Brea Olinda Has Five Candidates

Five candidates, including two incumbents, are seeking three seats on the Brea Olinda Unified School District school board. Todd Spitzer is not seeking reelection but is vying for the 3rd District seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Here’s a quick look at all five:

THE DISTRICT

Boundaries: Brea and a small part of Fullerton

Enrollment: 5,919, grades K-12

Facilities: Six elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and one alternative high school

Open seats: 3

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THE CANDIDATES

Dorothy M. Allen

Age: 72

Occupation: Teacher

Background: Member, Orange County Republican Central Committee

Major issue: Establish higher academic standards in elementary schools

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Denise Keller

Age: 39

Occupation: Homemaker, community volunteer

Background: Former special education teacher; member, Brea Cultural Arts Commission and Youth and Family Action Plan Committee; active in PTA

Major issues: Reduce class sizes and include job-training in high school curriculum

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Bernie P. Kilcoyne

Age: 45

Occupation: Systems coordinator

Background: School board trustee; board member, Regional Occupation Program of North Orange County and Brea Lions Scout House Foundation; former director, Brea Chamber of Commerce

Major issues: Reduce high school class sizes; devise a new way of assessing statewide student tests

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Frank C. Murillo

Age: 55

Occupation: Co-owns a real estate company

Background: Sunday school teacher; soccer coach and referee; facilitator for divorce recovery workshops

Major issues: Computerize card catalogs in school libraries; eliminate English-as-a-Second- Language program

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Susie D. Sokol

Age: 51

Occupation: Pharmacist

Background: School board trustee; director, Brea 8K Road Race; member, Brea Kiwanis Club; board member, Brea Chamber of Commerce; board member, Brea’s Youth and Family Advisory Council

Major issues: Expand technology programs at all school sites; establish zero-tolerance policy for drugs, weapons and graffiti on school campuses

Sources: Individual candidates, Brea Olinda Unified School District

Los Angeles Times