League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Butte, Glenn County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Don Remley Answers Questions Candidate for 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.
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 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?

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?

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?

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.

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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).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 6, 2012 12:31
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