South Whittier School District

*David Gonzales Hayes

Board member since 1985

Age: 44

Residence: South Whittier

Occupation: Retired officer, L.A. County Sheriff's Department

Remarks: The most important issue facing the district is financing, he said. "As a member of the California School Board Association, I go up to Sacramento periodically and lobby for funds." As a board member, he said he is proud of helping to forge a "closer relationship with the unions. Also, when I ran the first time, the district was insolvent, and we paid back our debt one year early. We've added automation that allows us to monitor students' (test scores and attendance) throughout the year. Test scores have gone up every year, so I'm happy with what we've done." A major problem that needs to be addressed, he said, is graffiti, since district anti-graffiti efforts cost more than $100,000 a year. He opposes a proposed merger of the school system with the area's high school district unless in the future "we see that our students are being cheated at the high school level."

*Manuel R. Magana

Board member since 1989

Age: 63

Occupation: Union representative for a local custodian and service employees union

Residence: South Whittier

Remarks: He said he strongly opposes a proposed merger of the district with the area's high school school system. "I don't believe that bigger is better," he said, citing the Los Angeles Unified School District as an example. In a smaller school district, he said, the parents and community have more input and can be more involved. A father of 10 whose youngest son attends a district school, Magana said he supports increased health care for students, which would be one benefit of the state's Healthy Start preschool program. "We applied last year and didn't get it, but I have been working on this for three years and I'm confident we can get it this time around. The program would bring in extra funds for inoculations and medical problems, both physical and mental, that would put students in a better position to be able to learn."

*Tim Schneider

Board member since 1988

Age: 47

Occupation: 6th grade teacher, Whittier City School District

Residence: South Whittier

Remarks: "As president of the board, I have contact with legislators in Sacramento. We're working the best we can to try and restore some funding. I don't think that kids should have to bear 'their fair share' of the state budget, and I hate it when (state officials) say that. I guess I'm not 'reasonable' about it when it comes to kids." Schneider said he also wanted to pursue private donations to combat the effects of dwindling state funds. "We want to continue the slow process of building those relationships." He said he is proud of the rise in district test scores and the addition of new carpeting and air conditioning in most district classrooms. "I've been working hard at strengthening community support and involvement," he said. He opposes a proposed merger with the area high school system. "I don't think kids would be getting the same services they are now."

CHALLENGERS

*Elias Alvarado

Age: 53

Occupation: Independent study teacher and grant writer for Whittier Union High School District

Residence: South Whittier

Remarks: "Our greatest priority is enhancing the teacher-student learning relationship. That's where the rubber hits the road. I do not want peripheral issues, important though they may be, to take away from academic programs." He cited student transportation as an example of a service whose cost should not be allowed to encroach on funds for academics. He said the district must seek additional, creative ways to pay for transportation and other student needs. In addition, the school system must adapt its curriculum and outreach efforts to do more to combat gangs. "We have to explore the horizon, not only to find anti-gang programs that are working, but to invent things for ourselves." He also wants the district to maintain a "high profile" and improve communication with parents, "so the information goes both ways." He opposes a proposed merger of the district with the area's high school system.

*Jeff S. Baird

Age: 38

Occupation: Business attorney

Residence: South Whittier