School board and city council candidates vying for open seats in east Ventura County and west Los Angeles County are busy knocking on doors and listening to constituents during the last few days leading up to Tuesday's election.

In the Las Virgenes Unified School District board race, incumbent Terilyn Finders and newcomers Dana Greenspan and Jill Gaines spoke to a homeowners association in Calabasas on Thursday night. The three women are hoping to grab one of two seats on the ballot.

Finders, an Agoura Hills resident and freelance speechwriter and marketing consultant who has served two terms on the board, said the district needs to continue improving its technology, healthcare services, foreign language offerings and music and arts programs.

Greenspan, office manager at White Oak School in Westlake Village and vice president of the Las Virgenes Classified Association, said the district needs to take a more "businesslike approach" with fiscal responsibility, while investing in technology and infrastructure.

Gaines, a chief financial officer for a law firm in Encino, said the district should re-evaluate budget priorities and create better partnerships with local businesses.

Parcel tax to fund services

District residents also will decide Tuesday whether to extend a $98 annual parcel tax for an additional eight years.

District officials said Measure E, which needs a two-thirds approval to pass, would generate $2 million annually for programs such as library services, college and career counseling and extracurricular activities.

Changes in the measure include a new exemption for residents who receive state disability benefits. Residents 65 and older also would continue to be exempt, and residents who own more than one contiguous lot would pay only one fee.

In the race for two Agoura Hills City Council seats, the incumbents — healthcare executive John Edelston and Los Angeles County public defender Dan Kuperberg — are facing business owner Michael Forney and newspaper publisher George Thomas.

Edelston said he wants to continue with his philosophy of fiscal conservatism and healthy living opportunities for Agoura Hills residents.

Four-term council member Kuperberg said he wants to see the construction of a recreation center and the continuation of family-centered programs. Kuperberg said he is committed to the city's environment, open space and smart planning for future businesses.

Forney has challenged the council's relationship with businesses. He said poor representation for business partly led him to run for a council seat 10 years ago, and those concerns still remain.

Thomas, a former congressional staff member, wants to parlay his political experience to benefit the city. He is running in his fourth council election, and he also wants to bring local businesses and city government closer together.

Westlake Village race

The race for two Westlake Village City Council seats pits incumbent Philippa Klessig against challengers Theodore Corwin, Ned Davis and Carol Kirschbaum.

Corwin, a physician, said he is interested in health and wellness issues and wants the city's dormant medical committee revived.

Business executive Davis' concerns include managing growth and attracting businesses compatible with the needs of the community.

Kirschbaum, a retired corporate litigation insurance administrator, wants the city to develop a citizens advisory committee made up of volunteer architects, engineers, land use experts and others to advise the council on development.

Klessig said she is concerned about public safety, business development and the need for a possible community center.

— Correspondents Jake Finch and Christy Fenner contributed to this report.