League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Butte County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Linda Hovey Answers Questions Candidate for Governing Board Member; Chico Unified School District

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Butte County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

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?

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 25, 2012 15:41
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.