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Show Sunday, November 4. 1990 THE HERALD, Provo, Utah, Page Bl Board hopefuls: Job critical but races ignored By ROBERT MQ1S Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) State School Board hopefuls concede that hot congressional races and debate over the food sales tax initiative will dominate Utahns' attention at the polls Tuesday. But they bristle at playing to those political realities. After all, the board sets policy that governs what the state's 420.-00-0 school children are taught. Still, in two of the five district races up for election this year, candidates are unopposed. One of them is Keola Brown, though her 1st District is the state's largest, covering roughly half of Utah, including a mix of 'i - northern, southern and western counties. The Beaver grandmother and former teacher is proud of the board's accomplishments, but by bow Hole Utahns know, or care, about them. "We've made great strides in education in the last 10 years, developing the core cttrricuhzm and revamping graduation requirements," she said. "I'm concerned with the lack of interest in school board races." John Covey, a management consultant from Bountiful unopposed in District 3, also decries public apathy. Nonetheless, he looks forward to continuing his role preparing Utah's school system for the challenges of the 2ist Century. I want to get the whole system, all of the stakeholders the Legislature, business, education, family, higher education, vocational education focused on empowering students," said Covey, 55, who holds a doctorate in education from Brigh-a- n Young University. sad-defi- ed A fry I All the candidates agree Utah's children need to be prepared for a like demanding future, but mm Frances Hatch Merrill, a former feel the system needs legislator paring before it can Qy. Merrill, 51, served in the House from 1983 to 1386 and beaded the Salt Lake County Republican Party in 1968. She believes her first-han- d knowledge of what she says is bureaucratic malaise makes her the timet to fin the District 5 seat vacated by Dartene Hutchison. "The deceit in the bureaucracy they never ttll the whole story that's why I wanted to run," she said. "I know these bureaucrats ... I think they stifle creativity, sending down too many rules and regulations" to schools. Her opponent is Robert Bennett, chief architect of the "Shift in Focus" planning document adopted by the state board. chief executive The officer of Franklin Institute said he is ready to move from an advisory to a polkyinaking role in education. "I want to be directly in the arena instead of standing on the sidelines," Bennett said, can give the board a strategic vision (and) a link to the business community. Bennett said education should become the nation's top priority a "major survival issue." Don Cbristensen, a West Valley educator seeking his third iour-ye-ar term in the 7th District, completely agrees. And the West Kearns Elementary School principal wants to see reforms begun by Gov. Norm Bangerter continue. be"I'm running for cause we have some ideas that haven't been accomplished that I'd like to see accomplished," he said. The board needs to follow through with such Shift in Focus goals as better use of school resources. "The year-roun- d schedule is part of that," Cbristensen said, overcrowded districts throughout Utah are adopting the noting scheme. Challenger O. Ray Warner of Alpine says bis thorough knowledge of the federal funding available for innovative classroom reforms could be a valuable tool in helping Utah pay for its educational overhaul. Warner, 62, retired from the U.S. Department of Education two years ago. He spent 19 years disbursing federal grants as incentives for "experimental and innovative educational techniques." Warner, who holds a doctorate in education from George Washington University, would like a state testing program to identify school (districts. He also wads more attention paid to selection of textbooks, some of which be feels contain a "liberal bias" that shortchanges the role of religion in American history. below-standa- m I t V I rd ON THESE 5 ITEMS AT ALLEN'S SUPER SAVE!! ... ' Prices Effective: November 4th to 6th, 1990 vfanrfMti Campbell's 1ljrft jjtaq TOMATO soup fill inc I $4900! 324 WmI 374-072- Cntr M.D. 5 BATHROOM TISSUE llflfll Fsrriml f IC Used Wmm BMNDAY, TUSBSMYB II O) In District 9, Gunnison certified public accountant Harold S. Jensen believes one way to get more money to schools is to slash the fat from the State Office of Education. "I want to cut the employees, reduce the size," he said. "Too much money is siphoned off there before it gets to students." The former elementary school teacher and business college instructor also maintains that with "my experience in teaching and in auditing, I can make sure the financing formula do not discriminate against rural Utah." Jensen is faced by Vernal car dealer John Millecam, 43, who agrees rural Utah needs more representation on the board. But be argues his experience as a Uintah County School Board member and former president of the Utah State School Board Association in the late 1970s better prepared him for the job of replacing incumbent Valerie Kelson, who decided not to run. "If elected, I'd be the only one there with local board experience. I think those guys should have some experience in the trenches," he said. I mm mm I I (m (o) mm I Pkg. 4-R- oil If mm fi&t7im!m2 chili Regular, Thick, 7 Jgjf fn Polar Chunk Light TUNA YJSLer Only tVI CANS 6 Oz. Can Urfk XVfe Campbell's 1 PORK J!? BEANS i. res- - EVERY Sta GOGGLE. CAR RACK, AND OUR ENTIRE STOCK OF SKI LUGGAGE! 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