Schools

Charter Oak Unified School Board Election: Meet the Candidates

Three incumbents meet challenges by two familiar faces.

In the midst of a budget crisis and funds to K-12 education in constant uncertainty, the race for seats on local school boards is heating up.

Five candidates are vying for three seats on the Charter Oak Unified School District school board – incumbents Brian Akers, Bob Cruz and Joseph Probst face two challengers –  David Rose and Lois Shade.

Glendora Patch sent questionnaires to each of the five candidates covering their experience and current views on education. The following summaries are based on their answers. The order of candidates listed is based on alphabetical order of the candidates’ last names.

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Brian Akers

Brian Akers, 65, has served on the Charter Oak Unified school board for 16 years. He is a local business owner of the Aborta-Bug Pest Control Service. Having lived in the Charter Oak area for most of his life, Akers served on PTA’s and school councils prior to being elected to the school board. All three of his daughters attended schools in the Charter Oak Unified School District. As an incumbent, Akers believes his reelection to the school board is critical during uncertain financial times for schools. Akers also believes in continuing a positive relationship with school lobbying groups and teachers unions.

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“To continue with the stability is even more important now,” said Akers. “All school boards need to have the experience given the economic conditions and challenges that districts now face.

“I have the historical framework to contribute. I have the experience. I’ve been through it.”

Bob Cruz

Bob Cruz, 57, is a Public Affairs Manager for Southern California Gas Company and has lived in Covina for more than 30 years.

Three of Cruz’ children have graduated from Charter Oak High School and his youngest daughter is a 10th grader at the high school. Cruz said he is running for the school board as a way to give back to his community and to the education of future generations

Cruz believes that the most important issue facing schools is continuing the development of technology in classrooms such as smart boards, document cameras, LCD projectors and laptops.

“We need to look at developing adequate, reliable sources of funding for education in California. We need to ensure that our legislators continue to support education and recognize as a top funding priority when developing the state budget,” said Cruz. “We would hope that other districts look to Charter Oak where the old model of confrontational negotiations with both teachers and classified unions have given way to a more positive ‘team’ approach looking for solutions to benefit the district.”

Joseph Probst

Joseph Probst, 66, has lived in Glendora for 31 years where he and his wife raised their two children, sending them to schools in the Charter Oak Unified School District. Probst is a Professor Emeritus in Speech and Communication at Pasadena City College.

Probst was involved in PTA’s, school site councils and district committees before being elected to the school board in 1986. Probst served 10 years on the board, before being elected again four years later. In total, Probst has served 22 years on the school board.

Probst said he hopes to expand the district’s International Baccalaureate program into the elementary schools and develop a speech curriculum.

Probst also addressed old facilities, including the high school’s swimming pool, which he said is in serious need of upgrades. Probst points to his experience, as well as Cruz' role, with California school lobbying groups as a valuable asset as decisions are continuing to be made in Sacramento.

“I think the experience I bring to the school board is crucial in these harsh times. But you just can’t cut back there are things that need to be done,” said Probst. “We’re not a status quo board, and we keep moving ahead.”

David Rose

Special education teacher David Rose, 49, has lived in Charter Oak for 11 years. Rose ran for the school board in 2005 and served a term. He ran again in 2009, although he did not win.  He has been active in scouts, coaching and school site council. 

As a school board member in 2005, Rose advocated for Character Counts to improve citizenship, Response to Intervention and Vision 2006, which pushed schools to improve API scores.

Rose said the most important issue facing the school district is the never-ending roller coaster of the state budget and the handling of scarce funds.

“I feel better decisions could have been made regarding the funds we do have, “ said Rose. “I believe no matter what Sacramento does, we can balance the budget without layoffs. It's all about priorities and planning ahead.”

In addition to the budget, Rose also supports advancing technology in classrooms. A self-described challenger of the status quo, Rose said he is also concerned about the performance of some the district’s elementary schools.

“I believe we short-change students when it is implied it is too difficult to improve,” said Rose. “We can improve and will.”

Lois Shade

 High school secretary Lois Shade moved to Glendora in 1964 and has stayed because of the larger residential lots, low crime, the South Hills and Charter Oak’s reputation

Aside from having served as the mayor of Glendora, Shade has been active in her community as a leader for Boy and Girl Scout troops. Her two children also attended Charter Oak Unified schools.

Shade believes the budget and improving test scores will continue to be important issues for Charter Oak Unified. Shade said she is running for the school board because the board is need of a member willing to discuss relevant issues and involve all of the community.

“Until we are out of the recession, schools, cities, counties will suffer financially,” Shade said. “Lobbying occurs, but voters have the final say over how Sacramento functions.”


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