Vying for Ocean View Board

Seven candidates are seeking to fill two openings on the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees. A quick glance:

THE DISTRICT

Area: Includes all of Huntington Beach, parts of Fountain Valley and Westminster

Enrollment: 9,400 students

Facilities: 11 elementary and four middle schools

Issues: Candidates are debating merits of putting stronger emphasis on back-to-basics teaching methods

Number on Board: Five

THE CANDIDATES

Gordon Busch

Age: 44

Occupation: Machinery manufacturer

Background: Former president of Ocean View Parents Council; former chairman of Community Budget Advisory Committee

Major issues: Challenge students with curriculum that is relevant to workplace; push for changes in district finance procedures and classroom technology funding

Robert Cheek

Age: 55

Occupation: Financial analyst

Background: 20 years’ experience in budget and business analysis

Major issues: Bring back “comprehensive” phonics and conventional mathematics instructional methods and allow parents to choose English-only instruction

Peg Edey

Age: 42

Occupation: Educator and homemaker

Background: Instructional Advisory Committee member, former member of district committees dealing with budget, integration, history and social science, health and at-risk students

Major issues: Keep a “balanced perspective” on teaching methods in contrast to call for uniform back-to-basics instructional methods

Linda Kovach

Age: 48

Occupation: Vice president of Outdoor Enterprises Inc.

Background: Former elementary-school teacher;

classroom volunteer and teacher’s aide; volunteer with community youth groups and school athletic teams; began foundation for elementary school marine education

Major issues: Look at all sides of educational issues, “not just one agenda”; balance back-to-basics teaching methods with broad educational goals

Jim Peters

Age: 40

Occupation: Educational consultant

Background: Experience as a representative of parents of gifted and disabled students

Major issues: Safe schools; class-size reduction; school accountability and access to technology for all students

Bill Prescott

Age: 35

Occupation: Consultant engineer

Background: President, Hope View Elementary School site council; member, Mesa View Middle School site council; school volunteer

Major issues: Continue to emphasize basics at elementary school level, maintain and develop integrated curriculum, expand technology and improve middle school facilities

Tom Shilton

Age: 47

Occupation: Real estate appraiser

Background: Former middle and high school teacher; school volunteer

Major issues: Keep curriculum strong without limiting educational methods; implement district educational technology program

Source: Individual candidates