Meet the Candidate: Mike House, Trustee for the Oakdale Joint Unified School District | Merced Sun-Star

The following is a questionnaire sent out by The Bee to candidates for the November 2009 election. Candidates supplied the answers, and they are being published it their unedited form.

What is your full, legal name?

Michael Phillip House

What name do you prefer be used in print?

Mike House

What office do you seek?

Trustee for the Oakdale Joint Unified School District

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I am running for this office because I love Oakdale. When I first ran for office Judy and I had six young children, two of whom were attending school at Cloverland and we had concerns about the direction the district was headed. There was an open seat on the elementary board for a two year term, and I thought I could make a positive impact.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

My most important priority will be to continue to improve education for the students in Oakdale in the face of catastrophic budget cuts.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I have 5 children who have all gone to and graduated from Oakdale schools. I have 1 still in Oakdale High school. I have 1 grandson in Oakdale schools. I have many more grandchildren that will be in Oakdale Schools. I am passionate about Oakdale and these schools. With just the numbers alone, I have more at stake than the other candidates. My family.

Where do you work and what is your job title? (If retired, list position before retirement)

Martin-Brower

Transportation Supervisor

What date were you born and where?

26 September 1957 in Martinez California

What is your spouse's name, if any?

Judy Valk House

What are the names and ages of your children, if any?

Jennifer House Sekona (30),Kelly House Allen (28),Cortney House (25),Brittany House(23), Kevin House (19), Tim House (17) All Oakdale High School graduates.

Please list the schools and colleges you attended, the degrees you attained and when.

Brigham Young University 1975-1976, Stanford University 1976, Modesto Jr. College 1977, University of the Pacific 1978-1980. BA Economics U.O.P. 1980, Modesto Jr. College continuing education in Mathematics.

Have you ever held an elected or appointed public office? (Include dates and office title)

I have served on the Oakdale Elementary Board of Trustees from 1993 until unification, and the Oakdale Joint Unified Board of Trustees since it was organized in 1997.

Have you run before for an elected public office? (Include dates and exact office title)

Oakdale Union Elementary Board of Trustees 1993 and 1995.

Oakdale Joint Unified School District 1997, 2001, and 2005.

Approximately how much money do you expect to spend on your campaign?

$200.00.

Have you ever been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation? If so, please explain and include dates and locations.

No.

Have you or a business you owned or had principal interest in ever filed bankruptcy? If so, please include dates and the location the bankruptcy was filed.

No