Saddleback Valley Unified Board Candidates

Seven candidates, including three incumbents, are campaigning for three open seats on the board of Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The election and the district at a glance:

THE DISTRICT

Boundaries: Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, Foothill Ranch and Trabuco Canyon

Enrollment: 31,854 in kindergarten through 12th grade

Facilities: Four high schools, one continuation high school, four intermediate schools, 25 elementary schools

Board members: Five

THE CANDIDATES

Marcia L. Birch

Age: 46

Occupation: Homemaker

Background: Incumbent, elected in 1988; business management background; National Charity League member; school site advisory council member; community, PTA and school volunteer

Major issues: Ensure local control of district; improve communication among community, district, parents, students and teachers; strengthen parental involvement in schools; continue to improve students’ test scores

Sandie

Franklin Gonzales

Age: 51

Occupation: Homemaker, retired teacher

Background: Member, PTA, PTSO, Mission Viejo Historical Society, Mike Rush Memorial Committee, National Assn. for Education of Young Children; church and community volunteer

Major issues: Ensure public schools stay public; pursue federal and state grants and funds to build new classrooms; support back-to-basics curriculum and improved technology training for students; promote community business partnerships in education

David C. Greene

Age: 61

Occupation: Retired aerospace manager, consultant

Background: Member, California Republican Assembly of South Orange County; church and community volunteer

Major issues: Put more financial resources directly into classroom; strengthen curriculum, especially in math and reading; reduce fees for extracurricular activities and busing; improve test scores; maintain safe schools; oppose tax increases

Wayne R. Hogrefe

Age: 45

Occupation: Biomedical scientist

Background: Junior college professor; El Toro high school athletic and academic booster; AYSO and community volunteer

Major issues: Pursue federal

and state grants to build classrooms and enhance district technology and science departments; continue high academic standards and back-to-basics curriculum; ensure safe, secure school environment

Debbie Hughes

Age: 43

Occupation: Homemaker, educator

Background: Incumbent, elected in 1992; Lake Forest Little League and AYSO volunteer; president, Conservative School Board Caucus; president and founder, Family Action Network

Major issues: Implement back-to-basics education through phonics instruction; increase graduation grade-point average requirements; create classroom supply budget for teachers; ensure local control of schools; stop accepting federal funding

Don Sedgwick

Age: 31

Occupation: Executive vice president of a retail company

Background: Business and financial management background; Boy Scouts and community volunteer; former instructor for youth with learning disabilities

Major issues: Focus district and board on needs and interests of children; improve student test scores and technology skills; maintain safe and disciplined school environment; encourage parent participation in schools; make fiscally conservative budget decisions

Frank L. Ury

Age: 32

Occupation: Engineering manager

Background: Incumbent, elected in 1992; voted Orange County Republican Party locally elected official of 1993; member, Commission for the Establishment of Academic Content and Performance Standards

Major issues: Implement back-to-basics curriculum through math and phonics instruction; increase graduation requirements; cut district overhead and administration costs; reduce parent fees for extracurricular activities and busing; oppose tax increases

Source: Individual candidates; Researched by KIMBERLY BROWER / For The Times