SANTA CLARITA / ANTELOPE VALLEY : LOCAL ELECTIONS / SCHOOL BOARDS : 64 Candidates in 8 Races Fill High Desert Ballots

ANTELOPE VALLEY — More candidates than in any recent election cycle are seeking positions on eight local school boards here, with 64 candidates and at least one write-in competing for office.

And despite the controversy surrounding the statewide school voucher initiative, Prop. 174, local school board races have remained surprisingly quiet.

Antelope Valley Union High School District:

At least two newcomers will be elected to the board of this 13,270-student district, which continues to recover from a $14-million deficit. Only one incumbent is among the 14 candidates seeking three available board seats.

Charles Whiteside, 43, is hoping to retain the board seat he won in 1991 to fill an unexpired term. A director of human resources at the local community college, Whiteside is concerned with the district’s fiscal recovery, class sizes and campus safety.

Richard Brown, 58, said his priorities are the district’s budget, class sizes and facilities. Brown, facilities director for a local elementary district and an unsuccessful candidate for the Lancaster City Council, said a positive atmosphere for learning must be created.

Keith Davis, 62, is making his second attempt at a high school board seat--he made a failed bid in 1991. Davis, a schoolteacher and retired deputy probation officer, said, “The people deserve safeguards from ongoing government intervention.”

Behrooz (Bruce) Farhangi, 58, is a political science teacher at the local college who is running due to the “failure of the public high school system in (the) Antelope Valley.” He is interested in “total reform” of the district’s system of education.

John Hosea, 42, an aerospace technician, said he has been active in the district for 14 years and contends the district has too many administrators and has shortchanged its students.

Michael Huggins, 31, decided to seek a seat on the high school board rather than pursue reelection to his seat on a local elementary district board. Huggins said he is concerned about the quality of education and the need for strong financial management.

Accountant Wendy Sue Kalbacher, 44, says her professional experience will prove beneficial in continuing the district on its path of fiscal recovery. She is also concerned about campus safety and feels there should be increased parental involvement.

Bill Olenick, 42, was elected in 1985 to a four-year term on the high school board and has also been a candidate three other times for the board and made an unsuccessful bid for a state Senate seat. A deputy probation officer, Olenick is concerned about campus safety and educational reform.

Sue Stokka, 50, served on a local elementary school board for 10 years, ending in 1989. She is a self-described fiscal conservative concerned about the erosion of parents’ rights.

Conservative author Frank Tymon, 64, said the education system should use modern technology and old-fashioned values. A former teacher, Tymon says a “fourth R,” namely reasoning, should be introduced in the schools.

Allen Walker, 63, says the district needs fiscal stability, safe schools and parental involvement. Walker, an educational administrator, says the school board should not “micro-manage” the district.

Newcomer Tony Welch, 50, says his background in law enforcement--he is commander of the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Station--would serve him well on the school board. He said he decided to run for the board after deciding that complaining would not solve problems.

Community activist Jason Zink, 21, says there is a need for innovative leadership and that the district must get back to the basics.

Candidate R. (Bob) Davis did not respond to inquiries from The Times about his candidacy.

Antelope Valley College:

A frequent City Council candidate, Kamal Chalabi is one of eight candidates--including three incumbents--vying for three seats on the community college board. Chalabi, a former university professor, said he would work toward bringing a four-year university to the Antelope Valley.

Incumbent James Valentine DuPratt Jr., 49, is a high school teacher and two-term college trustee. He says the college must prepare for the future by expanding its campus and adding a second site.

James (Hutch) Hutchins, 43, a Northrop engineer, says the current college board acts as a “rubber stamp” for the administration. He is also against the district’s approach of deficit spending to balance its budget.

First-time candidate Mohamed Abulkheir, 72, an accountant, is basing his campaign on quality education, integrity, dedication and honesty. He says the college should work to attract international students to increase revenues.

Incumbent Herman Kicenski, 75, has served on the college board for the past 20 years. He says the district must deal with crime, growth and new construction, and says he delivered on prior campaign promises.

Newcomer Nancy Martin, 62, is running for the college board, in part, because it lacks representation from outlying areas. Martin, a marketing executive, says the district must ensure that its training programs respond to the rapidly changing market.

Incumbent Betty Lou Nash, 69, is a former college employee who is active in the local arts community. She is seeking a second term because she wants to continue the “present harmonious relations” the board has with administrators, staff members, students and the community.

Candidate Kenneth Johnson said he is unable to actively campaign due to personal reasons.

Palmdale School District:

Six candidates, including two incumbents, are seeking the three seats available on the board of this district, the most populous in the Antelope Valley with 16,500 students.

Sheldon Epstein, 47, served two years, ending in 1991, on the Palmdale board and is hoping to regain a seat to help “maximize our school dollars in order to ensure quality educational programs for all students.” Epstein is an alternative education principal with the Los Angeles County office of education.

Conservative Gene Gray, 44, is a child counselor and social worker who says school board members hold the most important local office. He says there needs to be more student discipline and that the district should not pursue experimental programs.

A teacher and former Republican candidate in the 25th Congressional District, Larry Logsdon, 46, supports efforts to expand from a K-8 district to a K-12 district and is also concerned about improving districtwide scores on standardized tests. He says the district should have a director of fine arts.

Incumbent Frederick Thompson, 49, is an Antelope Valley College dean who said the district must continue to meet the challenge of continued growth in the face of shrinking revenue. He said the district should have an after-school child-care program.

Velma Trosin, a retired nurse, is hoping to serve a third term on the Palmdale school board to see the “system of success continue.” She supports increased parental involvement and is concerned about campus safety.

First-time candidate Kenneth White, 34, is running on the advice of a conservative member of the high school board who said the Palmdale trustees are a “rubber stamp” for the administration. An employee of the city of Los Angeles, he says the district must pay more attention to the concerns of parents.

Lancaster School District:

The candidate pool in this race is among the largest with 11 board hopefuls, including two incumbents, seeking three available seats.

Newcomer Beth Ercek, 34, is a former teacher and self-described parent advocate who was prompted to run for office after she learned her daughter’s kindergarten class had 36 students and the district was unwilling to do anything to reduce class size. She says the district’s priorities should be on the classroom.

Val Holt, 44, a community volunteer, is making her second run for a Lancaster board seat. She said she has been actively involved with the district as a concerned parent for the past six years and says the district must meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population.

William Horning, 63, a records clerk for the Sheriff’s Department, says meaningful teaching of basic skills must be a focus of the district, and programs that fail to contribute to legitimate public education goals must be eliminated.

First-time candidate Merle (Mel) Kleven, 49, said the current board does not represent his views or those of many parents. Kleven, who works for Underwriters Laboratories, says the district must have higher academic expectations and more money must go to the classroom.

Tyler Nakamura, 31, an engineering supervisor, is concerned about the management style and quality of education offered by the district. He would like to see a total quality management-type of system adopted in the district for a more involved public and more efficient system with accountability on the administrators.

A college professor and first-time candidate, Donald Ranish said he will be the community’s voice on the school board. He says the district must continue with the development of community-based programs that benefit schools and children.

Newcomer Peter Robles Jr., 42, a NASA engineer, says the district must overcome inhibitions to diversity, encourage district openness so more parents get involved and meet educational standards.

Greg Tepe, 26, an administrator for an anti-gang organization, is a conservative candidate who said the district should promote values such as honesty and integrity instead of being sidetracked by social agendas or programs.

Dewey White, 38, is a first-time candidate who said he will be a voice for parents rather than “unions and politically correct social agenda groups,” as, he said, are some board members. White, a consultant, says bilingual education is a disservice to foreign language students.

Incumbent Melinda White, 37, said the district’s schools have substantially improved through her leadership. She wants to continue work toward making the schools more accountable and effective.

Incumbent Richard White, 66, is a former teacher and principal in the Lancaster district. White said the district is addressing new trends in education and must continue to do so.

Westside Union School District:

Voters in this west Antelope Valley district have a pool of 10 candidates, including two incumbents, to fill three seats.

Veterinarian Larry Bosma, 42, says the growth of the area means the district must “act intelligently with bold and imaginative planning” to maintain a good environment for children. He supports back-to-basics education.

Kevin Cullen, 35, said he was asked to run for the school board by local developer Gregg Anderson. Cullen, a self-employed businessman, says the district is doing a good job and must maintain the highest standards possible.

Charles Haskell, 43, is hoping to increase his awareness of how the education system works and also that of other parents. A deputy sheriff, Haskell supports open enrollment at all district schools.

Mitchell Klein, 36, a union representative, said he has always wanted to get involved with the district and says changes must be made. The district should have an alternative school for disruptive students as well as after-school programs for latchkey children.

David Korczyk, 38, an engineer for the city of Lancaster, is concerned about the use of experimental educational programs in the schools and the cumbersome restrictions administrators must contend with.

Steve Lichtenstein, 37, a programmer, said that with his first child on the way he is concerned his offspring get the best education possible. He says involvement is critical and that a partnership should be formed among the district, parents, teachers and business community.

Michael McCormick, 21, said he offers voters a “young perspective and an energetic and dedicated personality.” An electrical apprentice, he says there is room for new ideas in the district.

Appointed incumbent David Ryckebosch, 56, wants to continue working on the programs he’s been involved with, such as getting computers in every classroom and keeping up with growth. He said he will continue with a conservative approach in regards to moral issues.

Incumbent Leon Swain, 32, is concerned that the district continue to use its dwindling resources in a prudent manner. Swain, a civil engineer, would like to see the district develop a strategic plan that would incorporate ideas from parents, teachers and the community.

Candidate Scott Gmur did not respond to inquiries for information.

Eastside Union School District:

Two challengers are vying with three incumbents for three seats on the board of this small east Antelope Valley school district.

First-time candidate Jose Meza, 39, said he would work toward abolishing some of the education codes that he says unduly restrict schools. An electrician, Meza said he is the only candidate with children attending district schools.

Willard Ritchie, 66, served nearly 20 years on the school board before losing his reelection bid in 1991. Ritchie said tight finances mean the district must search for new ideas.

Incumbent Lee Doughty, 62, is a self-employed education consultant who would like to continue improving the school district with emphasis on the basics and safety.

Incumbent Martha Delores Johnson, 53, said she cares about children and the school district. The district must deal with the issues of overcrowding, reduced revenues and the cost of special education.

Incumbent Larry Lake, 63, said he has the “time and knowledge to help improve the system.” Lake said the district is running well and improving a little at a time.

Keppel Union School District:

While six names--including three incumbents--will appear on the ballot for three seats on this small, east valley district, there is also one write-in candidate.

Payge Vangor, 31, didn’t get her name on the ballot, but she is still campaigning to get elected. Vangor, a homemaker, is concerned the district’s standards have declined and said she will link the board with the community.

Roger Fonvergne, 36, who works for Bank of America, is a first-time candidate who said the district does not adequately communicate with the community, fails to uniformly discipline students and must get back to basics.

Incumbent Valorie Gorny, 38, is campaigning on a slate with fellow incumbent R. Michael Dutton. Gorny said the district should improve the use of technology in the teaching of basic skills.

With four children in district schools, Maxine Griffin, 37, wants to play an active role in the district’s decision-making. Griffin, a homemaker, said there needs to be more emphasis on science and technology as well as improved bilingual programs.

Appointed incumbent Bert (Buddy) Hayman, 40, said the only election process he makes is to serve the district and its community. He supports providing community access to all district programs and services.

Neither incumbent Dutton, a school principal, nor newcomer Rafael Mendoza, a telephone splicer, responded to inquiries for information.

Wilsona School District:

This small, eastern Antelope Valley school district drew the smallest pool of candidates in this year’s school board races. One challenger is vying with three incumbents for three seats.

Sharon Marlo Toyne, 46, is the lone challenger. Toyne, a homemaker, says the district should develop an individual assessment program to determine the source of a student’s failings. She also says the district should promote a community literacy program.

Incumbent Michael Brown, 36, is seeking a second term because “school districts need competent leaders now more than ever.” Brown supports education reform and budget restraint.

Frank Donaldson Sr., 43, is also seeking a second term on the school board. He said the district should offer a preschool program, work to increase the number of passing students and closely monitor its budget.

Luis Easterwood, 59, has served for 20 years on the Wilsona school board. “Since ours is the best education team around, our biggest challenges are mainly financial.”