Candidates Give Their Views on Education

Nine candidates for board of trustee posts will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot in two San Gabriel Valley community college districts.

Five candidates are seeking two seats on the Mt. San Antonio College board and two districts of the Rio Hondo College board each have two candidates.

Candidates say the most important issue is maintaining services in the face of state community college funding cutbacks.

While two said that, if elected, they had plans to develop alternate sources of funding, most focused on making tough choices on which programs should be maintained.

Mt. San Antonio Community College District

3 seats

Barbara W. Booth, 44, 10-year incumbent and current board president, administrator and part-time history professor at Rio Hondo College.

Foresees tough times ahead because of state budget cuts; wants to cut administration and

More candidate profiles on Thursday

maintenance but retain current educational programs.

“I want to help keep Mt. SAC the wonderful school it is.”

Chris L. Gilbertson, 31, political activist, former student body assistant treasurer at Cal Poly Pomona, delegate to 1991 California Republican Party Convention.

Seeks to decrease student fees to 1988 levels; wants to increase the number of remedial courses.

“Every time you raise fees, you’re denying access to some students who can’t afford the increase.”

Howard H. Hawkins, 76, three-term incumbent, manufacturer and salesman of chemical fertilizer, member of the Covina Community Hospital board and the Colorado River Water board, 15-year past member of Covina City Council.

Sees no burning issues in the campaign; says the only problem is the state’s deficit and the general shortage of educational funds.

“We have a well-run college that’s here to give our young people an education.”

LeRoy W. (Roy) McDaniel, 64, retired surgeon, surgical consultant and part-time commercial pilot, directed campaign that raised $500,000 for a Mt. SAC airport classroom/

facility, former Rotary Club District Governor.

Says his fund-raising experience will develop alternate sources besides the state.

“I am experienced in fund raising and in the acquisition of new funds.”

G. Stanton Selby, 71, retired, Mt. SAC instructor of 37 years, Mayor of Pomona, 1983-1987.

Wants to improve communication between board and the rest of the college; seeks to become only board representative from eastern portion of the district.

“Board members should not be in an ivory tower.”

Rio Hondo Community College District

Area No. 4

1 seat

Alex Morales, 40, elementary school principal, state president of Assn. of Mexican-American Educators, member of Governor’s California Hispanic Advisory Council.

Seeks to improve communication within district; wants to develop partnerships with business, multicultural programs and on-campus child-care.

“If the administration, the faculty and students all feel good about the school, it improves the working and learning environment.”

Edward D. Ortell, 72, college lecturer in astronomy, retired Air Force colonel, educator from a family of educators.

Wants to strengthen vocational programs in electronics and computers; seeks to ensure the success of students transferring to four-year colleges.

“I would like to do something for education because education has done so much for me.”

Rio Hondo Community College District

Area No. 2

1 seat

Bill E. Hernandez, two-term incumbent: declined to provide information on himself or his candidacy.

Maria Elena Martinez, 43, East Los Angeles College dean, board member for St. Marianne’s Catholic School, 13 years in college administration.

Supports programs to enhance student retention and to promote transfers to four-year colleges; wants to maintain programs which provide for a well-rounded education.

“Recruitment’s been a high concern, but now we’ve got to maintain and retain students.”

In other school elections:

Azusa Unified School District

2 seats

Ilean Ochoa, 60, curriculum clerk, 30-year employee of Azusa School District, PTA president of every grade level and council president, representative to Sacramento for Azusa district.

Sees parents as the key to encourage children to move forward in a diversified world; wants to strengthen the students ties with home.

“Even with a lack of funds we can encourage students to compete in the world.”

Elizabeth Pruszynski, 53, instructional aide at Azusa High School, in special education 11 years, a parent.

Seeks better communication between the board and the community; wants more vocational training, better discipline, more parental involvement.

“Board members should be accessible at all times.”

Alberto (Al) Prado, 35, paralegal/notary, product of Azusa schools.

Wants schools to be good for his children; would build parental support; involve outside business and the retired; emphasize basics; maintain options for academic, vocational, military careers.

“I don’t want our schools to be considered a six-hour day-care center.”

Richard M. Montes, 49, general contractor, 40-year resident and product of Azusa schools, board member and coach for Jr. All-American football and Little League, Teen Post director, PTA president, president of Azusa Sister City Committee, member Knights of Columbus.

Stands for “back-to-basics” and more after-school activities.

“Involvement with the community gives me a greater understanding of the children.”

Jose L. Torres, 50, appointed incumbent, mechanical engineer/accountant, Azusa High School graduate, U.S. Air Force veteran, youth football/soccer coach, bilingual teacher’s aide; PTO officer, member Azusa Sister City Committee.

Would promote back-to-basics, parent involvement in behavior and training of the child; willing to spend whatever time necessary to improve the quality of education.

James Hayford, declined to state age, teacher in Monrovia, 1991 education graduate of Claremont Graduate School, PTA president.

Considers himself a “student-centered educator;” campaigning jointly with John Harris. “I am in the classroom, and on the playground every weekday with the people who make up our next generation.”

William Everton, withdrew from the race; supporting Torres and Montes.

Hector Royball, 38, advertising business owner, parent, instrumental in getting foreign language immersion program instituted in schools.

Believes schools should go beyond Three Rs to teach skills in linguistics (including bilingual), social, mechanical, structural, musical, physical, moral, math and computer areas.

“Our children need to be learning at every one of these levels.”

John Harris, 23, substitute teacher in many district schools, has completed graduate work in education, undergraduate work in political science and sociology, works with youth groups.

Wants to continue “hard-core” anti-drug and literacy programs; seeks a “moral education rooted in the basics yet extending to equip young people to take on a technological society” and multicultural and bilingual education.

Jesse Butanda, 37, parent, maintenance worker, pursuing bachelor’s degree, involved in PTA for 17 years, school site council member at Gladstone and Center, band booster member, 12 years in the military.

Wants to institute programs to help students become productive citizens, improve literacy.

“There are too many children who can’t read, write and do basic math problems.”

Daryl Sanchez, 24, medical-legal editor for a defense group, worked as a medical technician for two years.

Wants people to get together to solve problems; wants to teach kids how to adapt so that they can function in the real world.

“My priority is to get people involved.”

Glendora Unified School District

2 seats

Peggy B. Harding, 64, eight-year incumbent, college instructor, has been an educator for 42 years (17 in Glendora), elected delegate to the California School Board Assn.

Says she has background and understanding of school problems; biggest challenge is to prepare students for an unknown future.

“They’ll have to learn skills we haven’t dreamed of yet.”

Patricia A. Johansen, 44, real estate agent, parent, active in PTA and school site council, safety chair for the council.

Wants to implement a disaster plan; wants educational reform with high expectation of all students, not just a privileged few.

“We need thinking individuals.”

Doris M. Blum, 58, eight-year incumbent, volunteer/homemaker, PTA member 20 years.

Says PTA is a good training ground for the board, not being an educator brings a useful perspective; visits schools regularly; works with elected officials to improve educational funding.

“We have to get them to address problems at a local level.”

Frederick (Fred) Henning, 51, mortgage broker and educator (part-time teacher).

“The kids are first, and I want to see that they have the best of everything.”

Mountain View School District

2 seats

James Galvan, 69, 30-year incumbent, retired, 40-year El Monte resident, both sons went through school district.

Believes in a well-balanced academic program; wants to encourage parents to participate in children’s education.

“We have an excellent school district. I’m proud of the students.”

Georgina Caraveo, 64, retired educator, member of District Advisory Committee for 11 years, former Citrus College instructor and consultant for Duarte.

Wants to stop wasteful spending and redirect money to children’s education; hire more teachers and reduce class size; bring teachers, community and board together.

“The board needs to think about what the community wants.”

Armando Esparza, 45, appointed incumbent, works for L.A. County Children’s Service, 20-year resident of El Monte, served with city and state advisory boards.

Wants fiscal accountability, a diversified curriculum and a strategic plan for growth to encompass increasing Latino and Asian populations.

Wants “excellence in education for children.”

Margie Ruiz, 51, homemaker, had three children go through the system, school volunteer, PTA member, treasurer of band boosters at Kranz Intermediate.

Opposed to board spending $1.3 million on an administrative building; believes money could be put to use that would better help children.

“If they don’t get a chance now, I don’t even want to know what the future will be like.”