Kathleen Iverson

Name: Kathleen Iverson

Age: 60 years

Birthplace: Westminster (actually St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange, there was no hospital closer then)

Residence: 8441 Sterling Way, Westminster

Occupation: retired science and math teacher

Education: bachelor’s degree in chemistry, master’s degree chemistry teaching certificate from Cal State Fullerton

Experience as an educator: I taught at Westminster High School for more than 30 years. During that time I taught math and science (chemistry, physics, integrated math), served as the Huntington Beach Union High School District science curriculum specialist, science department coordinator and the MERITS math/science magnet coordinator. I have experience building master schedules, building and managing budgets, and worked to gain funding through both political actions and grant writing.

I also served on School Site Council and the HBUHSD Strategic Planning Committee.

Previously elected or appointed positions: From 1990 to 1996, I served as a school board member of the Westminster School District (K-8).

Community organizations you belong to: I belong to the Westminster Historical Society, Friends of Rancho Los Alamitos, St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church of Huntington Beach, and WHS School Site Council. Since my retirement in June 2008, I have remained active in the district as a member of the WHS 50th anniversary and the re-dedication of Boswell Field committees and MERITS Program Consultant.

Why should constituents vote for you?

The next few years will continue to be tough economic times. I have the experience in school finance, school law, negotiations and curriculum that will help the district make sound educational and fiscal decisions.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing your district and how do you plan to address it?

The biggest problem is how to spend the limited resources in the most effective and efficient manner. I plan to address this by making policy decisions based on all of the available data. Programs that are working need to be expanding. Programs that are not working need to be fixed or eliminated.

In the last year, what is one issue that you think the sitting board members handled well and why?

The sitting board has managed the resources of the district well. They were able to shift funds from multiple sources to allow teaching for the full 180 days last year.

In the last year, what is one issue the board got wrong and what would you have done differently?

The district created a summer program of elective classes that they hoped would both provide service to the community and either pay for itself or make money. The summer program did not meet the fiscal goals. I would have spent more time in planning and analysis of such a program before committing district funds.