Orange County Candidates for School Boards

Sixteen school districts in Orange County are electing board members in Tuesday’s election. Several districts did not have enough candidates to force an election. Here are profiles of more than 80 school board candidates--information for which was provided by the candidates to reporters for The Times or to the registrar of voters and has not been independently verified:

ANAHEIM UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Elected

Frank G. Cozza Jr.

* Age: 35

* Occupation: Restaurateur

* Background: Not available

* Issues: To achieve the highest quality of education, we must retain enthusiastic and well-educated teachers; we must also be willing to educate the families and hold ourselves accountable to impartial evaluation; test scores must improve with each testing. Favors the acceleration of after-school programs of all sorts. District must prepare for increased enrollment

Benny Hernandez

* Age: 42

* Occupation: Teacher and family counselor

* Background: Nine-year resident; member of the Anaheim City School District board; bachelor’s degree from Loma Linda University; master’s degree from Cal State Long Beach; worked for Children’s Bureau of Southern California as a family counselor; past president of the South Anaheim Neighborhood Council; board of directors of Orange County School Board Assn.

* Issues: Wants to decrease dropout rates and increase the number of seniors moving on to universities or colleges; raise test scores and student performance and create a system in which students can evaluate teachers anonymously; would like to be link between Latino community and school board

Thomas Holguin

* Age: 46

* Occupation: Businessman and Anaheim Redevelopment and Housing commissioner

* Background: Committee member on the Facility Task Force and Safety Committee for the district

* Issues: Require entrance exam for students entering the seventh grade; continue to increase standards for high school graduation; continue implementing comprehensive assessment programs for grades seven through 12; offer students who are not college-bound trade or technology training. Enhance the reading program Reading Is Knowledge.

Duane James Roberts

* Age: 33

* Occupation: Courtroom assistant, Orange County Superior Court

* Background: Community resident for 30 years; bachelor’s degree in criminology, law, and society from UC Irvine

* Issues: Wants to put measures on the ballot to impose fees on wealthy corporations to pay for school upgrades; favors increasing the number of trustee seats and filling them by district rather than at-large; seeks to maintain a learning environment free of racism and sexism; empower students, parents and teachers

Katherine H. Smith

* Age: 59

* Occupation: Incumbent board member, businesswoman

* Background: First-term accomplishments: made the concept of Oxford Academy a reality, introduced a three-minute lunch bell to have students pick up their lunch litter, introduced a “moment of silence” allowing students a few moments each day for quiet reflection, construction of Kennedy High School’s pool

Issues: During past term, supported raising required grade-point average to 2.0 for graduation; preserving classes in industrial technology; supports International Baccalaureate program to provide advanced academic opportunity

Lafrance Terrell

* Age: 72

* Occupation: Incumbent board member, retired school administrator

* Background: Received the Golden Oak Service Award this year. The award is the highest recognition for outstanding service to children and youth, presented by the California PTA

* Issues: Schools need to hire competent teachers, administrators and staff to educate and operate safe and orderly schools. District must continue to lower class sizes and provide up-to-date textbooks, computers and other materials. Students must be helped to develop good study habits. Strive for drug- and gang-free schools that reflect the values of our community

BREA OLINDA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Elected

Dorothy Marie Allen

* Occupation: Teacher, incumbent board member

* Background: Master’s degree in world cultures from Fordham University; worked as a teacher in New York area; moved to California in early ‘70s. For the past 30 years, served as a teacher and a principal in L.A. and Orange counties

* Issues: Supports more emphasis on reading skills and teaching children how to speak English correctly; believes in the need to teach teachers; favors more accountability for parents; believes in bringing more character education in schools

Charles Johnson

Occupation: Biologist, businessman

Could not be reached for comment

Denise Shamblin Keller

* Age: 43

* Occupation: Incumbent board member

* Background: School board member for past four years, two of those as vice president and president of the Orange County School Board Assn.

* Issues: Could not be reached for comment

Michael Prince

* Age: 43

* Occupation: Sales and marketing

* Background: Served on the site council for Mariposa Elementary School; volunteered on several school district committees.

* Issues: Wants to bring strong family values into the school system; seeks to implement more accountability within the schools’ administration; wants to improve the quality of education and ensure that school staff are treated fairly; says additional school facilities are needed

Susie Sokol

* Age: 55

* Occupation: Pharmacist, incumbent board member

* Background: Board member for 12 years. President of Kiwanis Club; sits on board of directors of the Brea Chamber of Commerce; serves as delegate to the California School Board Assn. Former representative to the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program

* Issues: Supports the idea of strengthening the curriculum; favors furthering class size reduction; promises to work to provide more adequate and modern school facilities

BUENA PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Elected

Barbara Michel

* Age: 56

* Occupation: Retired district employee

* Background: Area resident for more than 28 years; worked in the Buena Park School District for 25 years; knowledge of school finance through jobs in payroll and as an accounting technician; served on the facilities and bond oversight committee and the employee benefit trust; Girl Scout leader; Campfire Girl leader

* Issues: Wants to actively pursue affordable preschool care for working parents

L. Carole Jensen

* Age: 38

* Occupation: Businesswoman, community volunteer

* Background: Brownie leader; coordinator for Eastside Church Mothers of Preschoolers; member, La Mirada Mothers Offering Mothers Support group; room mom for past three years; bachelor’s degree in human resources; master’s degree in business administration

* Issues: Believes in lifelong learning and concentrating on basic skills of reading, writing and math; wants more music and art programs; wants to reduce class sizes for grades 4 through 8

Robert Thompson

* Age: 50

* Occupation: Chiropractor, incumbent board member

* Background: Three-year board member; president of the board, 1998-99; supported a “back to basics” focus on reading and math; past president, Buena Park Rotary Club; board member, Buena Park Boys & Girls Club

* Issues: Believes every child can learn and deserves a rich curriculum built upon the basics of reading, writing, math and the sciences; believes vocational education and the arts add richness to education; teachers need training in diagnostic and preventive strategies to identify children at risk early

CYPRESS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Elected

Donna Erickson

* Age: 51

* Occupation: Incumbent/school psychologist

* Background: Board member for 12 years; currently working at a school for the developmentally disabled; longtime district and community volunteer and has worked at elementary, middle and high schools in the district; 25-year Cypress resident.

* Issues: Wants to look into modernizing buildings and continue implementing technology; concerned about funding special education; supports strong parental involvement; wants to continue the district’s high Academic Performance Index scores and Individual Reading Program.

Donna L. McDougall

* Age: 62

* Occupation: Incumbent/first-grade teacher

* Background: Board member for 17 years; president of a governing board for special education in six districts; eight-year member and former president of county School Board Assn.; eight-year member of the California School Board Assn. Has lived in Cypress for 27 years.

* Issues: Continue the board’s successful education program; supports the district’s high Academic Performance Index scores, strong curriculum, and parental and teacher involvement; supports the Individual Reading Program.

Denise Jane Reinking

* Age: 45

* Occupation: Nurse/community volunteer

* Background: Board member in the Rio Linda Union School District for 3 1/2 years; board member of Cypress Homeowners Assn. for two years; 1995 Woman of the Year for her work with children; 12-year volunteer with the California PTA; worked for the state PTA Health Welfare Department; received the Distinguished Service Award from the California Assn. of School Administration; six-year resident.

* Issues: Wants to survey parents about adopting school uniforms; supports modernizing buildings; wants to encourage more parent involvement at board meetings; supports adding curriculum to teach children about blood-borne viruses; supports local control over funding; wants to increase communication with the community.

FULLERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Elected

Hilda Sugarman

* Age: 53

* Occupation: Incumbent/community volunteer

* Background: More than 20 years’ experience helping local schools as parent, teacher, community leader, trustee. Board member since 1996. Eight-time PTA president. Community Volunteer of the Year awards from Orange County Human Relations Commission and St. Jude Hospital. Woman of the Year award, Orange County Business and Professional Women.

* Issues: Continue focusing on doing a good job educating all students. Continue to support teachers in terms of salaries, materials and in-service training. Improve school facilities.

Chris Thompson

* Age: 36

* Occupation: Businessman/site council president

* Background: Beechwood Elementary School Site Council president. Founded Maple Elementary School K-6 Committee--advocacy group started with goal of opening Maple to grades K-6. Business management experience.

* Issues: District is growing by half an elementary school a year. Advance high standards in education. Improve facilities and technology. Implement a 20-to-1 ratio in all K-3 grades.

Lynn D. Thornley

* Age: 46

* Occupation: Parent/community volunteer

* Background: A 19-year resident. Volunteer leadership includes president of Golden Hill, Nicolas and Fullerton Council of PTAs. School site council member. Served on task forces for elementary and high school districts.

* Issues: Expand communication among parents, teachers, classified staff and administrators. Ensure that curriculum meets academic standards and that schools are equipped with staff and technology needed to prepare students for high school.

GARDEN GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Three Elected

John F. Bankson

* Age: 49

* Occupation: Construction manager

* Background: Youth sports; Garden Grove High School Baseball Boosters Club

* Issues: Wants students to reach higher academic standards; curriculum should emphasize the basics of reading, writing and math without a hidden social agenda; establish accelerated remedial reading programs; school safety.

Clay Bock

* Age: 45

* Occupation: Jeweler

* Background: Attended almost every school board meeting for the past four years; ambassador, Chamber of Commerce; school site council

* Issues: Keep the district’s first priority as academic excellence; safeguard parental rights; replace the current elementary school math curriculum; more individual tutoring for English-language learners; establish several fundamental, traditional schools.

Zev S. Brooks

* Age: 33

* Occupation: Attorney

* Background: Volunteers at a senior center and active in a local synagogue

* Issues: Support expenditures and policies aimed at improving the classroom learning environment, including air-conditioning for schools; minimizing the effect of disruptive students; create programs that involve parents, local universities and other community members in public education.

Lynn Hamtil

* Age: 61

* Occupation: Incumbent

* Background: Former president and vice president, school board; county and state school boards; past president, Garden Grove PTA Council.

* Issues: Supports basic learning skills, keeping classrooms safe; smaller class sizes to help students develop reading and math skills; employing the highest-quality teachers; efficient operations; and supports participation among parents, other residents and employees.

Linda Paulsen

* Age: 48

* Occupation: School board president, middle school principal

* Background: Taught for 15 years; member of multiagency safe-schools task force

* Issues: Prepare diverse student population for post-high school; increase Stanford 9 test scores and English language requirements for high school graduation; maintain school safety; emphasize basics of reading, writing and math.

J. Tilman Williams

* Age: 75

* Occupation: Tutor, retired businessman

* Background: Elected twice as mayor of Garden Grove; former president, Garden Grove Band Boosters; member, Garden Grove Businessman’s Assn., Elks and Lions clubs

* Issues: Wants to spend tax dollars wisely; plans to return half of his payments as a board member into a student fund; buy more computers and classroom equipment; teach respect to students.

Kerri Weisenberger

* Age: 40

* Occupation: Parent and community volunteer

* Background: President, School Site Council; school volunteer; district’s Promotion, Retention Task Force and Site Utilization Committee

* Issues: Restore high academic standards; end bilingual education; increase local control; supports “back-to-basics” education, parental and teachers’ rights; emphasize high school math and science

HUNTINGTON BEACH UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Elected

John L. Gibson

* Age: 32

* Occupation: Corporate compliance auditor

* Background: Volunteered on various local political campaigns; bachelor’s degree in international business from Cal State Dominguez Hills; Army veteran; Dog Beach cleanup volunteer; Bolsa Chica wetlands cleanup volunteer

* Issues: Improve intellectual skills of students; place parents at center of children’s education and bring fiscal accountability to the district; reach higher academic achievement for all students; place greater emphasis on math, English and science

Susan Henry

* Age: 44

* Occupation: Registered nurse

* Background: Education foundation president; associate degree of nursing from Santa Ana College; president of the Fountain Valley High School Foundation; Huntington Beach Union High School District strategic planning committee and curriculum committee

* Issues: Wants to find balance between restoring and repairing the district’s aging facilities and maintaining student access to current programs; improve communication, community involvement, teacher dedication and community confidence in district

Debbie Holmes

* Age: 48

* Occupation: Business owner

* Background: Whittier College; fire/life insurance agent license; ambassador chairman to the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce; secretary of Women’s Council of Realtors for two years; foster parent for 20 years

* Issues: Would like children to have an educational environment that is safe, well-balanced with knowledge-based critical thinking and an opportunity to attend the school of their choice; priorities are staff training and teacher support; wants to develop sound fiscal plan to eliminate the necessity of bonds

Marjorie Carolyn O’Neill

* Age: 32

* Occupation: Adoption social worker

* Background: Sunday-school teacher for two years; volunteer for activities to support foster children; volunteer for health care reform and on candidates’ campaigns in local elections; bachelor degree in psychology and master’s in clinical psychology

* Issues: Believes in a traditional education that places a priority on English and arithmetic; wants to better prepare students for the challenges of working in a time of rapid technological growth; improve the condition of the buildings

Michael H. Simons

* Age: 56

* Occupation: Podiatrist, incumbent board member

* Background: Trustee for nine years; president of the Orange County Podiatric Medical Assn.; Huntington Beach Community Services Commission for eight years; board of directors for the Educational Enrichment Foundation; Huntington Beach High School site council

* Issues: Wants to enable students to become independent thinkers; prepare students to pass the new High School Exit Exam while continuing above-average SAT and AP scores; continue to maintain and upgrade facilities with available funds

Khosrow (Ted) Tadayon

* Age: 53

* Occupation: Teacher

* Background: Bachelor’s degree from Ohio Christian College; master’s from Queens College of New York; doctorate and master’s of education from Columbia University; has written and spoken on intercultural or international politics

* Issues: Believes that the district must rethink its mission and methods to improve students’ performance; restructure the education system; wants to properly educate children in the face of innumerable social forces that adversely affect the young; change the district’s process of hiring and evaluating teachers

IRVINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Three Elected

Woody Beckman

* Age: 55

* Occupation: Financial consultant

* Background: Moved to Irvine in 1977 because of its outstanding schools. Helped in fund-raising at daughters’ schools more than 10 years.

* Issues: Rebuild morale among teachers and staff members and regain the district’s adopted vision for quality education; boost enrichment programs in arts, sciences and more; improve communications between schools and community.

Sandy Hayman

* Age: 47

* Occupation: Litigation manager

* Background: Irvine resident for 16 years, active parent including four years on Brywood School Site Council, as PTA legislative action representative and as site chair for Measure A and Measure B parcel-tax campaigns. Twenty years’ experience negotiating and reviewing contracts.

* Issues: Lobby the government to get fair share of state and federal funding; encourage communication among teachers, administrators and the community.

Sue Kuwabara

* Age: 49

* Occupation: Parent/PTA leader

* Background: Irvine Public Schools Foundation’s 1999-2000 High School Volunteer of the Year. Mother of four, experience lobbying Sacramento for local school funding. Member, school district facilities committee.

* Issues: Attract and retain top-quality teachers. Ensure conservative fiscal management and accountability, and increase community and staff input on budget and policy matters.

Carolyn McInerney

* Age: 46

* Occupation: President, Irvine Public Schools Foundation

* Background: District’s Future Planning Committee and Strategic Planning Team. President, Stone Creek PTA; board member, Irvine Unified PTA Council; member, Woodbridge High athletic boosters.

* Issues: To ensure the future success of our public schools system with competitive salaries for teachers. Set up strategic financial plan to ensure funding for current programs.

Salvatore Morreale

* Age: 48

* Occupation: Stockbroker

* Background: Ten-year resident, with two children in district high schools. Past chairman of the district’s Advisory Finance Committee and its Community Action Committee.

* Issues: Promote cooperation, communication and collaboration between parents, teachers and administrators; lobby and fight for our fair share of funding from Sacramento.

Karen J. Preston

* Age: 42

* Occupation: Incumbent, teacher

* Background: Board member since 1996. Member Excellence in Irvine Committee. Resident since 1988.

* Issues: Fiscal responsibility. Save our programs and teachers and find a way to pay for it; protect such valuable programs as music, arts and science; maintain decentralized school sites to make sure they make the decisions that affect their schools.

Lev Sadovnik

* Age: 44

* Occupation: Scientist

* Background: Came to this country 11 years ago from Ukraine. Doctorate in electrical engineering from USC. Irvine resident since 1996. Daughter is senior at University High. Son is 2.

* Issues: Strive to improve the quality of education with a more structured curriculum; recruit and retain the best teachers with competitive salaries and provide financial incentives to get teachers to learn more and improve their skills; have teachers who majored in the subjects they teach.

LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Elected

Ali Abdolsalehi

* Age: 22

* Occupation: Computer infrastructure analyst

* Background: Self-employed in the field of computers and cyber-integration; a graduate of Laguna Beach schools; now pursuing bachelor’s degree.

* Issues: Wants to reduce student drug use; set up more recreation programs; improve teacher standards; offer Internet-based curriculum; increase the amount of teaching time per day; encourage fellow school board members to involve themselves directly with the students and administrators; bring vision and integrity to board

El Hathaway

* Age: n/a

* Occupation: Financial consultant

* Background: A 19-year resident of Laguna Beach and the parent of two sons attending Laguna Beach schools; served as 1999-2000 president of SchoolPower; member of the F.A.C.T. Team that helped correct problems of the school district’s financial crisis; a financial consultant and former public utility executive

* Issues: Wants to focus on communication with parents and the public; improve relations with teachers; strengthen curriculum, particularly music and spelling in kindergarten through fifth grade, and writing in sixth through eighth grade. Favors providing oversight to avoid a repeat of financial disruption. Wants to repair and modernize district’s aging facilities

William “Bill” Hajdu

* Age: 53

* Occupation: Retired military officer, teacher

* Background: Substitute teacher for seven years; life member of World Future Society; Eagle Scout; tutor; crossing guard; Little League coach

* Issues: Wants to increase teacher salaries; modernize school facilities; promote harmony and communication among board members, the community and district officials

Jan Vickers

* Age: 53

* Occupation: Substitute teacher

* Background: Teacher, school administrator and artist; licensed foster parent; a former Laguna Beach school board trustee; 34-year Laguna Beach resident; PTA site councils, curriculum committees and classroom volunteer

* Issues: Wants to guide direction of district rather than dictate, adhere to open-meeting requirements; increase public communication at board meetings; use more classroom aides; increase instructional time

Lee Winocur Field

* Age: n/a

* Occupation: Retired teacher, educational researcher

Background: An educator for 23 years at public schools in California; coordinator for innovative programs for county Department of Education; doctorate in human behavior with a specialty in educational leadership from U.S. International University in San Diego; founder of educational research corporation

* Issues: Wants every child to graduate with the skills essential to compete in today’s global economy; favors fiscal stability and comprehensive policies. Wants a rigorous curriculum in basic skills that promotes problem solving and critical thinking. Favors giving teachers access to the latest technology and excellent training. Wants facility renovations

LOS ALAMITOS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Three Elected

Meg Cutuli

* Age: 50

* Occupation: Business manager

* Background: Former PTA Council president; former McGaugh Elementary PTA president; former McAuliffe Middle School PTA president; former parent representative on curriculum steering committee

* Issues: Wants to use Stanford 9 results to identify problem areas for individual students and give intensive lessons to correct problems; use scores to address districtwide curriculum problems; better communication and accessibility between parents and the board

Robert “Bob” Haub

* Age: 60

* Occupation: Retired Southern California Edison analyst; part-time University of Phoenix professor

* Background: Thirty-year resident; four of six children attended Los Alamitos schools; BA and MBA teaching credentials

* Issues: Supports settling teacher salary negotiations as soon as possible; establishing a seven- to 10-year financial plan

Jack Healy

* Age: 74

* Occupation: Retired contracts/marketing manager

* Background: Former Walnut Valley Unified School District member

* Issues: Wants to raise academic achievement with more emphasis on reading, writing and student study; keep classroom technology current; address drug and safety problems

Lorraine K. Navarro

* Age: 44

* Occupation: Business development manager; parent

* Background: Member of several district committees including Create the Future and legislative action

* Issues: Wants to develop a long-term plan that includes budget, enrollment and academic excellence; improve communication with community using improved Internet media

Michael D. Pintek

* Age: 53

* Occupation: attorney; self-employed

* Background: Former Apartment Assn. of Southern California Cities president; former LATV Channel 3 board chair and current chief financial officer

* Issues: Improve academic scores through better emphasis on reading, writing and math; set up long-range financial planning; reasonable caps on student enrollment; more dialogue among community members

Joseph E. Ribal

* Occupation: Marriage and family therapist

* Background: Former University of Illinois and Cal State Long Beach teacher/counselor; Huntington Beach Union High School District board member for two terms; former Orange County Fair board member and president

* Issues: Wants to strengthen communication between teachers and families; enhance curriculum and basic skills; keep schools safe

Virginia F. Wilson

* Age: 60* Occupation: Incumbent board member

* Background: Former board president for five terms; legislative action committee

chair; curriculum steering committee member

* Issues: Wants to work with government at all levels to develop a long-term financial plan; school property to be available for community uses; raising of student expectations and standards

NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Trustee Area 3

Martha G. Fluor

* Age: 49

* Occupation: Currently a publishing administrator for Entertainment Publicity Inc. Fluor has just accepted a position as the fund development consultant for the Mardan School for Special Education in Irvine.

* Background: Foundation board for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, on Girl Scouts board of directors for Orange County, the KOCE-TV foundation board and support group for Big Brothers/Big Sisters; bachelor of science in social sciences from San Diego State; teaching credentials in elementary education and education of the learning disabled from Chapman University

* Issues: Repair bathrooms throughout the district and perform work at Ensign Intermediate and TeWinkle Middle schools; wants to revisit the issue of zero tolerance policies

Ila Johnson

* Age: 66

* Occupation: Retired dental hygienist

* Background: Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from UCSF; volunteer at St. Joachim Church former volunteer for the Red Cross and a dental clinic.

* Issues: Advocates complete return to phonics instruction for reading, and provide English immersion classes for students not fluent; bond money should go to district’s oldest campuses first, Ensign specifically; would uphold zero-tolerance policy but wants to see more counseling incorporated

OCEAN VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Elected

Barbara Ann Boskovich

* Age: 53

* Occupation: Community volunteer

* Background: School, youth sports volunteer; worked with Special Olympics; coordinated initiative against the Wal-Mart project at Crest View school site; worked on initiative against eminent domain in downtown Huntington Beach

* Issues: Wants to restore the district’s innovative standards; create partnerships with community teachers, opening lines of communication; promote schools that are safe and healthy; provide factual information; assure full accountability to teachers, staff, parents and taxpayers; improve compensation for teachers; identify realistic financial objectives

Peg Edey

* Age: 46

* Occupation: Teacher, incumbent board member

* Background: District trustee; art teacher for Meet the Masters; bachelor’s degree in fine arts and social science from San Diego State; elementary school teaching credentials; president of Superintendent’s Round-Table; president of elementary and middle school PTSA and PTA

* Issues: Wants to give children the best education possible, meet the needs of each student, keep up with the demographic changes and technological growth in the district

Andrea Graboff

* Age: 47

* Occupation: Physical therapist

* Background: Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Cal State Long Beach; 15 years as a PTA board and/or committee member; chairwoman of two committees for the 2000-01 PTSA at Marina High School; Huntington Beach Union High School District Open Enrollment Task Force; textbook adoption committees; volunteer for City of Hope, Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity

* Issues: Work toward class-size reduction, integration of technology, academic excellence and improved facilities; fiscal responsibility and accountability; address a projected teacher shortage; support efforts to recruit quality educators; provide new teacher support, staff development and competitive wages

Pam Ogdon

* Age: 39

* Occupation: Community volunteer, homemaker

* Background: Works with schools on educational programs, including those for at-risk students; five years as PTO president and board member; bachelor’s degree in political science from UC Irvine; AYSO volunteer; team parent for baseball, soccer and basketball

* Issues: Committed to the academic success of each student; use multiple measures to determine whether a student has mastered grade-level standards; provide intervention strategies to help at-risk students succeed, including a mandatory summer school program; structure teacher benefits to attract and retain the best educators; further establish business partnerships

Jim Peters

* Age: 44

* Occupation: Educational consultant

* Background: Participated in congressional campaigns; testified before Congress to improve funding and laws pertaining to education; served as advisor to Judy Heumann, assistant secretary of education, and U.S. senators and congressman about educational issues

* Issues: Small classes, supported teachers, updated technology and parent participation; programs that stress strong academics, art, music and good values; ease overcrowding in portable classrooms; develop a program for rewarding exceptional teachers, while modifying the tenure system to remove incompetent teachers swiftly

SADDLEBACK VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Three Elected

Suzie Swartz

* Age: 49

* Occupation: Preschool teacher; businesswoman

* Background: Graduated from UCLA; has 25 years experience in marketing and communications; served on several school district committees; volunteered for PTA; has two sons attending district schools

* Issues: Wants the school district to have more control of how government funds are spent; wants to promote communication between parents and school staff; supports more parent participation in schools

Don Sedgwick

* Age: 35

* Occupation: Incumbent, school board president, CEO of jewelry distribution company

* Background: Graduated from Brigham Young University; taught at a center for learning development; president of the Orange County School Boards Assn.

* Issues: Wants to improve Stanford 9 test scores and academic achievement; supports a program that would give parents online access to a daily report on their child’s progress; supports after-school and summer-school programs for children who need help

Winston L. Frost

* Age: 42

* Occupation: Dean of Trinity Law School, attorney

* Background: Served as San Clemente High School’s student representative to the Capistrano Unified Board of Trustees; taught at high school, university and law school levels.

* Issues: Wants school board meetings to be televised; wants to increase the time limit for public speakers at school board meetings; wants board meetings to be more civil; wants to provide an alternative voice on the school board

Ginny Aitkens

* Age: 50

* Occupation: School volunteer

* Background: Graduated from Cal State Los Angeles; has worked in the district for 18 years as a classroom volunteer and a member of school site councils; worked as a religious education teacher

* Issues: Wants to increase collaboration between parents and teachers; wants to place more emphasis on average students; wants to push for more federal and state grants for the district; wants to recruit and retain quality teachers

SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Three Elected

Rosemarie “Rosie” Avila

* Age: 52

* Occupation: Incumbent board member, teacher

* Background: Biola University trustee; certified Stanford testing administrator; supported eighth-grade U.S. Constitution exam and adding phonics and spelling to district report cards

* Issues: Wants to improve reading scores and computer skills; enhance district discipline policies; return school schedules to traditional or single cycles; cut unnecessary administration; build a fundamental high school

Nativo V. Lopez

* Age: 48

* Occupation: Incumbent board member, director of nonprofit Hermandad Mexicana Nacional

* Background: As a board member, supported $350-million school bond, development of four new fundamental schools, addition of the Orange County High School of the Arts to the district and creation of alternative day school

* Issues: Wants majority of district schools to follow traditional schedule; bring college courses to district high schools and improve college preparation for students; develop programs to improve English language learning

Roland Lujan

* Age: 40

* Occupation: School district stock clerk

* Background: Member school site council, district’s bond committee; president Parent Faculty Organization; Parent of the Year at daughter’s elementary school; nominated for district’s Parent of the Year award

Issues: Would like district to consider building second-story classrooms onto school buildings to accommodate class-size reduction rather than using portable classrooms; review English language programs; consider dual-immersion programs districtwide

Lupe O. Moreno

* Age: 42

* Occupation: County public health care immunization specialist

* Background: Served as a district education assistant

Issues: Would like to open more fundamental schools; expedite opening new schools; improve school libraries and technology training; enhance art and music programs; focus on back-to-basics curriculum; increase college admissions for district students

Jaime Vega Rodriguez

* Age: Not available

* Occupation: Mediator; consultant

* Background: Not available

* Issues: Not available

Nora Garcia

* Age: 37

* Occupation: Teacher, assistant principal

* Background: Doctorate in education, administration and leadership, master’s degree in education and psychology; bachelor’s degree from UC Irvine in humanities; taught elementary school for 10 years; volunteer tutor in Santa Ana elementary schools

* Issues: Increase high-quality academic programs, review current curriculum, improve academic achievement, eliminate dropout rates by implementing single track year-round programs; increase test scores by curricular alignment

Audrey Yamagata Noji

* Age: 48

* Occupation: Incumbent board member, college administrator

* Background: Licensed family therapist with a doctorate in education and a master’s degree in counseling; during her time on the board, the district has opened 16 schools, increased the number of district students entering college

* Issues: Would like to create mandatory parent workshops; establish methods for accountability in district’s decision-making process; develop a more aggressive approach to building schools; continue class-size reduction

Lucy Santana

* Age: 32

* Occupation: Youth program director

* Background: Chairwoman of Youth Leadership Committee, a subcommittee of city’s Empowerment Zone; involved in development of Santa Ana’s Youth Commission, Project Pride gang diversion program, tutoring intermediate schools

* Issues: Wants to improve test scores and increase technology in the schools; ensure parent and community involvement in district issues; develop partnerships between schools and local businesses; strengthen relationships between the district and universities

Sal Tinajero

* Age: 29

* Occupation: Teacher

* Background: Teaches at Lathrop Intermediate School; named 1999 Junior Achievement Middle School Teacher of the Year

* Issues: Wants to continue class-size reduction; improve students’ language skills; raise reading and math scores above the state average; integrate technology into classroom curriculum; increase parent involvement; implement a comprehensive college preparation program

TUSTIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Three Elected

Mike Gray

* Age: 44

* Occupation: Telecommunications account manager

* Background: Attended public schools in Tustin; has served on the Foothill High School education fund board; served on the Orange County North Tustin Advisory Committee

* Issues: Wants to change the district’s “zero-tolerance” policy to give school principals more control; wants to improve test scores and facilities; wants to raise teacher salaries; wants to raise stipends given to teachers who work as sports coaches, club leaders and band leaders

Francine Pace Scinto

* Age: 49

* Occupation: Incumbent board member, business owner

* Background: MBA degree; has served on the school board for four years; serves as district’s representative to the California Assn. of Large Suburban School Districts

* Issues: Wants to raise test scores in middle and high schools; wants to increase student participation in Model United Nations, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs; wants to increase academic standards of vocational programs; wants vocational programs to focus on technology

Tammie Bullard

* Age: 37

* Occupation: Incumbent board member, business owner

* Background: Has served on the school board for four years

* Issues: Not available

Ann Albertson

* Age: 39

* Occupation: Incumbent school board president

* Background: Graduated from district schools; was elected to the California School Boards Assn. Delegate Assembly; has served on the school board for four years

* Issues: Wants to continue raising student test scores and achievement; wants the district to build new schools and renovate older schools; wants to enforce strict discipline policies to ensure safe schools; wants to do more for students who are middle-range achievers

WESTMINSTER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Elected

Ryal L. Wheeler

* Age: 45

* Occupation: Maintenance supervisor, Orange County Sanitation District

* Background: President, Midway City Chamber of Commerce; homeowners association; past president, Warner Middle School’s PTA; chairman, school site council; Westminster School District advisory council

* Issues: Concerned about the state’s use of the Academic Performance Index scores that rank schools; make sure special education needs are met with more state and federal money; accountability for students and teachers; improving test scores

Jo-Ann W. Purcell

* Age: 65

* Occupation: Long Beach schoolteacher, parent

* Background: As a park and recreation leader, worked with senior citizens and preschool children; elementary school teacher; member, American Assn. of University Women

* Issues: Supports instruction in English; recruiting and keeping credentialed teachers; teaching new technology at all grade levels; emphasizes reading and phonics; zero tolerance for drugs

Judith A. “Judy” Ahrens

* Age: 55

* Occupation: Private tutor, businesswoman and community leader

* Background: Member, Westminster Community Advisory Group; PTA, school site council and social studies textbook selection committee; neighborhood watch block leader; volunteer, various city, county, state and school board election campaigns; taught youth leadership programs; ran an in-home day-care and children’s tutoring business

* Issues: Wants higher academic standards; more administrative and fiscal accountability; eliminate bureaucracy and social service programs; implement strong phonics-based reading programs; supports curriculum emphasizing “the basics,” school uniforms and traditional family values in the classroom; create a greater decision-making role for parents

Sergio Contreras

* Age: 26

* Occupation: Executive assistant, administrator

* Background: Volunteer, Orange County Juvenile Hall; past chairman, fund-raising committee for a youth leadership conference

* Issues: Improve basic math and reading skills; increase parent participation; create an additional after-school tutoring program; integrate technology into classrooms; continue to reduce class sizes; increase student safety; reward and support teachers

Helena Rutkowski

* Age: Not available

* Occupation: Incumbent board member

* Background: Westminster Mobilehome Commission; classroom volunteer; member, Westminster Beautification Committee, American Businesswoman’s Assn. and PTA; former Girl Scout leader

* Issues: Increase efforts to provide a safe learning environment; stress phonics reading instruction; supports math curriculum in which the “right” answer is still important

James L. Reed

* Age: 52

* Occupation: Clinical laboratory scientist

* Background: Reed is still listed on the ballot although he has been appointed to a seat on the board and is no longer a candidate

* Issues: Supports class-size reduction for all grades and teacher education; wants to bring new technologies into the district; be responsive to parents’ concerns about the issues and challenges of educating their children; against withholding state funds based on test scores