More than 60 candidates are vying for board seats in nine of Orange County's unified school districts. Several districts are coping with sharp increases in student enrollment that might require the construction of new schools. Other issues include maintaining safe campuses and encouraging greater parental involvement.
BREA OLINDA
Boundaries: Serves Brea and a small portion of Fullerton
Enrollment: 5,704; grades K-12
Facilities: One high school, one alternative high school, one junior high school and six elementary schools
Issues: Investigators are trying to find out who altered hundreds of student transcripts at Brea Olinda High School. Board must decide how to resolve the grade-changing scandal. District is also experiencing increased enrollment.
Open seats: Four
Candidates:
* Cliff Berning
Age: 40
Occupation: Educator/businessman
Qualifications: Third grade teacher at Maywood Elementary School, Los Angeles; member of the California Republican Assn.
* Janae Brolin
Age: 43
Occupation: Homemaker
Qualifications: Served as a district volunteer for 10 years; past president of Fanning Elementary School parent organization; member of the Brea Foundation, a fund-raising group.
* Brian R. Burt
Age: 53
Occupation: Financial analyst
Qualifications: Served on school board from 1979 to 1992; Boy Scout leader; active member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
* Teresa Hampson
Age: 42
Occupation: Writer/editor
Qualifications: Former high school teacher; author of the book "Brea: Celebrating 75 Years"; former president of Fanning Elementary School parent organization.
* Kenneth A. Kegel
Age: 34
Occupation: Fifth-grade teacher
Qualifications: Vice president of Computer Using Educators program in the San Gabriel Valley; state-certified trainer of technology teachers; member of several district committees.
* Willie McMillian
Age: 44
Occupation: Business owner
Qualifications: Member of the U.S. Army Reserve; served as coach of a Brea national junior basketball team; works as school volunteer.
* Carol L. Norum
Age: 48
Occupation: High school teacher
Qualifications: President of Brea Olinda Academic Booster Club; board member of Laurel Elementary School and Brea Junior High School PTAs; member of Glenbrook Women's Club.
* Barbara R. Paxton*
Age: 48
Occupation: Community volunteer/homemaker
Qualifications: 1994-95 president-elect of the Orange County School Boards Assn.; Brea Girl Scout troop leader.
CAPISTRANO
Boundaries: Serves San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo and parts of Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita
Enrollment: 33,300; grades K-12
Facilities: 26 elementary schools, five middle schools, five high schools and an adult education center
Issues: District plans an overhaul of its organizational structure that would give more decision-making responsibilities to officials at each school site. Board must contend with rapid enrollment growth, which requires the construction of new schools.
Open seats: Two
Candidates:
Trustee Area 4
* Maurice Hansen
Age: 59
Occupation: Medical equipment business consultant
Qualifications: Founder of the Capistrano Unified School District Foundation, a fund-raising group; representative for Assemblyman Bill Morrow (R-Oceanside).
* Crystal Kochendorfer*
Age: 51
Occupation: Interior designer
Qualifications: Trustee for six years; former elementary school teacher; past president of the Orange County School Boards Assn. Trustee Area 7
* Dorsey Brause
Age: 67
Occupation: Executive vice president of Simon Greenleaf University in Anaheim
Qualifications: Former superintendent of school district in Ohio; served as president of Spring Arbor College in Michigan.
* Annette B. Gude*
Age: 64
Occupation: Homemaker
Qualifications: Trustee for 14 years; served on California School Boards Assn.; former Orange County Traffic Commissioner.
GARDEN GROVE
Boundaries: Serves most of Garden Grove and portions of Santa Ana, Anaheim, Westminster, Cypress, Stanton and Fountain Valley
Enrollment: 42,300; grades K-12 plus adult education
Facilities: 43 elementary schools, nine intermediate schools, eight high schools, two special education centers and two adult education centers
Issues: District is working to adjust its curriculum to deal with increasing ethnic diversity of its student body. Candidates want to spark greater parental involvement and maintain safe campuses.
Open seats: Two
Candidates:
* Chuck Buchanan
Age: 54
Occupation: Self-employed sales/marketing consultant
Qualifications: Serves as president of the Ralston Intermediate School PTA and as legislation director for the Garden Grove Council of PTAs.
* Terry Cantrell
Age: 41
Occupation: Principal at Bethel School
Qualifications: Has worked as an elementary school and high school teacher and principal for 20 years.
* Dick Hain*
Age: Declined to state
Occupation: Retired educator
Qualifications: School board member since 1981; worked as a teacher, principal and administrator from 1946 to 1978.
* Bob Harden
Age: 38
Occupation: TRW supervisor/project manager
