TWO INCUMBENTS, FOUR CHALLENGERS IN OAK PARK DISTRICT'S API SCORES HIGH IN DISTRICT.

Byline: Grace Lee Staff Writer

OAK PARK - Two Oak Park Unified School District board incumbents face four challengers in the Nov. 5 contest for three school board seats.

Trustees Cindy Vinson, 54, a retired clinical lab scientist, and Robert Kahn, 73, a retired sales director, are seeking re-election. Challenging them are Daniel Bilchik, 38, a flooring contractor; Mary Rees, 50, a Moorpark College biology teacher; former board member Jeri Fox, 47; and Marie Panec, 48, a Moorpark College teacher.

Incumbent Linda Seaman is not seeking re-election.

The Oak Park district of six schools has 3,700 students. Oak Park High School, the district's only comprehensive high school, has the highest Academic Performance Index scores in Ventura County.

Vinson said one of the board's best moves during her tenure has been to cluster district students in classes according to skill levels. The method helps teachers home in on students' needs, she said.

If re-elected, she would try speed along the opening of a county library at Oak Park High School. The opening was delayed after the contractor filed for bankruptcy, but the contractor's insurance company will take over the costs, she said. Construction is two-thirds complete and is expected to begin again April 3, she said.

Kahn, a three-term board incumbent, was unable to participate in an interview earlier this month because he was recovering from dialysis treatment, which he began in February 2000.

His wife and campaign manager, Eileen Kahn, answered questions his behalf.

She said her husband's goals include increasing the number of classrooms, hiring and retaining qualified teachers and encouraging more parent involvement.

While their own children no longer attend schools in the district, the Kahns remain committed to local schools, she said.

``(Robert) feels every child in the school district should have the opportunity ours did,'' she said. ``He believes in public schools.''

Robert Kahn, retired as a district sales director for a division of Lincoln National, will not let his health problems affect his board responsibilities, she said.

Challenger Bilchik said the board needs to try harder to involve parents and ``not become a unilateral think tank.''

School trustees must maintain high standards for all students, especially with the new ``clustering'' program, he said.

Bilchik's children attend first and fourth grades in the district, so he said that one bad decision as a board member ``will affect me for the next 11 years.''

Like Bilchik, teacher Rees said having a child in the district will keep her accountable and connected to students' concerns. Rees, who has a middle school-age daughter, said among her first priorities would be to see the library finished.

Rees said she would also focus on raising funds for more art programs.

Fox, who volunteers for school programs, said trustees should focus on helping struggling students.

``We have a small percentage of kids below the proficiency level, and we need to make sure they receive basic skills,'' Fox said.

She also stressed the need to offer students computer skills beyond surfing the Internet.

As a microbiology teacher at Moorpark College, Panec said she understands education issues. One key challenge the board faces is helping parents understand the new ``clustering'' program, which she said left teachers and parents ``very confused.''

Panec would also like to see more extracurricular activities offered, beginning in middle school. Colleges are always raising the bar and seeking well-rounded students, she said.