Editor's Note: This is the second in a series focusing on four candidates seeking three seats on the Temecula Valley Unified School District governing board. The election is Nov. 2.

Angel Garcia knows people may dismiss him as a candidate for the Temecula school board because of his age, but the 18-year-old recent Great Oak High School graduate is taking his campaign seriously.

He said his recent time as a student is something voters should appreciate,

"I was in the classroom not 10 years ago, or four years ago, I was in the classroom a couple of months ago," Garcia said. "I'm running to provide our students with the proper resources to be able to compete in today's job market."

Garcia, a college student, is one of four candidates seeking three seats on the Temecula Valley Unified School District governing board. He is the only challenger in a race against three incumbents: Bob Brown, 68, a small-business owner; Vince O'Neal, 48, a battalion chief with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; and Rick Shafer, 58, a certified public accountant.

Trustees will oversee a $197 million school district budget this fiscal year and are paid $675 per month, plus health benefits.

Garcia, who has volunteered in previous political campaigns, was so eager to run, he showed up at the Riverside County registrar of voters office before he was old enough to register to vote. He returned two days after his 18th birthday and filed his paperwork to become a candidate.

"I figured school board was the best office because I have the experience of being in the classroom," Garcia said. "It's my way of giving back to education."

He said one of his goals is to make sure students are ready for life after high school, adding that many of his classmates were unsure what to do after they graduated.

"Graduation night, everyone was excited, but (when we returned to our seats), reality punched you in the face. 'What's next? I've been K-through-12 and I have no experience, what can I make out of what's coming up for me?'"

Garcia started attending classes at Palomar Community College in 2005 and earned an associate of arts degree to go with his high school diploma. He will enter UC Riverside next month as a junior, with plans to major in political science and minor in philosophy.

He said he ran into some obstacles trying to attend high school and community college at the same time and would like to see that process made easier.

Garcia would like the district to create what he calls a "middle-college high school."

"It's a high school and community college in one where, when you graduate, you get your high school diploma and your associate's too, and some vocational training," he said. "Now, you're competitive for the job. ... If we don't start preparing our students for tomorrow, really, what are we preparing them for?"

Garcia said he thinks more money could be found in the budget, which would help prevent future teacher layoffs.

"I have ideas on how to approach this, one of them being a full audit of all the books, finding out where the money is going," he said.

The district regularly audits the books, but Garcia wants the findings to be made available to the public in plain English, he said.

Garcia also wants the district to look for more grants, vowing to work with elected officials to find that money, and said Temecula Valley Unified needs to create a rainy-day fund to be prepared for the next economic downturn.

The district does have a reserve fund from which it will dip into this year because this year's budget anticipates that expenditures will exceed revenues.

Although there is a need for a high school in French Valley, Garcia said it shouldn't be built unless there is money in the bank to pay for it.

He said he would support a bond to pay for the school if it appears the public supports it.

"I would propose it if I see it's in the best interest of students and the facility will accommodate both high school and college needs," Garcia said.

Saying the role of the board is to serve the interests of the students, Garcia said he can bring a fresh perspective to the district.

"As a new candidate, I feel it's time for the district to be more efficient, provide students with the necessary resources and, with all respect to our current board members, I feel it's time for some of them to pursue other things in life.

"Let's get a perspective from someone who just came out of the classroom, someone who understands the students."

Garcia has lived in Temecula most of his life, attending Sparkman Elementary, Gardner and Vail Ranch middle schools and Temecula Valley and Great Oak high schools. He lives with his parents, an older brother and younger sister.

Call staff writer Craig Shultz at 951-676-4315, ext. 2625.