Two seek seats on school board

On the Nov. 4 ballot for two open seats on the Laguna Beach Board of Education are Bill Landsiedel and board incumbent Jan Vickers, who face no opposition in the election.

?

BILL LANDSIEDEL

I served as a member of the Laguna Beach Board of Education in 2006, after being appointed to the board. As a condition of my appointment, I promised not to seek election in November 2006. Now that I have fulfilled that promise, I have decided to run for an open seat this year.

In seeking this coveted position, I believe that I am well-qualified, based on my educational background, work experience and community service.

As a former school board member, selected unanimously from a distinguished group of applicants, by the school board, I know the existing members as well as the district staff; I have proven that I can work with both groups, in a productive fashion.

I am an attorney at law, in good standing, licensed to practice before all state courts, as well as many federal courts.

?Employment: assistant chief counsel, California State Compensation Insurance Fund, employed as an attorney/manager for 28 years. I currently manage offices with more than 150 attorneys, and a like number of professional clerical staff. In this job, I handle management and personnel issues, similar to those before the board.

?Teaching Experience: I hold a valid California teaching credential. Teaching has been my part-time profession; with more than 20 years’ experience in a post secondary and university setting. This includes public and private school positions.

?Professor of Law: Pacific Coast University, College of Law, instructor of business law, Long Beach City College.

?Community Service: Involved in the community as a SchoolPower trustee, classroom volunteer at Top of the World Elementary School, Cotillion Parent volunteer, AYSO soccer coach, Judge Pro Tem, California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, in addition to my service as a member of the Laguna Beach school board.

I have the time and the desire to commit myself to working to make sure that “Kids come first.”

My wife, Cindy, of 21 years and I have two amazing kids; Andrew, 12, who is a seventh-grader at Thurston and Kirsten, 9, a fourth-grader at Top of the World.

Education has been the No. 1 priority in our home, and it is my belief that I can return to be part of a team that ensures education is a No. 1 priority for all the youth in Laguna Beach.

?

JAN VICKERS

Vickers has served on the Laguna Beach Board of Education for 18 years in nonconsecutive terms.

A Laguna Beach resident since the 1960s, Vickers has an education background. She was an adult education teacher in art in the Laguna Beach school district in the 1970s and served as day care and preschool director at the Laguna Beach Methodist Church for many years.

She was elected to her first term in office in 1981 and served through 1987. She was then elected again in 1992, serving one four-year term. She ran again in 2000 and has served two consecutive terms since then.

?Married with two children; the oldest graduated in 1988, the youngest is a junior in high school.

?Education: Bachelor’s degree in studio art from UCI; teaching credentials for secondary, elementary with an early childhood specialist, UCI

?Past exhibitor in Festival of Arts and Sawdust Festival.

?Substitute teacher for Laguna Beach School District in all schools and grade levels.

?Community activities, Arts Commission, Greenbelt, Village Laguna, youth sports, Boy Scouts, Methodist church, volunteer with Helping Hands Worldwide to distribute surplus food.

“I decided to seek reelection to the Board of Education to continue working to ensure that each student’s educational experience maximizes potential. My years of experience as a board member have taught me to understand curriculum, policy setting, finance (budget and funding), personnel and negotiations, goal setting and accountability to name a few of the areas where I am asked to make decisions. With that knowledge I can be a responsible, prepared and responsive board member. Honest and informed leadership is essential to keep the district headed on our path of continuous improvement.”