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Make sure you check out all the candidates talking about why they are running!

It is great to hear their voices, and we told each candidate to talk about their platform in about 40 seconds, which limits the rambling.

I would love to hear your opinions on this format and whether you find this helpful. Start posting below.

Also, It's time folks. Tuesday you need to take off work, hire a babysitter or just get off the couch to GO VOTE. The Kern High School District is one of the races where it could easily come down to ONE vote! So if you don't think that your vote matters, think again.

Before you vote, read up. If you've missed one of the profiles, check out our elections page.

So basically, you have a lot of reading and audio listening to choose from, so get to work.

As the popular Diddy slogan goes, VOTE OR DIE on Tuesday. No excuses.

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Here is our final candidate profile for Robert S. Frank II. Read the whole thing here. Since I never posted Frank's candidate questionnaire, it is below.

Age: 36

Board meetings attended last year: None

Regular voter? The Kern County Elections Division shows he voted in 12 out of 12 elections for which he was eligible since 1996.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES (LIGHTLY EDITED):

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

To refocus its attention on the upcoming problems facing education, namely fiscal problems. It's going to take the whole community to pitch in to help through the lean times, not just certain constituencies.

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

The production of the “In God We Trust” posters. This is money better spent on academic materials. If this was so important, the money should have been used specifically in government courses.

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?

By providing the leadership, tools and time to listen to help the schools acquire what they need to meet the standards. No Child Left Behind, however, is an unmitigated disaster.

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?

Any time on these issues is too much. Adversity and community divisiveness has no place in anywhere within the academic system. Schools are the way we pass on our sense of civic responsibility that allow all of our disparate cultures to live in this country together as a whole.

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

Teachers, I can meet with their representatives. Parents, I plan to have an “open inbox” policy, where they should have my e-mail address. Students, I plan on utilizing the student government structure to listen to the needs of the actual student body.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: 

Name: Robert S. Frank II

Office sought: Kern High School District Trustee

Web site address: www.xanga.com/sterlingfrank/

Date and place of birth: 12 Sept 1972, Torrance CA

Spouse’s name:     

Number of children and ages:

Current occupation/employer: Student, CSUB (History Mjr, PoliSci Mnr.)

List employment history (past 20 years): A bunch of bad jobs

Professional licenses: AA Computer Graphic Arts, Win2K Certified NetAdmin

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? 34 years

Political offices you have held: None

Political offices you has sought: (dates, locations, outcomes):
First time

Board memberships/Community activities:

Education:      
9 years in Panama School District (now Panama-Buenavista) 4 in KHSD

Military:

Describe anything you have published, invented, discovered, painted, etc., and events or hobbies that would be interesting for a biographical story: Producer of Cavalier Cavalry Productions, Game demonstrator for Catalyst Game Labs

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):
 

There's been talk, including by Inga Barks Wednesday on her 1410 KERN News/Talk radio show, that the media were failing to do their job because they had not reported on Rob Badewitz’s criminal record.

Badewitz is the 21-year-old No on Proposition 8 protester that was kicked and punched by Kern High School District Trustee Ken Mettler last Friday.

Mettler had been rallying for the proposition and said he went over to the "No" side to pick up "Yes" signs at California Avenue and Stockdale Highway.

Mettler said Badewitz threw the first punch so he was merely defending himself.

Actually, The Californian started investigating Badewitz's criminal record Tuesday. We didn't report the findings then because they seemed irrelevant. Neither did we (on the news side) report Mettler's criminal record.

Here are the facts as we know them:

• In San Diego County, Badewitz was convicted in 2007 on one count of felony possession of a controlled substance for having two ecstasy pills, not cocaine as Barks reported.

• Barks said Badewitz was convicted of something else as well. San Diego County court officials said the only conviction they have on record for Badewitz is the drug possession.

• Badewitz does have a restraining order against him from 2007. We are in the process of retrieving that file from San Diego County.

Barks mentioned Badewitz hit a 17-year-old a few nights ago. The Bakersfield Police Department has not taken such a report. We will keep you posted if a report is filed.

Now here's Mettler's record, as reported by The Californian editorial staff a few days ago:

Six years ago, Mettler -- then a Rosedale Union School District incumbent running for reelection -- was cited for allegedly vandalizing a sign urging voters to reject him and two other candidates for the November 2002 school board election.

Campaign opponents say Mettler covered portions of the campaign sign with white paper, making it look like the sign -- which had been placed across the street from the district office -- urged voters to vote for Mettler and the others, instead of urging them to vote against them.

Charges were dismissed by Judge Sidney Chapin not because of any evidence that pointed to Mettler's innocence but because the judge agreed with the defense's contention that Mettler's alleged actions did not meet the definition of graffiti as set forth in the relevant penal code section.

There. Of all this, what do you find relevant?
 

Both sides of the Proposition 8 debate are airing ads debating how the marriage initiative would affect the schools.

Would same-sex marriages be highlighted along with traditional ones? Would youngsters have to read books about a two-daddy family?

Local educators say the Nov. 4 ballot measure would not change current policies and curriculum. But a local school trustee is among many who insist gay marriage would have to be part of comprehensive sex education.

Meanwhile, Rosedale Union School District Superintendent Jamie Henderson said he wishes people would stop pushing political or social agendas on districts.

“Right now we are so focused and busy with language arts and math state standards that we just do not have time for these type of issues in the curriculum,” he said.

You can read the full story here.

Whose side do you buy?
 

A protestor caught on tape KHSD trustee Ken Mettler punching and kicking another No on 8 protestor Friday night.

No one was arrested or cited.

Watch the video.

Here are some questions: Should he quit from his post? Should he apologize? Is it fair that he was not arrested? If Mettler were up for reelection this round, would you vote for him after watching this video? Is this the media making out mountain out of a molehill? Other thoughts?

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Name: Michael Ferguson

Other name(s) used: Mike

Office sought: Fruitvale School District board

Born: 1974, Bakersfield

Spouse's name: Ann

Children: Two: Lauren 9,  Dalton 7

Current occupation/employer: Branch manager, SCP Distributors

List employment history (past 20 years): 
• SCP, three years
• Butler Construction, one year
• Steve Odgen Concrete, two years
• Self-employed, six years
• Golden Empire Ambulance, three years
• Asian Auto Service, five years

Professional licenses: N/A

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? 11 years

Political offices you have held: None

Political offices you have sought (dates, locations, outcomes): N/A

Board memberships/Community activities:
• Church and children's Awana programs

• Past leader Boy Scouts of America, Children's Miracle Network

Education: West High School, Bakersfield College, South University

Military: N/A

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

Campaign manager: Lynn Gillette

State or Federal campaign ID number: 1093564

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
 

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Name: Stan Greene

Office sought: Fruitvale School Board Member

Date and place of birth: 1968, Glens Falls, N.Y.

Spouse's name: Amy

Number of children and ages: Three: 12,  9,  4

Current occupation/employer: Assistant principal, instruction - Bakersfield High School

List employment history (past 20 years):     
Two years assistant principal
Six years dean of student discipline
Nine years classroom teacher

Professional licenses:
Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential
Clear Administrative Services Credential

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? Since 1994

Political offices you have held: Board member, Fruitvale School District

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

Board memberships/Community activities:
       
Background in education: My entire career has been in education. For 17 years I have been involved in education of students in Kern County. I have served as a board member for the past four years on the Fruitvale School Board.

Your personal education (high schools, colleges attended, degrees earned):
Master of Arts, Curriculum and Instruction, Cal State Bakersfield
Bachelor of Science, Boston University
Administrative Services, Fresno Pacific University
Clear Administrative Credential, Point Loma
High School Diploma, Redwood High School, Visalia

Military:

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

Other name(s) used:  Escobar

Office sought:  Fruitvale School District Board Member
 
Date and place of birth: 1970, Eagle Pass, Texas

Spouse's name:  -

Number of children and ages:  One, 7 years old

Current occupation/employer:  Supervising Legal Process Technician

List employment history (past 20 years):   Kern County District Attorney's Office since Sept 1998

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election?  1 year

Political offices you have held:

Political offices you have sought: (dates, locations, outcomes):

Board memberships/Community activities: 

Background in education:  

Your personal education (high schools, colleges attended, degrees earned): University of California, Santa Cruz 1993   Philosophy major

Military:

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

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):
 

After the last debate, I wanted to take some time and point out some of the main points Barack Obama and John McCain made during the 9-minute education section. I think this part of the debate was especially important because we haven’t heard too much about how each candidate plans to handle the education system, including No Child Left Behind.

I was reminded to do this after watching Meet the Press today and hearing Colin Powell say:
“I think the American people and the gentlemen running for president will
have to, early on, focus on education more than we have seen in the campaign so far.  America has a terrible educational problem in the sense that we have too many youngsters not finishing school.  A third of our kids don’t finish high school, 50 percent of minorities don’t finish high school. We’ve got to work on this,”

So here are some of the main differences in the McCain/Obama policies that they stated during the debate:

Obama:
-    Opposes vouchers.
-    Opposes No Child Left Behind.
-    Increase money for early childhood education
-    Recruit new teachers, especially in math and science. Give them more professional development and hold them accountable.
-    Plans to give a $4,000 college tuition credit in exchange for community service – military, Peace Corps, etc.
-    Remind parents to start being more involved and responsible.

McCain:
-    Supports vouchers.
-    Fix No Child Left Behind and reauthorize it.
-    Encourage programs like Teach for America and Troops for Teachers.
-    Make student loans available for college students. Need to revamp repayment schedule and increase certain loan eligibility to inflation. Also, have full student loan programs for in-state tuition.
-    Reform programs, like Head Start
-    Find a way to fund autism research

Both:
-    Charter schools should be available to increase competition.
-    Promote and reward good teachers. 
 

How do you think the presidential candidates did when it comes to education? Which plan are you more in favor of? Where do you rank education in the list of priorities for whoever is elected? 

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While balancing on a chair, seventh grader Gabbie Torres placed the final straw on top of a shaky tower of straws and tape.

After it appeared it would hold, she nervously laughed with her mom, Vanessa Rueda, and said “don’t touch it.”

Parents and students crowded into classrooms at Sierra Middle School to conduct hands-on experiments Wednesday night.

As the presidential candidates talked about the shortage of students entering math and science careers, the local chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers decided to give students a little encouragement by hosting the science night.

“We need to show students science is fun, and it is not just about being in a classroom studying. They need to learn that there is a real-world application,” Halliburton engineer Ernesto Bustamante said.

For years, people in math and science industries have worried about the shortage of U.S. students majoring in these subjects, said Christine Bertrand, executive director of the California Science Teachers Association.

The association recommends students do hands-on activities to see what a career in science or math is like.

Bustamante said the United States doesn’t spend as much time teaching science and math as other countries. During the past week, the engineer society held events similar to Sierra Family Science Night around the nation to encourage schools and students to put an emphasis on these subjects.

Read more...

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Name: Marisa G. Wood                               
 
Office sought: Kern High School District Trustee

Previous addresses for the past 10 years: Bakersfield

Date and place of birth: 1/7/1961 Walnut Creek, CA

Spouse’s name: John T. Wood

Number of children and ages: John S. (19), Casey (16), Jamie (15)

Current occupation/employer: GATE Teacher/Fairfax School District

List employment history (past 20 years): 2001-2008 Fairfax School District
1998-2001 Language Arts Teacher/Carden School of Bakersfield
1997-1998 Classified Employee/Fremont Elementary School
1986-1989  Personal Secretary/ Century 21 America West Real Estate

Professional licenses: California Clear Teaching Credential/Single Subject

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? 23 years

Political offices you have held: none

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

Board memberships/Community activities: Religious Education Teacher/St. Francis Parish

Education: Associate of Arts Degree/ Diablo Valley College, Bachelor of Arts Degree/Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California Clear Teaching Credential/ Cal Poly San Luis Obispo     

Military: 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
 

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Name: Jeff Locke   

Office sought: Kern High School Board of Trustees

Previous addresses for the past 10 years: Bakersfield
        
Date and place of birth: 6/8/1980 Bakersfield, CA

Spouse’s name: Amanda

Number of children and ages: None

Current occupation/employer: Sales / Williams-Sonoma Inc.

List employment history (past 20 years): Teacher, Substitute, Cashier, Painter, Carpenter, Heavy Equipment Operator and Dishwasher.

Professional licenses: California Single Subject Teaching Credential, Intern Permit, Certificate of Clearance.

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? 7-8 years

Political offices you have held: None

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

Board memberships/Community activities: Cost Program through KHSD

Education: B.A. Theater CSU Bakersfield     

Military: 8 Years US Marine Corps Reserve, Operation Iraqi Freedom

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
 

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Name: Joe M. Dobitz

Office sought:  Fruitvale School District -School Board Trustee

Date and place of birth: 1940, Hettinger County, N.D.

Spouse's name:  Claudia Dobitz

Number of children and ages: Four: 49, 48, 43 and one deceased

Current occupation/employer:  Retired general contractor

List employment history (past 20 years):  General contractor

Professional licenses:  Contractor's license

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? 39 years

Political offices you have held:  None

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

Board memberships/Community activities:
Fruitvale School Board  29 years, Member of Christ the King Catholic Church -Parish Council, Finance Council and Knights of Columbus

Background in education:

Your personal education (high schools, colleges attended, degrees earned):  Dickinson High School,  Dickinson, N.D., and Bakersfield College

Military:  Nine years in the National Guard

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

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 
 

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Name: Gary Moore   

Office sought: Board Member Rosedale Union School Board

Date and place of birth: 1956

Spouse's name: Claudia Moore

Number of children and ages: Two, 19 years, 16 years

Current occupation/employer: Lieutenant for Bakersfield Police Department

List employment history (past 20 years): 30 years at Bakersfield Police Department

Professional licenses: None

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? 24 years

Political offices you have held: Board member Rosedale Union School District, past Republican Central Committee member

Political offices you have sought: (dates, locations, outcomes): Listed above

Board memberships/Community activities: Junior high director Bridge Bible Church, past high school director Bridge Bible Church, emergency food and shelter board member, Past youth director Laurelglen Bible Church

Background in education:

Your personal education (high schools, colleges attended, degrees earned):

Supervisory Leadership Institute, BS from Cal State Sacramento, AA from American River Junior College

Military: None

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 kids and have worked with youth for the last 24 years as a volunteer.

Campaign manager (if not yourself): None

Campaign committee members: None

State or Federal campaign ID number: None

Campaign consultant: None

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

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Name: Michael Spickler

Office sought: Rosedale Union School District Board

Previous addresses for the past 10 years:

Date and place of birth: 1960, Bakersfield

Spouse's name: Susan

Number of children and ages: Three, ages 19, 14 and 3

Occupation/employer: Businessman

List employment history (past 20 years):

Bakersfield businessman since 1983

Food industry owner/manager 1983-2003

Real estate and construction manager: 2004-present

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? Moved to Rosedale in 1994 but life-long Bakersfield resident

Political offices you have held:

Political offices you have sought: (dates, locations, outcomes):

Board memberships/Community activities:
Past president, Almondale Parent Teacher Club, Almondale and Freedom Parent Teacher Club board member, Houchin Community Blood Bank 11 Gallon Club, coach, BASA, NOR, AYSO, Boy Scouts of America leader Pack 58 and Troop 147

Background in education:

Your personal education (high schools, colleges attended, degrees earned): Graduated from South High School in 1978

Military: U.S. Marine Corps. four years

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

Campaign manager (if not yourself):

Campaign committee members:

State or Federal campaign ID number:

Campaign consultant:

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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Name: Cody Bennett   

Office sought: Rosedale Union School District Board

Previous addresses for the past 10 years:

Northwest Bakersfield 2005-present

Southwest Bakersfield 2003-2005

Northwest Bakersfield 2000-2003
Tehachapi 1989-2000

Date and place of birth: 1978, Visalia

Spouse's name: Haley

Number of children and ages: three children, 5 years, 3 years and 8 months

Occupation/employer: Construction engineer

List employment history (past 20 years): Hard Rock Construction & Engineering Inc.; Asphalt Sealing and Paving

Professional licenses: EIT Certificate #129782, General Engineering Contractor

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? Just over three years

Political offices you have held: None

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

Board memberships/Community activities: Boy Scouts of America, Youth Sports

Background in education:

Your personal education (high schools, colleges attended, degrees earned): Tehachapi High School, Bakersfield College

Military: None

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

Campaign manager (if not yourself): Marina Portillo

Campaign committee members: Marina Portillo, Cami Bean

State or Federal campaign ID number:

Campaign consultant: None

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
 

There has been a lot written about the Kern High School District race. But really, you should go see and meet the candidates for yourself if possible.

Here's the info:

All seven candidates for the Kern High School District board are scheduled to attend a forum 7 p.m. Thursday in the West High School auditorium.
The district’s Parent Advisory Council is sponsoring the event, and members of the council will question the candidates before turning it over for questions from the audience, according to a news release from the district.
The forum will continue for at least two hours. West High is at 1200 New Stine Road.
 

Here are the paper's endorsements for the Kern High School District race.

The Californian editorial board endorsed Bob Hampton and Chad Vegas, the incumbents.

Columnist Lois Henry endorsed Anyone But Chad.

What are your endorsements? Who are you planning to vote for and why?

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A Call for Educa~.doc

Here is the sixth 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.

The candidate profile will run Saturday for Chad Vegas. You can read the full story here.

Also, attached to this post is the plan Chad Vegas and Joel Heinrichs have created to reform the school district.

Age: 35

Board meetings attended last year: Almost all

Regular voter? The Kern County Elections Division shows he voted in 14 out of 14 elections for which he was eligible since 1996.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES (LIGHTLY EDITED):

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

I would rethink the philosophy of public education. I think choice and competition is necessary. I would want at least three academic pathways that allow students to pursue college, advanced technical training or vocational training leading to employment upon graduation.

I would add charter schools, online school options, partnerships with community colleges, expanded career technical academies and home school partnerships.

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

I agreed with a majority of the decisions. I thought we should vote to support Proposition 8.

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 should increase the number of students we place in “academic boot camps” and improve our English Language learner programs.

Also, we need to recognize NCLB is flawed, especially as it assesses high school students only once and after only 14 months of high school.

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 right amount of time is being spent. I think we have talked about two of these issues in four years.

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

By serving on the board and through my full-time pastoral ministry.

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I just realized I forgot to post the candidate profile for Larry Bly that ran Monday. Read the whole thing here.

Age: 55

Board meeting attended last year: None

Regular voter? The Kern County Elections Division shows he voted in 9 out of 9 elections for which he was eligible since 1998.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES (Lightly edited):

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

I would propose a bylaw amendment to prohibit the board from supporting or opposing any proposition or ballot initiative that does not directly affect the district.

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

Proposition 8. No issues – other than issues that deal directly with education, funding or the operation of the school district – should be discussed, opposed, or supported.

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?

I recommend pre-testing every student at the beginning of each semester. Then, self-paced individualized materials can be developed. By focusing on each student's deficiencies rather than making every student study everything on the tests, students will not be bored and frustrated.

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 board only meets once a month and too many hours have been spent discussing those issues. More important issues are the student dropout rate and test scores. Also, offering a wider variety of vocational education programs should be the highest priority.

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

My home phone number will be available to anyone who wishes to talk to me. Currently, I am an adviser for the Key Club at Bakersfield High School.

After getting one of those pesky colds here (which I still don't understand how that is possible in 80-degree weather), I am back at work and ready to blog.

At the Kern High School District Board meeting, they approved a pilot program to allow drug-sniffing dogs into schools. The dogs can sniff for drugs in lockers, desks or vehicles on campuses and district-sponsored events.

To avoid any legal issues, the dogs cannot sniff near any students. The pilot program is set to start in the 2008-09 school year. Bob Hampton is the only trustee to vote against the proposal because he thought it would hurt the trust in the schools.

Do you think this is the best way to keep drugs out of our schools?

Also... I've been looking around to see some of the education issues other states are dealing with in the upcoming election.

In the most contentious state for education ballot measures, Oregon voters will decide if  teachers salaries should be based on performance instead of seniority. Also, they will decide whether schools will limit the amount of time English learner students can be taught in a language outside of English.

In my home state of Missouri, they are debating whether to increase the casino-gambling tax for a new elementary and secondary education improvement fund.

If you are a political junkie, you might find the rest of this chart of ballot measures interesting.

On Saturday, a story ran in the paper about whether the Kern High Teachers Association reached out to all seven candidates. Here's a portion:

After re-checking addresses, the Kern High Teachers Association is insisting it sent interview invitations to all high school district trustee candidates before endorsing two of them.

Chuck Cournyea, Robert Frank and Chad Vegas said they did not receive an invitation. Charles Rodriguez did not respond to calls.

The group endorsed Bob Hampton and Bill Perry. It said it only considered those two and Larry Bly because the others didn't schedule an in-person interview. More...

Candidate Chuck Cournyea sent me a response on Saturday evening to the story:

The recent article in today's paper: "Group insists it mailed invitations," is a slap in the face of all Kern High School District voters. 
 
It's amazing to me that Jan Graves found the time to call and verify what my address was but did not believe, as she stated, "it is not the association;s responsibility to chase down candidates."  She was quick to call me when news broke they did not mail out invitations to the other candidates.
 
No one asked them to "chase" anyone done.  A phone call would have done it.  They made sure some people were there but not the rest. Why?  Because their mind was already made up as to who they were going to endorse.  Their actions speak louder than any words -- for the group's integrity and their endorsements are now in question.
 

What do you think? Is a mailed invitation enough? 

The Kern High School Teachers Association announced Wednesday it’s endorsing incumbent Bob Hampton and candidate Bill Perry for the Kern High School District board.

The board only considered Perry, Hampton and Larry Bly for endorsement because the other four candidates did not arrange for an in-person interview.

Charles Cournyea, Chad Vegas and Robert Frank said they never received an invitation. Charles Rodriguez did not return a call Wednesday evening.

Teachers Association President Mitch Olson said the group got addresses for all seven candidates from the Kern County Elections Division and mailed them an invite.

“We believe we notified every candidate,” Olson said.

Cournyea said he is disappointed to not be considered.

“Believe me, had I got an (invitation), I would have been right on it. I’ve received other surveys from other groups and always responded to them,” he said.

Vegas said he is not surprised to not be invited.

“The fact is the union decided who they were going to endorse before this all started,” he said.

Perry said the endorsements are important for his campaign because the teachers are a large and important group in the district.

“People will look at it and say ‘OK, they are endorsing them,’ so I’m going to vote for them,” he said.

Olson said the association likes Perry’s background in public education. It also appreciated Perry’s interest and attendance at most board meetings.

“He is walking the walk and talking the talk,” Olson said.

The association endorsed Hampton because he has fought hard for teachers’ issues while on the board.

“Teachers really feel that he tackles the meat and potatoes issues like health benefits, insurance and the conditions teachers work in,” Olson said.

Hampton said it has always been beneficial to get the support of teachers.

“They’ll talk to their neighbors, and it’ll get a lot of votes out there,” Hampton said.

Today, District Attorney Ed Jagels said his office would not file charges against KERN 1410 talk show host Scott Cox for the signs he took last week.

Also, after scouring the law, his office is just as shocked as everyone else that charges cannot be filed, he said.

Because the office cannot prove that Cox planned to take the signs permanently, he did not commit theft, Jagels said.

"A person must have intent at the time the item was stolen to permanently deprive the owner of that property," he said.

Chad Vegas said the attorney's office has gone soft.

"Bottom line, our district attorney is not as interested in justice as he is in public opinion," he said. "That is the stupidest line of logic."

So what do you think? Was this theft? Did he steal or just borrow? Can anyone think of another situation in which this could possibly occur? 

Operation “Rolling Thunder” Truancy Sweep in Shafter resuted in 15 citations for truancy, according to the Kern High School District Police Department.

The multi-agency sweep focused on students from Richland School District and Kern High School District.
 
Check the breaking news blog for more results of the sweep.

Also, I should know around 5 p.m. who the Kern High Faculty Association plans to endorse for the board race.

This endorsement is important because:

- They extended an invitation to meet with all the candidates individually before deciding.

-They are educators and know the problems facing the district.

- With seven candidates, any extra endorsements will probably be important.

I'll blog and twitter once I know who they pick so make sure you keep hitting refresh on your browser.

larger view

If KHSD is not the school board race you are most interested in, do not fear. We will also have stories on the elections for Rosedale and BCSD coming up.

Also, if you are more of a tweeter than a blogger, check out our new Twitter feed at The_Grade.

And not to be repetitive, but I just sent my absentee ballot back to Missouri, since that is where I'm still registered. You should send in your voter registration and postmark it by October 20.

And here's the fourth KHSD candidate profile - Bill Perry. Here's the summary or read the whole thing here.

Age: 68

Board meetings attended last year: Almost all

Regular voter? The Kern County Elections Division shows he voted in 18 of 18 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?

The board’s propensity to become involved in noneducation issues.

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

I strongly disagreed with the decision to allow board members to sit in on administrative interviews.

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?

Put as many resources at the teachers disposal as possible so that we can meet the standards.

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?

I think the board needs to avoid religious and cultural issues mentioned. Those issues belong in the home and the church.

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

By listening and being available.