CAMPAIGN '96 : SIMI VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Nine candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for three seats on the Simi Valley Valley Unified School District Board of Education on the Nov. 5 ballot. The information and photographs below were provided by the candidates in response to a Daily News questionnaire.

NAME: Diane Collins (incumbent)

AGE: 51

BACKGROUND: Teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District and Simi Valley school board member for past eight years. Bachelor's degrees in political science and urban studies from Cal State Northridge, former instructor at University of California, Riverside.

MAIN CAMPAIGN ISSUE: Funding for education and how to set priorities for the use of scarce dollars. I believe that the first priority is to the student in the classroom, where learning takes place.

OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN: How to pay for the technology that all of our students need to be prepared for the next century.

SOUND BITE: ``Our school district has weathered tough economic times and is standing on the threshold of promise. It is more important than ever to have experienced leadership and a moderate voice on the school board.''

NAME: Doug Crosse

AGE: 49

BACKGROUND: Business owner and past president of Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce and Simi Valley school board member from 1990-94. Associate's degree from Glendale College.

MAIN CAMPAIGN ISSUE: Improving cooperation on the board; re-establish a balanced board that represents the will of the people of our community; fiscal responsibility (ending the budget deficit).

OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN: Improving the horrible relations between our board and the city and Police Department; school safety and discipline; basics in education; improving staff morale (supporting teachers, sites and district personnel); strategic planning, hiring a superintendent and assistant of personnel; reducing overcrowding.

SOUND BITE: ``I served as an effective moderate on the board from 1990-94, with a reputation of fairness, accessible representation, innovative problem solving, fiscal responsibility, honesty and hard work. I again offer my service to the community, parents, students and our district. If the voters ``hire'' me again, I will serve to the absolute best of my ability.''

NAME: Janice DiFatte

AGE: 44

BACKGROUND: Homemaker; volunteer for 14 years within local schools and Parent Teacher Association; High school diploma and some community college courses.

MAIN CAMPAIGN ISSUE: An issue of my campaign is focusing on supporting traditional learning methods in the classroom so that students can master the basics before moving on.

OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN: Continue to stay out of deficit spending; continue to encourage parental involvement; technology; class-size reduction; safety; development of Wood Ranch School and surplus property; business and community partnerships; relationship among board members built upon respect; success for all students.

SOUND BITE: ``I do not represent any special interest group or organizations nor am I focusing on any `single issue' - my priority is kids. I have the knowledge, time, patience, leadership and listening skills to be an effective board member.''

NAME: Caesar Julian

AGE: 67

BACKGROUND: Physician and medical director at Santa Susanna Medical Group from 1969 to present; bachelor's degree from Notre Dame; graduate degree in education from Bucknell University; master's degree from University of California, Davis; founder and chairman of Simi Valley Soccer Foundation; founder and past chairman of the Ventura County Council on Drug Abuse; founder and past chairman of Simi Valley Free Clinic; a director of the Ventura County Cancer Society.

MAIN CAMPAIGN ISSUE: Bringing mature judgment in choosing the right superintendent for the school district; increased parental involvement in all phases of education including class-size reduction, expediting Wood Ranch Elementary School and more fundamental schools.

OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN: Unifying and ensuring improved cooperation between SVUSD, City Council, Recreation and Park District, county services, private industries and the area's service clubs.

SOUND BITE: ``Our district's reputation has been in decline for the past two years and I want to restore it to its proper position. I want to reduce the number of divisive issues in respect to our community, our teachers, our administration and our city.''

NAME: Nan Mastacciuolo

AGE: 41

BACKGROUND: Homemaker and volunteer in local schools for 15 years, serving in many Parent Teacher Association positions including president, school site council, room mother and member of district's Special Education Advisory Committee. Also worked as an art instructor and special education aide.

MAIN CAMPAIGN ISSUE: I would like to review the budget and prioritize funding to the classroom, in addition to making it readable, more accurate and accessible to the public.

OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN: I am greatly concerned about the climb in enrollment and how it will affect our schools in the next few years and are we now preparing our schools for the crunch.

SOUND BITE: ``We, as the community, have a responsibility to our students that they receive the best education. We must demand to be heard, listened to and valued for our insights. These are our schools and we must take back our power to ensure that students are the priority.''

NAME: Debbie Sandland (incumbent)

AGE: 42

BACKGROUND: School board member since 1992; registered nurse at Aspen Outpatient Center; fifth-generation Simi Valley native; associate's degree from Moorpark College; licensed vocational nurse from Simi Adult Education; associate's degree in nursing from University of the State of New York.

MAIN CAMPAIGN ISSUE: Supporting our neighborhood schools and ensuring that all schools offer a quality education. Offering programs that will enhance learning such as small-class size, technology, reading intervention, conflict management, value curriculum and extracurricular activities while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN: Providing free home-to-school transportation and adequate classroom instructional materials. I am also very concerned about safety in our schools and in our community. I am a member of the Simi Valley Gang Task Force.

SOUND BITE: ``As a fifth-generation native of Simi Valley, I am committed to this community and its children. Working as a registered nurse and being a mother with two young sons, I understand the concerns of working families and can offer continuity, experience, integrity and welcome and encourage community involvement in all issues.''

NAME: Steven Steffek

AGE: 52

BACKGROUND: Educator with 26 years of classroom experience. I have taught children from gifted to at-risk. I am very familiar with the state educational framework and how the school system works. Bachelor's degree in history from California State University, Long Beach, secondary teaching credential and administrative credential.

MAIN CAMPAIGN ISSUE: One of the most important issues of my campaign would be to offer optional vocational training for all high school students. I feel it is important for all students to graduate from high school with a marketable skill. I also would like to add a community service component to the high school curriculum.

OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN: I feel we must increase technology in our schools. Adding computers is not enough. All students must learn to use the Internet and all staff members should be trained in technology as well.

SOUND BITE: ``I am the only candidate that can offer more than 25 years of educational experience. I am trained in group dynamics and cooperative learning. I have experience in bringing dissenting groups together and have been able to mediate and reach solutions. The board should be working on cooperation and compromise. Nothing can be accomplished until everyone is willing to work for the benefit of our children.''

NAME: Randy Sundeen

AGE: 40

BACKGROUND: Attorney for 10 years; judge pro tem for Ventura County Municipal Court 1988-present. Teacher from 1980-1984. Bachelor's degree in economics from University of California, Santa Barbara; teaching credential from California Lutheran University; doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law.

MAIN CAMPAIGN ISSUE: I would be responsive to the input from the community on major issues. I am familiar with school issues and parental concerns. I would speak for the people.

OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN: Reduce overcrowding at Madera Elementary School by immediate start of Wood Ranch School or reopening of Arroyo Elementary; scope and extent of technology in schools; improvement of learning environment.

SOUND BITE: ``I would listen to the concerns and wishes of the people. I would strive to increase academic scores and teacher performance through continuing education and seminars.''

NAME: Elizabeth Walbridge

AGE: 40

BACKGROUND: Homemaker, associate's degree from community college, plus an additional year of college courses.

MAIN CAMPAIGN ISSUE: My campaign is based on finding a solution to the lack of unity on our school board and working in the best interest of the children in the community.

OTHER ISSUES OF CONCERN: Many issues have been blown out of proportion and we need a level-headed approach.

SOUND BITE: ``If elected, I would make children the first priority and listen to the needs of the parents. I will address problems with a positive and rational approach.''