COLLEGE SEATS CONTESTED BOND FUND OVERSIGHT, FEES ARE KEY FOR BOARD CANDIDATES.

Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer

Proper administration of the $2.2 billion Proposition A/AA construction bonds and reducing student fees are the main issues of candidates for the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees in the March 8 election.

Seven candidates are vying for three seats on the board, which oversees the nine-campus district.

Incumbent Kelly G. Candaele, 50, a Los Angeles film producer who serves as president of the board, said his top priorities are the bond project, raising money for scholarships and reducing student fees.

``We have to fight every day in Sacramento because that's where our fate is determined,'' said Candaele, who was first elected to the board in 1997. ``Every time you have a fairly dramatic fee increase, it really hurts our student population.''

He is being challenged by Mark Gonzaga, 43, of West Hollywood, a teacher, producer and environmentalist.

Gonzaga's top goals are stopping state budget cuts, reducing textbook costs and making sure the district's new construction is environmentally friendly. He also wants closer scrutiny at spending from the voter-approved bond measures.

``As trustee, I would request a certified fraud examination to ensure $120 million of Proposition A and AA bonds was not lost to operational fraud and abuse.''

A second incumbent seeking re-election is Nancy Pearlman, 56, of Los Angeles, a teacher, environmentalist and broadcaster.

Pearlman, on the board since 2001, said her main goals are making sure the district's new buildings incorporate designs that are environmentally sensitive, as well as gaining more funding for the district and keeping fees low.

``I raise money for non-profit organizations. I don't take taxpayer money lightly,'' Pearlman said.

Her challengers include are Maria Grunwald-Agazaryan and Gerald Wayne ``Jerry'' Perttula.

Grunwald-Agazaryan, 22, of North Hollywood, is a student at California State University, Northridge, and serves as LACCD student trustee. She wants to improve distance education, improve the connection between the colleges and the K-12 system, and foster community partnerships.

``Community colleges should be the cornerstones of their respective communities,'' Grunwald-Agazaryan said. ``People in the community should know the colleges are there for more than just pure academics.''

Perttula, 52, of Northridge, works with at-risk students through the Los Angeles County Office of Education. He wants more online courses, more internship opportunities for students, and closer review of how bond money is spent.

``There's too much autocracy, too little transparency to the community and too little accountability to the community,'' Perttula said.

David Sheng, a write-in candidate against Pearlman, could not be reached for comment.

A third incumbent, Michael Waxman, 30, of Beverly Hills, is unopposed.

Lisa M. Sodders, [phone]

lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com