Schools

GUSD Candidate Q&A: Incumbents and Challengers

Incumbents discuss innovation, challengers take on experience.

With school board elections coming up, it's important that voters know as much as they can about their candidates. At Glendora Patch, we'd like to offer voters an easily accessible and centralized place to meet each of their candidates in a weekly Q&A forum.

There are two incumbents and two newcomers vying for two empty seats. With Election Day Nov. 8, we’re giving voters the opportunity to get to know their candidates for Glendora Unified School Board.

Candidate Question #3

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All schools are going through trying times and GUSD is no exception. Incumbents, I want to know how you would stay progressive and innovative rather than adhere to the status quo as many incumbents in other elected offices often do. Challengers, there is a lot to learn as a school board member. How would you overcome any inexperience you may have in dealing with school board and district policies?

Doug Ferrell

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The substance of this question is precisely why I’m pursuing another term on the Board. I know this Board well and we are not content, nor will ever be content with the status quo.  As a group we are willing to take on the challenge of change despite the economic climate. Each Board Member has a history of service and success in their field and with their children in the schools. The recent implementation of the block schedule at GHS is a prime example of the Board teaming with the GHS Administration.  We participated in the process and supported the innovation. When the State offered an opportunity; we quickly embraced District of Choice, paying immediate dividends by allowing our schools to remain populated while Glendora repopulates with younger families.  We embrace beneficial change because we trust each other and know that each individual focus is the same as the Board as a whole:  The education of Glendora’s young people.

Irene Miller

The board has seen members come and go throughout the years and each time the new members have been able to get up to speed. There seems to be an “Us” versus “Them” when it comes to electing new people onto the board, and it shouldn’t be that way.

One would think that we would want our citizens to be involved in governing our community and applaud them for their willingness to serve. I commend both Doris and Doug for their willingness to serve the community for so long. I also think it is important that we make room for new people who are willing to serve, as this can bring a new perspective and excitement to the board. It would be appreciated if the current members would come alongside the new members and assist in bringing them up to speed on the ins-and-outs of the district policies. Please visit my website www.vote4miller.net or email me at Irene@vote4miller.net

Doris Blum

Shakespeare wrote,  “The past is prologue”.  With that in mind, one needs to look no further than the recent history of Glendora schools.   We have steadily navigated eight years of budget cuts, while improving test scores and adding new and innovative programs.  Last year, Whitcomb High School became a California Model Continuation High School, a designation reserved for innovative schools who defy the status quo.  This year’s launch of the block schedule at GHS highlights a school principal, staff and Board willing to innovate, offering students a more progressive learning environment.  An innovative partnership involving a Citrus College STEM grant has given science a new dimension in some of our classrooms.  A technology grant to the fourth and fifth grades has helped fund opportunities for our students not possible a few years ago. As we face an uncertain future, I’m confident that innovation will continue to be a key ingredient in the overall success of GUSD.      

Cory Ellenson

I’ve attended board meetings since March, analyzed the budgets of the past three years, read every board policy and administrative regulation, spoken with Director of Fiscal Services John Ziegenhohn, and met with Superintendent Voors and past Superintendent Bushman.

I’ve done much to prepare myself for this role and wouldn’t ask the voters to elect me if I were not confident in my abilities. My supporters are similarly confident, supporters like Stan & Debbie Deal, Art & Sarah Ludwick, past mayors Mike Conway and Ken Herman, former school administrator Keith Hilliard, and recently elected Councilmember Judy Nelson. Please visit www.ElectCoryEllenson.com for complete list.

No one knows how to be a boardmember until they are elected, including our current boardmembers, who were all non-incumbent candidates once. Just as Doug Ferrell said, when you have incumbents who have served for many years, it is time for fresh new ideas and a boardmember who is in direct contact with the challenges of our students.


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