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Since I'm new to Kern County and there's 47 districts, I need some help figuring out what people care about in each district.

We are going to be doing profiles on at least some of the following school board races: Rosedale Union School District and Bakersfield City School District.

What are your questions for the candidates? What concerns do you have as a parent? What does your child complain about? 

Thanks for the help.

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Here is the third in a series of Kern High School District candidates that will appear on the ballot November 4.

If you have not registered to vote, go to this Web site to print out a registration form and mail it in on Ocober 20.

Also, if you want to see all blog posts on the KHSD election, click at the bottom of this blog on the words KHSD race to see all the stories.

Here's part of the profile on Charles Rodriguez. You really should just read the whole thing here.

Age: 65

Board meetings attended last year: Six

Regular voter? The Kern County Elections Division shows he voted in 21 out of 22 elections for which he was eligible since 1992.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES (LIGHTLY EDITED):

1. What is the first thing you'd change about KHSD?

My ultimate goal is to help kids in our community graduate. I know I can help rally our community to focus on the kids and their needs and not on somebody else’s personal agenda.

2. Describe a board decision you've disagreed with.

Proposition 8. They have to get back to focusing on the kids in the district and how to make sure they graduate and continue on to be successful in whatever they decide to accomplish.

3. Twelve of the district's 16 comprehensive schools did not meet all requirements of No Child Left Behind. What can the board do to help meet these guidelines?

We need to provide the focus, resources and guidance that can allow our schools, teachers, parents and, ultimately, our children succeed.

4. Do you think the board has spent too little, too much or an appropriate amount of time and energy on religious and cultural issues?

We need to focus on our kids. In my book, their needs come first before any other personal or outside agendas.

5. How do you plan to stay connected with teachers, parents and students?

I believe that it is very important to give back and make a difference. I will continue with my practice of gathering community members to build a better future for our communities.

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Name: Charles Rodriguez

Office sought: Kern High School District trustee

Date and place of birth: 11/5/1942 in Goliad, Texas

Spouse’s name: Single

Number of children and ages: Three, 2 twin girls who are 36, and 1 son who is 27

Current employer/occupation: Retired

List employment history (past 20 years): Co-partner of A. Ghazale Brothers Inc., co-owner of Fern’s and Charlie’s Grill & Catering Co., co-partner of Fiesta Foods – Charlie’s Meats, general manager of Super California Markets, owner of Charlie’s Meats, owner of Center Markets

Professional licenses: Master Meat Cutter

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election?  47 years

Political offices you have held:  None

Political offices you has sought: (dates, locations, outcomes): None

Board memberships/Community activities: Past president of Community Action Partnership of Kern, executive board of California-Nevada Community Action Partnership, Sheriff’s Activity League, Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, president of East Bakersfield Optimist Club, BPD Hispanic Advisory Board, Las Fiestas Inc., Hispana Internacional Inc. in Tucson, Richard Prado-East Bakersfield Senior Center, chairman of the Kern County Museum Foundation, past chairman Bakersfield College Cicano Cultural Center, Association of Old Town Kern, Latino Networking Organization, Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sports Marketing Council, Downtown Business Association Marketing Committee, East Bakersfield Community Coalition, San Joaquin Latino Vote, Mexican American Grocers Association, Hispanic Community Bank Committee, Kern County Museum Foundation

Education: Some college at Bakersfield College

Military: U.S. Army from 1965-1967

Describe anything you have published, invented, discovered, painted, etc., and events or hobbies that would be interesting for a biographical story: None listed

Campaign committee members: Friends

List all criminal convictions or pleas in this county and others
(Include year):    None

List all civil court judgments against you or any business you have had a financial interest in (partnership, sole proprietor, corporation) in this county and others (include year):   None

The Kern High School District is canceling its 2008 Principal Partners’ Day.

In the past, about 400 business, government and education leaders toured the districts’ facilities during the fall.

KHSD sent out “raincheck” postcards on Sept. 15 stating the district will have to postpone the day until 2009.

The card said the district canceled the day because of the uncertainty of the state budget.

The card also stated that KHSD wants to dedicate all the resources of the district and the KHSD Educational Foundation to academics, athletics and other extracurricular activities.

The day has helped KHSD foster relationships with business leaders and community members.

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In a hallway at Cal State Bakersfield, senior biology major Aaron Ramirez stood next to a poster describing his on-going experiment measuring the growth of plant species after wildfires on Santa Catalina Island.

Senior psychology major Jessica Trujillo gathered in a room nearby with other students and faculty to look at a loud ringing tube that measured the speed of sound.

At the dedication of the Science III building Wednesday morning, CSUB students and faculty excitedly greeted alumni, donors and other supporters. Spokeswoman Kathy Miller said the new building marks the first science expansion since the mid-'70s.

“I’m really stoked. It's a beautiful facility,” Trujillo said. “I have a couple classes here. And it really adds to my educational experience.” With the new facility, CSUB will be able to offer a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and a master’s degree in computer science in the future.

Read the rest...

Here's the final version of the story. Thank you for sticking with us as we reported the story on Tuesday. Keep checking back for our up-to-date election coverage.

UPDATED (Wednesday afternoon): 

KERN talk show host Scott Cox admitted this afternoon he stole campaign signs belonging to high school Trustee Chad Vegas in what was supposed to be a big hoax.

But the hoax went bad, Cox said, when the media started finding out and reporting on the theft and the Sheriff's Department began investigating, too.

Cox's admission came after Vegas accused Cox of theft in a press release. It also was hours after Cox told The Californian he did not steal or deface any Vegas signs.

"I borrowed the signs," Cox said this afternoon. "I told you I didn't steal or defame the signs. I stored them in pristine condition."

Original blog: 

Kern High School District Trustee Chad Vegas is accusing a local talk show host of stealing his campaign signs.

Vegas said in a news release Scott Cox of 1410 KERN News Talk has confessed and will return the signs this afternoon.

This morning, Cox told The Californian he did not steal or defame any of Vegas' signs.

He did say he'd love to know who did allegedly steal Vegas signs because "I'd chip in for gas money."

The Kern County Sheriff’s Department was still investigating the incident at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Senior Deputy Michael Whorf said.

He said the department took a report, and it has been assigned to a deputy.

“Someone reported a criminal act," Whorf said. "We take all reports seriously."

First off, come to the debate tonight:

7 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 2906 Loma Linda Dr.

Also, Chad Vegas and Charles Cournyea both say they have had campaign signs stolen.

Vegas said he has had almost 20 of his 4-by-8 signs stolen so far. The signs are worth about $1,000.

He reported the theft to the Sheriff's Department because he knows of an eyewitness who might be able to identify the person stealing the signs, Vegas said.

Cournyea said he has had 12 signs stolen from at least five different locations. He said it's not worth reporting because he doesn't know what the police could do.

"I put a lot of time and effort putting those signs out," Cournyea said.

He said he finds the incident funny. His message for the vandals: "If you want them that bad, that's fine."

Anyone see any signs being stolen? 

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Here is the second in a series of Kern High School District candidates that will appear on the ballot November 4.

If you have not registered to vote, go to this Web site to print out a registration form and mail it in on Ocober 20.

Also, if you want to see all blog posts on the KHSD election, click at the bottom of this blog on the words KHSD race to see all the stories.

Here's part of the profile on Charles R. Cournyea. You really should just read the whole thing here.

Age: 59

Board meetings attended last year: Three

Regular voter? The Kern County Elections Division shows he voted in 16 of 17 elections since 1993.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES (LIGHTLY EDITED):

1. What is the first thing you’d change about KHSD?

How the board perceives itself. They are not elected to be politicians or preachers. Trustees should be advocates that create policy for effective academic and vocational education.

I would also like to look into term limits.

2. Describe a board decision you’ve disagreed with.

Allowing religious ideologies to be made part of policy — “In God We Trust posters.”

3. Twelve of the district’s 16 comprehensive schools did not meet all requirements of No Child Left Behind. What can the board do to help meet these guidelines?

This is a complex issue that needs to be addressed at the federal level. However, it is imperative for our board to work with other district boards to review what is working.

4. Do you think the board has spent too little, too much or an appropriate amount of time and energy on religious and cultural issues?

Too much time! Although the board is not paid, the staff is. When noneducational issues become policy, it robs the taxpayers of our district money that could go to other projects.

5. How do you plan to stay connected with teachers, parents and students?

Face-to-face meetings. Boards spend too much time talking instead of listening. Reading reports, reviews and statistics doesn't work.

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Name: Chad Vegas

Office sought: Kern High School District trustee

Previous addresses for the past 10 years: Bakersfield

Date and place of birth: 1973

Spouse's name: Teresa

Children and ages: two, ages 6 and 7

Current occupation/employer: Pastor, Sovereign Grace Church

List employment history (past 20 years):
Pastor, Sovereign Grace Church, 2 years
Youth Pastor, RiverLakes Community Church, 6 years
Teacher, South High School, four years
Teacher, Cecil Ave. Jr. High, one year

Professional licenses:
Teaching Credential, Social Sciences
Teaching Credential, Special Education
Pastoral ordination and license

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? 32 years.

Political offices you have held: KHSD trustee

Political offices you have sought: KHSD trustee, 2004

Board memberships/Community activities:
Soccer coach, AYSO

Education:
B.A. Social Sciences, Fresno Pacific University
Social Sciences Credential, University of LaVerne
Learning Handicapped Credential, CSUB
M.A. Bible and Theology, Biola University

Military: California Army National Guard, 1991-1993

Describe anything you have published, invented, discovered, painted, etc., and events or hobbies that would be interesting for a biographical story:
I enjoy reading and athletics.

Campaign manager (if not yourself): Rachel Leach

Campaign committee members:
Paul Stine, Treasurer
Ken Mettler, Assistant Treasurer

State or Federal campaign ID number: 1267761

Campaign consultant: Providence Consulting, Tracy Leach

List all criminal convictions or pleas in this county and others (Include year):

List all civil court judgments against you or any business you have had a financial interest in (partnership, sole proprietor, corporation) in this county and others (include year):
 

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Blog tip: I know I've been putting up tons of information about the Kern High School District election, and as we get closer, it might become harder to sort through all the posts. So at the bottom of every KHSD election post, I have put KHSD race as a keyword. You can click on that to see every post on the KHSD race.

Also, why should you care about this race? 

In the past few years, the board has voted to: require freshmen to meet certain requirements before moving up to 10th grade, redraw district boundaries to accommodate two new high schools, allow single-sex P.E. and put posters with the national motto, "In God We Trust,” and other historical documents in all classrooms.

It rejected motions to allow drug-detecting dogs on campus and to have the district take a stance on Proposition 8.

So make sure you register. The election is November 4.

And with that, here some exerpts from the first candidate profile – Bob Hampton. Better yet, read the whole story.

Age: 70

Board meetings attended last year: All

Regular voter?: The Kern County Elections Division shows he voted in all 17 elections for which he was eligible since 1994.

Five questions to all candidates (lightly edited):

1. What is the first thing you’d change about KHSD?

Nothing. Not only are we the largest 9-12 district in the state but the best-run. The improvement in our vocational/technical/education offerings is just one of the many educational experiences we excel in.

2. Describe a board decision you’ve disagreed with.

In God We Trust posters. (Hampton was the lone no vote).

3. Twelve of the district’s 16 comprehensive schools did not meet all requirements of No Child Left Behind. What can the board do to help meet these guidelines?

Push harder for more local control. Washington, D.C., needs to let us fit our educational programs to the needs of our students.

4. Do you think the board has spent too little, too much or an appropriate amount of time and energy on religious and cultural issues?

The spiritual side of the student belongs in the home and the church, not in the public education system. Also, the spiritual side of an elected trustee should stay out of public education.

5. How do you plan to stay connected with teachers, parents and students?

Visit the schools, talk with the students outside of the campus. Always be open and available to meet with parents and grandparents.

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Name: Bill Perry

Office sought: Kern High School District Trustee

Web site address: billperryfortrustee.com

Date and place of birth: Decatur, AL  11-24-39 (Grew up in Pittsburgh, PA)

Spouse’s name: Margo

Number of children and ages: Two, ages 41,37

Current occupation/employer: CSUB Retired

List employment history (past 20 years): CSUB Administrator

Professional licenses: CA Secondary Teaching Credential, Community College Supervisor Credential

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election?  47 years

Political offices you have held:  None

Political offices you has sought: (dates, locations, outcomes): None

Board memberships/Community activities: Bakersfield Police Civil Service Commission, Steps

Education: A.A, B.C.; BA Fresno State; MA, CSUB; Ed. D. BYU

Military: Marine Corps. Reserve, 7 years

Describe anything you have published, invented, discovered, painted, etc., and events or hobbies that would be interesting for a biographical story: I am a strong Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Campaign committee members: Bill Hatcher, Janet Ford Shell, Margaret DeArmond, Janis Jones, Barbara Adams

List all criminal convictions or pleas in this county and others
(Include year):    None

List all civil court judgments against you or any business you have had a financial interest in (partnership, sole proprietor, corporation) in this county and others (include year):   None

Some of the county's finest young artists have their greatest works displayed at the Kern County Fair.

Elementary and middle school students have their art in Harvest Hall for two weeks, and there will be an award ceremony 10:30 a.m. Sept. 24 to celebrate their accomplishments.

Kern County Superintendent of Schools sponsors the event, and each original piece of art was judged earlier this month.

Here are the winners: 

2008 Kern County Fair Children’s Art Award Winners
 
Best of Show
Natalie Chambers — Rosedale Middle School
 
Special Education
1st — Arthur Gonzales —Golden Hills Elementary
Honorable Mention — Sierra Jones    — Golden Hills Elementary
 
Kindergarten
1st — Chasity Fletcher — Stockdale Elementary
Honorable Mention — Andrew Bransby — Endeavour Elementary
Honorable Mention — Andrew Bernard — Golden Hills Elementary
 
First Grade
1st — Alejandro Romero — Rio Bravo Elementary
Honorable Mention — Nayeli Camacho —Berkshire Elementary
Honorable Mention — Brettnee Williamson — Rio Bravo Elementary
Honorable Mention — Jayden Gray   — Williams School
 
Second Grade
1st — Matthew Anspach — Stockdale School
Honorable Mention — Jakob Koebrick — Centennial Elementary
Honorable Mention — Savanna Tumey — Williams School
 
Third Grade
1st — Kailey Blair — Centennial Elementary
Honorable Mention — Suzette Cabrera — Orangewood Elementary
Honorable Mention — Alyssa Ramirez — Rio Bravo Elementary
 
Fourth Grade
1st — Brandon Hill — Planz School
Honorable Mention — Darian Rodriguez —Princeton Street School
Honorable Mention — Mia Rios — Rio Bravo Greeley
Honorable Mention — Chandler Bandoli — Almondale Elementary
 
Fifth Grade
1st — Karina Birrueta — Maple Elementary
Honorable Mention — Taylor Camarillo — Rio Bravo Greeley
Honorable Mention — David Perez    — Maple Elementary
Honorable Mention — Morganne Hill — Rio Bravo Greeley
 

Sixth Grade
1st — Brittney Lu — Quailwood Elementary
Honorable Mention — Ashlyn Hamilton — Quailwood Elementary
Honorable Mention — Ruben Reyes  — Blanton Elementary
Honorable Mention — Destine Rahberger — Jacobsen Middle
 
Seventh Grade
1st — Kira Morris — Rosedale Middle
Honorable Mention — Roxana Chaidez —    Rosedale Middle
Honorable Mention — Celeste Carrera — Rosedale Middle
 
Eighth Grade
1st — Tyler Hartsfield— Rosedale Middle
Honorable Mention — Mandy Xiao    — Rosedale Middle
Honorable Mention — Andrew Hansen — Jacobsen Middle

Honorable Mention — Maria Ornelas — Edison Middle

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Name: Charles R. Cournyea       

Office sought: Trustee, Kern High School District

Date and place of birth: October 21, 1948  -  Lockport, New York

Spouse’s name:  Katherine D. Vargo

Number of children and ages:  Three adult children, ages 39, 36, & 28

Current occupation/employer:  Senior minister at Unity Church of Bakersfield

List employment history (past 20 years):  October 1993 to present Unity Church of Bakersfield; August 1990 to September 1993  Ministerial student at Unity School of Christianity and telephone prayer room worker for Silent Unity; June 1977 to March 1990  owner of Spartan Pest Control Services and Allied Environmental Services of Broward County, Florida

Professional licenses:  State of Florida, Office of Entomology, Pest Control Certification;  Ministerial license and ordination issued by The Association of Unity Churches International.

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election?
16 years

Political offices you have held:  None

Political offices you have sought: (dates, locations, outcomes): None

Board memberships/Community activities:
Volunteer for C.A.S.A. of Kern County since 1995
Former president (2007) of the Interfaith Alliance of Kern County
Spiritual leader of Spiritual Bridges of Kern County
Past treasurer and CFO of West Central Region of the Association of Unity Churches International  from 1995 to 2004
Regional director and environmental Liaison officer for the Florida Pest Control Association from 1986 to 1988 in Broward County, FL
Adjunct instructor and pest control advisory team member for the Pest Control Technology Program at Broward Community College, FL from 1987 to 1989.

Education:  Some college

Military: U.S. Army from 1966 to 1970   Vietnam veteran honorably discharged with The Army Commendation Medal for services in Vietnam.

Describe anything you have published, invented, discovered, painted, etc., and events or hobbies that would be interesting for a biographical story:  I love working with wood.  It’s a real hands on experience that energizes me.  I have made several tables for the church.  

Campaign committee members: Phillip Anderson, Dr. Donel Crow, Deborah Goaldman, Michael Miller, Dr. Chuck Wall, and Ray Wallace.

List all criminal convictions or pleas in this county and others (Include year):  None


List all civil court judgments against you or any business you have had a financial interest in (partnership, sole proprietor, corporation) in this county and others (include year):  None
 

Here's a look from Inside Higher Ed at the ruling a California appeals court unanimously made Monday that says illegal immigrants receiving in-state tuition conflicts with federal law.

In reinstating a lawsuit challenging tuition policy Monday, a California appeals court unanimously found that a state statute extending lower in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants conflicts with federal law and “thwarts the will of Congress.”

California is one of 10 states that makes undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition rates. In California’s case, students can be exempt from paying nonresident rates if they graduated from and attended a California high school for three or more years and, in the case of undocumented students, if they file an affidavit stating intent to legalize their status if they become eligible to do so.

On a federal level, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit dismissed a challenge to a similar law in Kansas in 2007 because the plaintiffs were found to lack standing.

In the appeal court’s ruling in Martinez v. Regents of the University of California, which had earlier been dismissed by a trial court, the panel of three judges defined the central question at hand as whether the state’s authorization of in-state tuition rates for illegal immigrants violates federal law, which maintains: “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a state (or a political subdivision) for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit (in no less an amount, duration, and scope) without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident.”   Read more...

Video games may not stunt teenagers' social growth and civic engagement as many parents have long feared, according to a study released Tuesday.

However, researchers did find a correlation between how teens play the games and their social development.

Children who game together—whether in family basements or after-school clubs—are more likely to volunteer, raise money for a charity or participate politically than those who play alone, according to a report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project in Washington.

Sixty-four percent of those who play with others in the room said they have raised money for a charitable cause, for example, compared with 55 percent of those who are in a room alone when they play. The engagement did not appear to be affected by how often the teens played or the types of games they chose.

Overall, "there was no evidence that playing games isolates or distracts youth from civic and political life," said Joseph Kahne, a co-author of the report and education professor at Mills College in California. Read more... 

What do you think? Are kids glued to computers, TVs and hand-held devices as interested in politics as their bookworm counterparts?

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Here's the latest candidate questionnaire filled out by hopefuls for the Kern High School District board of trustees:

Name:  Larry W. "Captain" Bly

Office sought: KHSD Board of Trustees

Previous addresses for the past 10 years: Modesto

Date and place of birth: 1952, Inglewood, Calif.

Number of children and ages:  Max, 19

Current occupation/employer:  retired

List employment history (past 20 years): OUSD, GGUSD, IDS American express, Mass Mutual, Independent Financial Planner, Sun Electric, Trak Auto, Farmers Insurance

Professional licenses: Teaching credentials in vocational automotive, industrial technology, health education series 7, 63, life & health, casualty

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? 12 years

Political offices you have held: None

Political offices you have sought: (dates, locations, outcomes): 2000 Kern Elementary District - lost by 13 votes

Board memberships/Community activities: Bakersfield & Kern Kiwanis

Education:
1973 A.S. Automotive & Diesel Technology
B.A. Industrial Arts

Military: N/A

Describe anything you have published, invented, discovered, painted, etc., and events or hobbies that would be interesting for a biographical story:  I write poetry, Ambassador for Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland, I met my former wife in Brazil

List all criminal convictions or pleas in this county and others:  None

List all civil court judgments against you or any business you have had a financial interest in (partnership, sole proprietor, corporation) in this county and others (include year): None

A Los Angeles Times story:

SACRAMENTO -- Legislative leaders announced Sunday that they had reached a deal on a no-new-taxes state spending plan, bringing the longest budget impasse in modern California history nearly to an end.

Their proposal would increase spending for education and healthcare, though not enough to avoid cutbacks in services. It would borrow against the state lottery. And it relies heavily on maneuvers that would push the state's financial problems into the future at a time when economists have little hope that revenue is on the rebound.

Read more about the state budget...

Also, stay tuned to find out what the budget will mean for Kern County schools.

Here's a story that ran Saturday about one of Kern County's success stories. Voorhies made national and state elementary school guidelines and came out of Program Improvement.

Their challenges were many: Lots of English learners, low-income kids, years of hearing their students couldn’t make it.

But administrators and teachers at Voorhies Elementary School in southeast Bakersfield didn’t give up. Now they’re out from under four years of federal and state sanctions labeled Program Improvement.

“We have climbed up a hill that’s so steep and rocky, and every time we got close an avalanche or storm would knock us down,” said third grade teacher Barbara Grider, who jumped up and down then cried when she heard the news. “Now, we’ve climbed to the top.” Read more...

Also, here's a column in the Los Angeles Times questioning whether special-education students should have to take the High School Exit Exam.

The predictable result came in last week from forcing students with disabilities to pass a high school exit exam in order to earn a diploma. Nearly half failed.

Failed. Demoralizing words for some kids who struggle daily to perform tasks most teens carry out with ease.

The psychological damage "is horrific," says Sid Wolinsky, director of litigation for Disability Rights Advocates, which fought unsuccessfully for alternative ways to measure the knowledge of special education students.

"We had dozens of sworn declarations from parents about the deep depression that their disabled children went into when they didn't pass the exit exam," Wolinsky says. "When you're a child with a disability, you start with problems of stigma, societal stereotyping and self confidence.

"Then you're shattered when you can't pass the exit exam. You blame yourself and have terrible problems with self worth." Read more...

Kern High School District is looking for industry professionals to teach Career and Technical Education classes.

Industry professionals with at least five years of experience can receive a Designated Subjects Career Technical Education Teaching Credential, which allows them to teach classes in a certain area.

The district will hold an informational night at 6 p.m. September 23 in the board room at the district’s offices, 5801 Sundale Ave.

The credential program is for people who could teach classes in the following areas: agriculture and natural resources, arts, media and entertainment, building trades and construction, education, child development and family services, energy and utilities, engineering and design, fashion and interior design, finance and business, health science and mediclal technology, hopsitality, tourism and recreation, information technology, manufacturing and product development, maketing sales and service, public service and transportation.

To qualify for the credential program, a person needs at least 5 years of full-time or part-time work experience or the educational equivalent. Experience can be paid or unpaid.

Also, at least one year of work experience must be within three years of enrolling in the credential program.

I'm putting together some questions to ask the Kern High School District candidates, either by e-mail or in person.

Is there anything you really want to know about the KHSD candidates?

Also, stay tuned to the blog to see more candidate questionnaires and get the latest updates.

Schools are suffering because the state has not passed a budget, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell said at a Sacramento news conference Wednesday.

In a copy of his speech, he blames the governor for not working toward a solution and for “displays of cheap showmanship and petty attacks on the legislature." He also writes that the legislature does not seem near a compromise.

“All the while, education suffers… students suffer… the future suffers,” he wrote in his speech. “Without a budget in place, a number of vital programs will be significantly impacted.”

He said programs that could be hurt include child care, adult education, special education, Gifted and Talented Education programs, school transportation and class-size reduction for K-3. He recommends the governor and legislature passes a budget that meets the needs of all students as soon as possible.

Rosedale Union School District cut class-size reduction for kindergarten because of the projected shortfall in state funding for education. On Saturday, Marylee Shrider wrote a column about the issue.

Have you noticed problems at local schools because of a cut-back in state education funding? Or because the budget hasn't been passed? 
 

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This is the first in a series of questionnaires filled out by candidates for Kern High School District trustee.

Name: Bob J. Hampton

Office sought: Kern High School District Trustee

Date and place of birth: 1938, San Bernardino

Spouse's name: Judy

Number of children and ages: Seven, ages 43, 44, 44, 46, 47, 47, 49

Current occupation/employer:  Owner of Westside Waste Management Co. Inc.

List employment history (past 20 years):  Self-employed in waste hauling

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? 25 years

Political offices you have held: 13 years Kern High School District trustee
 
Board memberships/Community activities:

Kern County Assessment Appeals Board

President - Taft College Foundation

Bob Elias Hall of Fame Board

Education: Master's Degree — USC

Describe anything you have published, invented, discovered, painted, etc., and events or hobbies that would be interesting for a biographical story:

Appeared in the movie “Absent Minded Professor”

Collector of Antique Oriental Carpets

Campaign committee members: Julie Calvin - daughter

List all criminal convictions or pleas in this county and others (Include year): None

List all civil court judgments against you or any business you have had a financial interest in (partnership, sole proprietor, corporation) in this county and others (include year):  None

Candidate statement:

(I'm) tremendously interested and motivated to continue giving back to our Public Education System.  Former Educator.  In Private Business for past thirty-three years.  Committed to parental involvement.  Will continue to strive for a positive learning environment for all students, faculty, administration, and staff.