Pomona Unified candidates answer forum questions

 Questions on various topics including independent studies and the absence of the arts in schools were among the topics addressed this week by candidates seeking election to the Pomona Unified School District Board of Education.

 

Most candidates participated in the Thursday night forum organized by the Willie White Park Focus Group in the Willie White Park Community Center. Candidates Robert Torres and Jason Rothman did not take part in the forum which drew more than 35 people to the small center.

 

Candidates were asked to comment on the use of independent studies, or home study, programs for some students.

 

Challenger Frank Guzman said placing students in such a program is not beneficial because they have very limited access to teachers.

 

"I think we need to re-evaluate it," he said adding it could become a good program but it needs "someone that nurtures people back to regular school." 

 

Challenger Hank Mollet said such programs work for students who are doing well academically or "when you have a motivated student."

 

Outside of those instances such programs don't usually work and parents need to bring their concerns to their child's principal and district personnel, he said.

 

Appointed incumbent Adrienne Konigar-Macklin said independent studies must still be structured and should have greater staffing so students have structure and adequate time with a teacher.

 

To do that requires funds to make changes that will create a better academic environment.

 

"The same things children get in class, students and parents should have at home," she said.

 

Challenger Roberta Perlman said in some situations "to have (students) on their own is not a good idea."

 

With "home study I think we do a tremendous disservice to students," she said, adding alternatives such as the School of Extended Education Opportunities, a dependent charter school of the district, provide better options.

 

Challenger Nancy Matarrita said more options are needed for students besides independent studies. Aside from the School of Extended Education Opportunities, families should have other resources including home schooling "but that's for the highly motivated."

 

Incumbent John Avila said home study needs greater supervision and support but that also requires more funding.

 

However, the district has established other programs such as the Credit Recovery System which is producing positive results and is giving students an alternative to complete their studies at home.

 

Incumbent Andrew Wong said when he was elected he promised he would seek educational options for students. The School of Extended Educational Opportunities is just one of those options. 

 

The school "was the first dependent charter school in the district," Wong said adding that the Credit Recovery System is another option that has been set in place recently. 

 

Appointed incumbent Steve Lustro said: "I think home study should be the last option plain and simple."

 

In such a program a student is unable to get "a full educational experience."

 

Other options are available that are much more beneficial to students but the goal should be to work with a student and his parents so the young person can return to a traditional classroom, Lustro said.

 

Candidates were asked how students can have a well-rounded education if in some instances they are not receiving instruction in areas such as the arts, social studies, geography or economics.

 

Mollet said, "They won't be unless they have great parental support." With the limited funds available now parents need to play a part in providing exposure to arts and other areas, he said.

 

Konigar-Macklin said culture in school is necessary and when the state is cutting back on funding such courses are lost. However, in such times partnerships with organizations that can provide such programs should be sought.

 

Perlman said she has participated in community events designed to offer students exposure to science and the arts but more is needed.

 

"To have a well-rounded education is imperative to our students," she said.

 

Matarrita said teaching multiple subjects in one lesson is one way of bringing in more areas of education to children.

 

Topics such as the arts do more than educate, she said, adding, "the main thing those programs do is inspire our students to stay in school."

 

Avila said the arts are important to education and can play a part in keeping a student interested in school but when there is limited time, personnel and funding they can end up being sacrificed. Still the district is trying to keep some arts programming in schools.

 

Wong said providing a well-rounded education has been a priority for him and he has advocated for the district to work with other institutions to provide greater academic opportunities for students that can lead to improved performance in class.

 

Lustro favors the creation of a committee in which community members will be able to offer recommendations on budget issues to elected officials, including the place of the arts and other valuable courses, but parents and family must also help in educating children by exposing them to subjects they don't get in school.

 

Guzman said, "Simply we cannot have a well-rounded child without those programs," adding he will seek to bring such programs to schools.