3 endorsements for Wiseburn district
Voters should elect incumbents Joanne Kaneda, Israel Mora and Nelson Martinez.
Daily Breeze editorial - November 2, 2005

Voters in the Wiseburn School District have the choice of giving a vote of confidence to the current governing board by returning three incumbents to office or putting an alternative voice in the mix.

Candidate Thomas Hartnell, a manager of multimillion-dollar projects, differs with his three opponents' unified outlook. Hartnell is concerned that the district may be accepting too many permit students, resulting in a greater need for portable classrooms that take up playground space. He's also critical of what he sees as the slow pace of rebuilding Dana Middle School and Cabrillo Elementary, and he urges better planning for rising enrollments due to new housing construction in the district.

Our view is that Joanne Kaneda and Israel Mora, who are seeking second terms, and appointed incumbent Nelson Martinez merit voters' support. All three are endorsed by the Wiseburn Faculty Association.

Consider that four years ago, the district was at odds with its teachers in contract talks, test scores were only so-so, construction planning was stalled and there were uncertainties about the budget. Today, the three elementary schools score over 800 on the Academic Progress Index, and the middle school scored over 765 this year. Meanwhile, approval of construction plans for Dana and Cabrillo is pending at the state level, and classrooms have up-to-date technology.

Furthermore, Kaneda sees permit students as a "win-win situation" for Wiseburn. Currently, she said permit students score as well or better than resident students on both the state's STAR tests and grade-point averages. She added that the number of permit students can be reduced to prevent overcrowding as new housing projects, including the one planned for former Los Angeles Air Force Base property, bring more students into the district.

Mora echoed Kaneda's sentiments, saying the district is financially sound and that it would continue to fight to establish a unified school district with its own high school. He noted that the district's new textbooks are better aligned with state standards and that teachers are getting more training in writing, reading and mathematics. Also, the district is seeking alternative funding, like a grant it won to provide seminars and coaching on American history .

Martinez, a member of the Del Aire Neighborhood Association and a member of the district's Facilities Advisory Committee, is a program director who oversees construction projects in other school districts. He hopes to use his construction background to help the district finish its construction projects. Martinez's primary concern is maintaining steady enrollment growth as neighboring districts are facing declines in student population.

On Tuesday, Wiseburn voters should continue the school district's progress and elect Joanne Kaneda, Israel Mora and Nelson Martinez.