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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.
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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?
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Answer from Linda Hovey:
As a school business manager for over ten years, I understand the difficulties that unpredictable state funding has on districts and schools. I believe it is important to maintain an ample fund balance to ensure adequate cash flow during these uncertain times. We must develop a realistic, balanced budget that has us living within our means, along with diligent and consistent oversight. I would look to uncover any inefficiences in the system in order to drive more funding into the classrooms. I would use these funds restore/improve programs that engage the whole child including music, the arts, sports and technology/science. To ensure funding equity for all students, I would make it my mission to work toward reducing the average class size district wide and to maintain a minimum 180 day school year.
Answer from Erik C Lyon:
I foresee an annual campaign to raise money for our school district. We have an incredible community and putting together something on a large scale, where the whole town can get involved and even bring people in from outside Chico. Create an even on a similar scale to Taste of Chico with all proceeds going directly to our schools. I have no doubt that the community would not only support an annual event like this but would generate much volunteerism, and increase pride in our schools and Pride in Chico
Answer from Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Griffin:
Teachers have to work with children with many different abilities in a single classroom. New technologies have come into existence, such as iPads and specialized computer programs, that enable teachers to assess children's progess and allow for increased individualization of instruction. Children who have fallen behind or missed certain learning modules can be brought up to speed while others can move ahead if they've already achieved competency. The teacher can then focus on the children who need more help; thus, he/she is able to be more effective. I strongly endorse minimizing standardized testing and introducing more social studies, science instruction, art and music back into the classroom.
Answer from Gary M. Loustale:
Testing creates extra financial burden on the district. I am in favor of cutting back some of the benchmark testing - not only to save money but to allow teachers to have more time to teach. We should also get more volunteers in classrooms without cutting aide positions. More help in the classroom equals more individual attention to students plus more time for creativity on the part of teachers.
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2. What are the key benefits and drawbacks to parents selecting schools for their children, including the relatively new phenomenon of charter schools?
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Answer from Erik C Lyon:
Key benefits are competition and choice. Not all kids fit easily in the same learning styles and variety, options and choice can give all students greater opportunity for success. The main draw back is students leaving the traditional public schools, taking the money for their education with them. We need to figure out strategies to offset this and learn to manage the change since I do not see charter schools going away, nor would I want them to.
Answer from Linda Hovey:
Parent choice is a critical ingredient in the educational success of a student. While charter schools have presented some challenges to the district in regard to funding; I believe that overall, their contribution has improved the quality of education in Chico. I think we all can agree that not every student will fit into a traditional learning environment. As their caretakers, parents should have the choice of what may work best for their child whether it is a private school, a charter school or a specialized school within the district such as the Spanish Immersion Program.
Answer from Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Griffin:
A parent knows his/her child best and is best-suited to decide what form of instruction and learning environment will be effective for that child. While the majority of children do well in the current public school environment, some students may do better in either less or more structured environments, or learning environments that build specialized skill sets. I think our district is doing an excellent job educating our students, however students are coming to us now with so many different needs that it is virtually impossible, with the budget we have, to do it all and to do it well. One possible drawback of parents choosing schools is the threat of elitism: some parents might seek to insulate their child from children of other races, nationalities, or capabilities, which isn't consistent with the ideals of public instruction.
Answer from Gary M. Loustale:
Benefits are allowing schools of choice with more flexibility and parent involvement. Drawbacks are that charter schools can weaken public education when the strongest parent involvement is held in charter schools. Charter schools may contribute to a type of "tier" system because they are not required to provide specials programs for certain students such as English Learners and Special Needs students.
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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?
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Answer from Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Griffin:
Charter schools should absolutely be held accountable and they are in the Chico Unified School District. The Board must decide on approving charters (for which there are very limited reasons for denial) and provide ongoing oversight, both of their instsructional competence and financial operations. Boards of charters are required to follow the Brown Act.
Answer from Linda Hovey:
Charter schools should be held to the same rigorous academic, fiscal and operational standards as district schools. Currently all charter schools authorized by the Chico Unified School District are required to adhere to the Brown Act in accordance with their Memorandums of Understanding, drafted by CUSD. I agree with and support this requirement.
Answer from Erik C Lyon:
All schools need to be held accountable to the public and all governing boards should adhere to the Brown Act.
Answer from Gary M. Loustale:
Charter schools should be overseen by the local school boards and by the county offices of education. They should be accountable by their test scores, by their methods of education, and by their programs to meet needs of students. Yes, they should be required to adhere to the Brown Act.
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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?
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Answer from Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Griffin:
Unless and until there is a reduction in the standardized testing that takes up so much of the teachers' time, the arts, music, social studies and science will continue to receive short shrift. I strongly advocate for doing away with the standardized testing that currently exists and creating another format for evaluating student progress, one that truly assesses critical thinking skills.
Answer from Gary M. Loustale:
The state needs to mandate that art must be taught in every grade by an art teacher. This is currently being done in Chico Unified in our elementary schools, where students receive fine arts (includes music, drama, and/or dance) instruction for 2 ½ hours 11 times a year. Jr. High and High School students are required to take at least one art class to graduate. Classroom teachers do not have time to provide this type of service to children with the rigorous academic requirements they face. The state should have this as a minimum requirement for all schools statewide.
Answer from Erik C Lyon:
When i grew up, it was about the three R's. Not sure when we all decided learning to draw and paint was a critical life skill. I've gotten along fairly well with a total lack of artistic ability. Do i wish i could play an insturment or paint a fresco? Definatly, but it has never held me back except when playing pictionary. I would like to see scores on reading, writing and arithmetic go up before we spend too much energy and resources on the arts. My daughters seem to be getting plenty of time doing arts and crafts at school, as my refrigerator can attest to.
Answer from Linda Hovey:
The arts are essential to the development of creative and critical thinking skills necessary to be successful in the workplace of the 21st century. As a board member, I would make it a priority to rebuild the programs that develop these essential skills, that keep our children engaged and that lead them to become life long learners. Both Steve Jobs and Arne Duncan agree with my position: "The arts, perhaps more than any other subject, prepare young people with creativity and innovative thinking"-Arne Duncan 2011(U.S. Secretary of Education). "It is in Apple's DNA that technology alone is not enough- it is technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the results that make our heart sing"-Steve Jobs 2011(introducing the iPad2). To ensure that the arts have their place in the K-12 curriculum, the state will need look to an alternative form of academic assessment, other than a standardized bubble test.
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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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
