ALL SCHOOL CANDIDATES FAVOR BOND ISSUE.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer

ACTON - All three candidates running for two Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District board seats favor a $13.1 million bond measure to develop a permanent campus for Vasquez High School.

The bond proposal will be on the same ballot Nov. 4 when Agua Dulce Town Council member Melissa Harnett, parent Cindi Oberhansley and Realtor Gar Smith run to fill board seats now held by two men who aren't seeking re-election, Jim Duzick and John Sisco.

Harnett, 37, is a litigation attorney who lives in Agua Dulce. With one child in the first grade and another who will be a first-grader in a couple of years, she said she has a personal interest in the district.

``I am concerned about the finances of the district.'' She has gained expertise ``both from the practice of law and from having previously served on a development committee of a nationally acclaimed boarding school (Thacher School in Ojai),'' Harnett said. ``I believe that experience can get our district back on the right track.''

Harnett noted that district leaders failed last November to persuade voters to pass a $21.5 million bond measure. There are rumors about school closings, she said, and teachers are unhappy with their salaries and benefits. Facilities at some campuses are good, but at others inadequate, Harnett said.

Harnett said she will work to improve district finances and conditions for teachers. ``I have concerns about their dissatisfaction. They are an important element, if not the most important element,'' Harnett said.

Harnett said she supports the bond measure and believes building new schools will increase property values and benefit the entire community. ``I think that it's necessary to bring more money to the school system,'' Harnett said.

The first bond measure failed because voters lacked confidence that the money would be distributed appropriately and in the most fiscally responsible manner, she said.

``I hope that, perhaps with new blood on the board, ... the community will have more say in that. I make a promise that if the bond passes, those funds will be appropriately spent to the benefit of the community,'' Harnett said.

Oberhansley, 48, lives in Acton and is secretary for Vasquez High School's organization of parents, teachers and students.

Oberhansley said a permanent high school should be built.

``We now get to choose to keep our school tax dollars in our community for our family, friends and property values, or we can give it away to another district. This is the moment in time when state funds are available,'' Oberhansley said via e-mail.

Oberhansley said she is supportive of the teachers. ``Teachers should not be the only ones to give the three R's. They deserve to receive respect, responsibility and responsiveness,'' Oberhansley said.

``I am proud of the teachers, students and staff at (Vasquez High School), so in the last three-plus years I have devoted the time and talents of my family and myself toward the goal of the best learning environment possible,'' Oberhansley said.

She said she has proctored for state tests a couple of years and helped teachers with class activities, including assisting in the biology lab.

She was a member of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation team and worked on districtwide fund-raising events and the fall carnival.

Oberhansley also has been involved in leadership roles with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts since 1992. She is currently treasurer of Acton's Boy Scout Troop 145.

Smith, 47, of Agua Dulce, is a Realtor and financial planner. He said he is running because of concerns he has regarding the bond measure, the appropriation of funds and the quality of education being offered at local schools.

Smith said there is a perception among some residents that funds were not spent appropriately in the past.

``The perception was they raised money for various projects. All of a sudden the money is going toward Meadowlark School, which is a school that goes only up to the second grade,'' Smith said.

``If I get on the board, I will make communication much more clear. I will improve communication between the community and the school district and make sure the wishes of the community are put forth and not the wishes of a few individuals,'' Smith said.

Smith said he will vote for the bond issue. He said people who have no children and will not support the bond issue have a shortsighted approach.

``Ultimately having good schools in the area will increase everybody's property values and make the community (one) that everyone will be proud of,'' Smith said.

Smith said he will work to improve relations between teachers and the board. ``Teachers feel they haven't been dealt with in a fair manner. My opinion is everybody has to work together, including the board and the teachers, in order to get (a) better environment for the kids,'' Smith said.

Schools should be run like a business, Smith said. ``If you don't have the funds, you have to explain that to people and try to make appropriate cuts from the appropriate departments, not just (make) haphazard cuts,'' Smith said. The district can seek viable alternatives, such as getting parents to volunteer in schools, he said.

Karen Maeshiro, [phone]

karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com