Q&A Profile: Meet ABC School Board Candidate Maynard Law

Editor's Note: Maynard Law is running for a four-year term alongside candidates Henna Sharma, Louise Dodson, and fellow incumbents Celia Spitzer, Armin Reyes and Sophia Tse. 

Name: Maynard Law

Age: 69

Educational background: B.S. Recreation Education, CSULA Teaching Credential USC, Special Education Credential USC, Post Graduate work at USC and Chapman University

Current job/career: President of ABC School Board, Retired Special Education Teacher, Retired Local, State and Federal Government Administrator

Married? Children? Married 46 years with two adult children and four grandchildren

What city do you live in? 36-year resident of Cerritos

What is your favorite book? "Abraham Lincoln" by Carl Sandburg

What is something unique the public doesn’t know about you? I am a Rare Book Collector

What term are you running for in the Nov. 8 ABC School Board election? The four-year term

Why are you running for a spot on the ABC School Board? The financial crisis that our school district faces require proven leadership that will help ensure ABC's continued role as world-class education system. 

What is your personal experience or personal ties you have with the ? I have two sons that attended ABC schools k-12 and are graduates of . I have served on numerous ABC Committees, was an 8-year president of Gahr High school Aquatics booster club, the School Site council at several schools and current School Board president. 

What has been the biggest challenge during your year served as School Board president? I feel strongly that the president should act as the visible face of the district. The challenge is finding the time to participate in as many school activities and programs as possible.

Is there anything you would handle differently, if you could do it over again? I would find a way to involve as many parent groups as possible in all aspects of the education system.

In your opinion, what is the most critical problem that the district faces? The lack of a stable long term financial solution for school funding.

How do you feel about the district’s push to hire specialized and professionally trained individuals, such as counselors? Is this a necessity? It is absolute necessary, the district would not be serving all our students needs without counselors and psychologists.

Should the district have to undergo another round of budget cuts, where should the cuts be made? Each of the budget cuts that the state has forced ABC to take involved a very long and painful decision with all the stake holders. If cuts are once again required, I am confident they will occur as far from the classroom as possible.

What is your stance on implementing more career-oriented and technical study courses in the school curriculum? I am a strong advocate of Career Technical Education. I currently serve of the Regional Occupation Board (ROP) as well as Work Force Investment Board (WIB).

What sets you apart from the other candidates? Clearly my experience as a school board member, a public school teacher and many years as government administrator.

If elected, what will you do to make a difference in the ABC Unified School District? I will continue to ensure that all our students have resources to ensure that ABC continues to be a world-class school district.

If anything, what needs to change in the district? ABC is a beacon in the educational world. I do not believe any significant changes need to occur in our district

If there were a mid-year budget cut, how would you deal with it? The staff, administrators and all employee groups are developing options and priories for potential mid-year budget cuts. If the state once again forces ABC to make cuts the district will be prepared to work with all the stake holders to develop a plan that will have the least effect on the students.