Westminster School District Candidates

Six candidates seek two openings on the school board. Incumbent Kathleen Stirling Iverson is not running for a second term. Here’s a look at the district and those who are running:

THE DISTRICT

Area: Westminster and parts of Garden Grove, Huntington Beach and Midway City

Enrollment: 9,063

Facilities: 13 elementary and three middle/intermediate schools; one child development facility

Board members: 5

Issues: Teaching English to non-English-speaking students; managing class-size reduction; implementing technology plan for new computer equipment

THE CANDIDATES

Nancy L. Blumenthal

Age: 44

Occupation: Family law attorney

Background: Incumbent school board trustee; member, West Orange County Consortium Special Education Board; member, Foundation for Educational Excellence in Westminster, PTA member

Major issues: Oversee implementation and updating of computer technology plan; school safety; implement pilot program that would give problem students alternatives to expulsion

*

Leonard Crane

Age: 53

Occupation: Retired carpet layer

Background: Regular attendee of school board and City Council meetings; active volunteer for youth sports

Major issues: Keep sixth grade part of elementary schools; better fiscal management to pay for site improvements such as new fences and greener playing fields

*

Stephanie Erickson

Age: 43

Occupation: Homemaker

Background: Regularly attends various education-related meetings throughout Orange County

Major issues: Remove all classes not taught in English; increase parental involvement; begin parents’ newsletter

*

Chris King

Age: 44

Occupation: Homemaker, community volunteer

Background: Member, Westminster School District Advisory Board; past president, Eastwood School PTA; volunteer with several youth, church and community organizations

Major issues: Increase efforts to teach English skills to non-English-speaking students; extend district’s state-approved waiver for bilingual education; promote after-school tutoring programs; boost parent involvement

*

Vivian Kirkpatrick-Pilger

Age: 42

Occupation: Management services officer, UC Irvine Department of Engineering

Background: 16 years’ administrative and budgetary experience at UCI

Major issues: Introduce children to colleges and universities at an early age through field trips and special partnerships; reduce gang activity at junior high schools

*

Helena Rutkowski

Age: 59

Occupation: Homemaker

Background: Member, Westminster School District Personnel Commission; district instructional assistant; PTA member; Girl Scout leader

Major issues: Increase emphasis on basic skills; maintain “open door” policy for parents, teachers, employees and administrators

Sources: District, individual candidates