Fullerton Joint Union High School District

Three people are running at large for two seats on the Fullerton Joint Union High School District board in the Nov. 3 election.

Bill Dunton

Age: 63.

Occupation: Retired teacher.

Background: Taught in the school district for 30 years; five-time president of the Fullerton Secondary Teachers Organization; served on several district committees.

Priorities: Make sure budget cuts do not affect classroom instruction; revive the elective program in the district; create a school site committee that would evaluate everything from curriculum to campus facilities.

Barbara Kilponen

Age: 51.

Occupation: Incumbent, community volunteer.

Background: Served as PTA president for several schools; served on several district task forces.

Priorities: See implementation of the locker-room renovation plan; upgrade technological equipment for both faculty and students; use business community to enhance programs for students who are not academically challenged; increase community involvement in decision making.

Joe Merlo

Age: 53.

Occupation: Incumbent, retired teacher and school administrator.

Background: Teacher for 25 years; principal for 12 years of Sonora High School; school board member for 11 years and board member of the district’s Regional Occupation Program for 11 years.

Priorities: Research ways for improving school funding; evaluate the changing demographics of the schools and train staff to meet the needs of the new ethnic minorities; evaluate the curriculum and adopt innovative techniques academically and vocationally; decrease class size.