Gergen vs. Lester for Long Beach board seat

The Long Beach Board of Education seat held by President Lynn Gergen is up for election next month, and former Trustee Roy Lester is planning to challenge her.

Gergen has confirmed that she plans to seek another three-year term. “Having been born in Long Beach and educated in the Long Beach School District,” she said, “it is very important to me to ensure that Long Beach be known as a school district that challenges our students with innovative and creative programs.”

Gergen said that the board has implemented new programs, set goals for the district, enhanced vocational programs and begun reviewing the board's policy manual for the first time since 1990. “The district is moving forward in so many positive ways, and I would like to continue to be a force in this movement,” she said.

Lester, who was defeated by Gina Guma and Darlene Tangney in last year’s election, expressed his frustration with the way the board has operated since then. “I don't feel like the taxpayers are being represented,”

he said.

He added that the quick passage of the teachers' contract during uncertain economic times, the hiring of trustees' family members and a proposed policy to limit speaking time by residents at school board meetings were other reasons for his decision to seek another three-year term on the board.

Lester, who considers himself fiscally conservative, has previously served three terms, or nine years, as a trustee.

The deadline to file as a candidate is April 28.

School budget is adopted

The Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt the proposed budget for the 2010-11 school year at its regular meeting on April 13. If voters approve the plan on May 18, spending would increase by $1.8 million, or 1.6 percent, over the current budget, and the tax levy would grow by $1.6 million, or 1.9 percent.

“We were very concerned about the state of the economy, the state of the state [and] state aid,” Superintendent Dr. Robert Greenberg said at an earlier public presentation of the budget. “The unknown to us is state aid.”