vocational training programs across district to ensure graduating students have job skills

Fortunato Mabutas

Age: 60

Occupation: Teacher of English as a second language, Rancho Santiago College

Background: President, Continuing Education Faculty Assn., Rancho Santiago College; board member, Orange County Teachers of English to Speakers of Other

Languages, Delhi Community Center; member, Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce

Major issues: Combining efforts of law enforcement, parents, students and teachers to promote better and safer schools; continuing low-cost or free breakfast and lunch programs; boosting technology training

Linda Paulsen

Age: 43

Occupation: Middle school principal, Westminster School District

Background: Elementary school teacher for 15 years; middle school principal for five years; member of a multi-city gang task force

Major issues: Increasing parents’ access to, and involvement in, schools at all levels; making teaching materials available for review at local schools as well as the district office

Kenneth H. Slimmer

Age: 67

Occupation: Attorney

Background: Incumbent; 20 years on board, five terms as president; nine years on Garden Grove Planning Commission; past president, Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce

Major issues: Managing district’s continuing growth, particularly on the east end of town, where no school sites are available; reducing class size

Kerri Weisenberger

Age: 36

Occupation: Homemaker

Background: Vice president, Thomas Paine Elementary School PTO, and member of the school’s site council; member, Ethan B. Allen Elementary School PTA; vice president, Orange County Foundation for Oncology Children and Families

Major issues: Raising academic standards at district’s intermediate and high schools; defending parents’ right to help direct their children’s education

Source: Individual candidates; Researched by CATHY WERBLIN / For The Times