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

When Vince O'Neal ran for the Temecula school board four years ago, he wanted to serve as the voice of parents who have children in the district's schools.

Now, seeking re-election, he wants to keep an experienced voice on the board at a time of upheaval in the district office with a new superintendent installed and two new assistant superintendents on the way.

"When I ran four years ago, no board members had kids in the district," O'Neal said. "That was one of the reasons I ran, to make sure there was the voice of a parent with kids in the district. You are exposed to different things because you're on campus a little bit more."

O'Neal, 48, a battalion chief with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, is one of four candidates seeking three seats on the Temecula Valley Unified School District governing board. The other candidates are incumbents Bob Brown, 68, a small-business owner; and Rick Shafer, 58, a certified public accountant; and challenger Angel Garcia, 18, a college student.

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

O'Neal, who was elected to his first term in 2006, said his top concerns for the next term are improving how children are taught while at the same time increasing success of the "middle-of-the-road" and low-achieving students, without harming the overachieving students; improving campus safety; and minimizing the impact of state budget cuts.

O'Neal said that, at first, he was unsure about seeking re-election.

"I struggled with (the decision) for a while just because of the budget," O'Neal said. "Three out of four years, we dealt with budget and it was getting depressing. But I felt it was important that there would be at least one board member running who had been there before."

O'Neal said he was concerned the district would be left with an inexperienced board if several trustees decided not to run.

"I think right now it's just important to keep some continuity because we're starting to have some transition," O'Neal said. "I think it's important because I understand some of the background of the district, why the decisions were made."

O'Neal joined a board four years ago that had recently hired a new superintendent after years of acrimonious relationship with employees and parents.

"There was a lot of turbulence when I was running the last time," he said. "I definitely think that has now changed. People have a lot of respect for each other, understand each other's job. Try to just work together as a team."

Still, he said, communication remains a challenge.

"I don't think we do that well yet as a district," he said. "Communicating with parents, communicating with the community. It's still important for the school district to keep open lines of communication with all members of the community ---- those who have kids in our district, as well as those who no longer have kids in our district ---- and let them understand what the issues are."

As labor peace has settled in, so have budget problems, however. Trustees spent the last two years trying to trim expenses because the district is receiving less revenue than anticipated from the state.

Among the measures the board has taken was closing an elementary school in 2009 and laying off almost 50 teachers this year.

"The budget has been the biggest challenge I think we've had," O'Neal said. "We still have to deal with a budget shortfall for the next fiscal year. There's going to be some difficult decisions again this year."

The next board likely will ask voters to increase taxes to pay for facilities.

While the biggest need appears to be a high school in French Valley, O'Neal said he doesn't know if one will be built during the next four years.

"It all depends on finances," he said. "If we survey the community and feel we have enough support to do some kind of bond or parcel tax, then we'll go forth on that."

The role of the board is to provide leadership, O'Neal said.

"Leadership and direction for the school district. That's our primary role," he said.

O'Neal said voters should elect him because he is a good listener.

"I always try my best to improve those things that need to be improved," he said.

O'Neal has lived in Temecula for 13 years. He and his wife, Monica, have two school-aged children.

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