Teachers union throws support to Fluor

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT-MESA -- The Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers unanimously

have decided to endorse incumbent Martha Fluor for the school board.

The union rarely makes endorsements, said president Linda Mook, but

felt strongly that Fluor’s leadership has been an asset to the district.

“The last person we supported was four years ago -- we supported Dana

Black and before that it’s been a long time,” Mook said. “We’ve remained

neutral through many of the board elections and only endorse when there

is a candidate that is working for the good of all the students in

district.”

The decision was based on Fluor’s experience as a teacher and her

track record of putting money back into classrooms, Mook said.

“We felt the she has directed funds back to the classroom and

supported the strategic plan and a school budget that is goal-driven,”

she said. “We’re talking about somebody who has proven leadership as

opposed to someone who has not been involved in school issues.”

Fluor was grateful for the vote of confidence, but her colleagues who

are not up for reelection this year had mixed opinions of how much weight

the federation caries with Newport-Mesa voters.

Trustee Jim Ferryman said he would like their support if he was

running.

“Well, there’s about 1,000 teachers -- so I don’t know how many of

them live in Costa Mesa, but just by virtue of that it’s quite a few

people,” he said. “I think to some degree parents look to see what

teachers think of trustees. It does have influence over some parents.”

School board member Wendy Leece, however, did not feel the endorsement

would mean much when it came time to vote on Tuesday.

“I think the teachers union thinks it has a lot more influence than it

does,” she said. “I think grass-roots efforts and word of mouth are much

more effective in this community than the teachers union. I don’t think

people really care.”

Leece added that she thinks there are clear differences between the

union leaders and teachers.

“[Teachers] may be part of it and belong to it, but they are not the

same as the union and its agenda,” she said.

Mark Petracca, chairman of UCI’s political science department,

countered that despite the often negative opinions of teachers unions,

the backing of the group is definitely a plus for a candidate. That’s

especially true if there is financial or in-kind support along with it.

The federation does plan to advertise its support for Fluor, Mook

said.

Fluor’s opponent, Ila Johnson, said she was not surprised by the

federation’s endorsement of Fluor, adding that she did not seek the

organization’s support.

“I don’t agree with most of their educational policies and I don’t

think it’s the unions place is to set policy,” she said.