Schools’ vote faces first test

BY CRAIG SHULTZ and GAIL WESSON 

   STAFF WRITERS 
   Voters in Beaumont and San Jacinto will be electing school board members by trustee area for the first time in November, while Hemet voters will pick a new representative for an area covering Sage, Aguanga and Anza. 

   Here is a look at races that are on the ballots for voters in the San Jacinto Valley and San Gorgonio Pass. 


   HEMET UNIFIED 

   There is one seat up for grabs in the Hemet Unified School district, with two candidates running to represent the Sage, Anza and Aguanga area. 

   Maurice Chacon, 41, cultural preservation coordinator for the Torres Martinez Tribe’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, is running against Megan Haley, 35, a business manager and educator. 

   Chacon said his biggest issues are safer schools, smaller class sizes and more local control. Haley listed more support for the Anza-Aguanga area, better preparing students for the workforce and improving the honesty, integrity and accessibility of the district’s top administrators and board members. 

   The winner will succeed Paul Bakkom, who chose not to seek another term. 

   The sprawling Hemet district has a seven-member board, with five coming from Hemet and one each from the Sage and Idyllwild areas. Although the winner of the election will represent a specific area, the entire district is eligible to vote. 

   Trustees Vic Scavarda, who represents Idyllwild, and Joe Wojcik and Ross Valenzuela, at-large trustees, will be reappointed, as there are no challengers for their seats. 

   Hemet Unified board members receive $400 per month and are eligible for district-paid health and other benefits. 


HEMET UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 

MAURICE CHACON
   Age:41 Residence:  Cahuilla Indian Reservation Family:married for 18 years, four children Occupation:cultural preservation coordinator, Torres Martinez Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program Education: graduated from Hemet High School, attended Mt. San Jacinto College and Haskell Indian Nation University in Lawrence, Kan. Top five professional and community activities: football coach; board member, Riverside, San Bernardino Indian Health Top three issues/concerns: safer schools; smaller class sizes; more local control Campaign email/phone number: MChaconforA [email protected]  , 951-201-9899 

  
MEGAN HALEY 

   Age: 35 Residence: Aguanga Family: married, one child Occupation: business manager, Heritage Well Service Education: bachelor’s degree in history from UC Riverside; teaching credential from Cal State San Marcos; administrative credential and master’s degree from Cal State San Bernardino Top five professional and community activities: secretary, Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce; volunteer at Cottonwood Elementary; business manager for son’s Temecula Pop Warner football team. Top three issues/concerns: to further support the community in which I live, Anza/Aguanga; better preparing students for the workforce; improving the honesty, integrity and accessibility of the current district cabinet and board members Campaign website and phone number: meganhaley.weebly.com  


   CONTACT THE WRITER: 

   951-368-9086 or 

   [email protected]  , 

   951-368-9075 or 

   [email protected]  
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