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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Smart Voter
Butte, Glenn County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
Governing Board Member; Butte-Glenn Community College District; Trustee Area 1


The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Butte County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Education Funding, School Selection, Charter School Accountability, Arts in the Schools

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

? 1. In light of existing and anticipated budget cuts in every governmental service and shrinking tax bases, what are your ideas to keep education in our district the creative and productive experience our children deserve?

Answer from Lou Cecchi:

over the last 20 years we have been a highly fiscally responsibleboard and I have been part of that leadership, we have always planned through adverse fiscal times in Calif to priortize student success and outcomes.

existing and anticipated butget cuts in Calif have become the norm in commuity colleges and we have planned our education process to make certain that student outcomes and success were our greatest priority. being fiscally respkonsible these last 20 years that i have been on the board has ensured this process and we have sufficient reserves to balance bad times. we continue to have one of the highest transfer rates to 4 year academic institutions.

Answer from Don Remley:

As funding is reduced by the State of California, budget priorities become more important in in the operation of the District. I desire that Butte-Glenn Community College District continue to excel in offering academic courses which prepare students for higher education, as well as maintain quality career programs such as nursing, firefighting and law enforcement academies.

? 2. What are the key benefits and drawbacks to parents selecting schools for their children, including the relatively new phenomenon of charter schools?

Answer from Don Remley:

Butte-Glenn Community College has a fine reputation of providing quality programs to its students. The College has been successful in fielding competitive sports teams and supplying the North State with well-trained professionals to meet the needs of a growing economy. When students and their parents are selecting a college, they examine the quality and variety of programs offered by the college. Butte-Glenn Community College will always score high when measured against other community colleges within California.

? 3. Charter schools are public schools supported by taxpayer dollars. How should they be held accountable to the public? Should their governing boards be required to adhere to the Brown Act?

Answer from Don Remley:

Although charter schools are generally an option at the K-12 level and do not impact community colleges, I believe the charter schools should be held equally accountable as all other public-funded schools for the expenditure of taxpayer dollars. Charter schools should be required to adhere to the Brown Act.

? 4. There is widespread agreement –- and adopted learning standards –-affirming the role of the arts in a complete education. And yet, among schools and districts across the state, access to the arts is inconsistent or nonexistent. How should the state ensure that the arts have their rightful role in every K-12 curriculum?

Answer from Don Remley:

Fine arts has always been a big part of my personal development and our family's focus. I enjoyed playing several musical instruments throughout my school years and was drum major during my junior and senior years of high school. All three of my daughters performed with the Oroville-Las Plumas High School Band. My wife is an artist working in watercolors and sculpture.

As former superintendent and cuurent board member for the Oroville City Elemetary School District, I always supported music education. The result is reflected in the Central-Ishi Hills Middle School band, which regularly scores high honors for its quality performances.

Local school boards, rather than the State of California, are responsible for making certain that the arts are part of the K-12 curriculum for all students. It needs to be established as a budget priority for the school district.


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. References to opponents are not permitted.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.


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Created: December 17, 2012 13:43 PST
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