Bob Green
What is your education and relevant experience for this office?
B.A. Economics, University of Colorado M.B.A., San Francisco State University 25 years business executive in telecommunications industry
If you have children, do you/did you send them to public school? If so, did they graduate from a public school?
1 child attended and graduated from public school and is currently a senior at ASU. 1 child currently in 3rd grade in public school and 2 pre-school children that will attend public school
Do you feel you are an advocate for public education in Arizona? Use specific examples of what you will do or have done to demonstrate your level of support for public education in Arizona.
Yes I do. I would like to implement programs to fund reading programs and tutoring at 2nd and 3rd grade levels to help those children have a basis for success in education; fund math and science programs so our students will be more competitive nationally and internationally; pay our best teachers more so they stay here and teach.
Will you work to protect public education from any further budget cuts?
yes, absolutely
The system for funding public education in Arizona is a maze of laws, rules, regulations, funding sources, etc. Please share specifics on how you would simplify how we fund our public schools here in Arizona to make that funding source more efficient, effective and reliable?
We need to redesign the entire funding system so that there is equity in funding districts (not slanted toward property valuation), consistent funding not dependent on state the state budget, and local district management over their resources, as well as a reduction in overhead (administration) by a better organization of school districts.
Should the education formula be based on seat time and average daily membership or on student academic progress and successful achievement of academic standards?
I do not have a set answer here. I am not an education expert, just a concerned parent and citizen who values education. I want to be educated fully by organizations such as CCSOS and AEA in order to support and sponsor the reform needed. I don't think most candidates are experts in this area and should rely on the experts. The key is that I am eager and willing to work with educators and am committed to improving our "product"
Knowing that money does not cure all, how do you feel that Arizona ranks dead last in per pupil funding? Are you happy with the status quo or how will you work to change that? Can you share your plan on how Arizona can improve it's school funding to at least a competitive level? Be specific.
I don't view it as a simple matter of throwing money at the problem. I want to look at a streamlined education system (efficiency) and a priority of programs that will help all students succeed to their best abilities, and fund those programs appropriately. I believe the #1 state in education does not necessarily spend the most money but they do have the best system and programs.
Do you think that class-size affects academic performance? How and at what size?
absolutely no question. The standard of 31 at middle school and high school should be the maximum. Beyond that number performance declines. I prefer a lower number in elementary school having as many grades as possible having closer to 20 students.
How do you feel about the unfunded mandate of the AIMS test (or a similar test) when teachers spend a large portion of their school year "teaching to the test"? Be specific.
This is a destruction of education. Children miss out on many learning experiences that are not covered in the standardized test, the teachers are not creative and the students do not learn to be creative or pursue their interests in school projects. This type of teaching also is most destructive on above average students who can learn so much more than a watered down test.
Do you believe that the voters approving Prop 301 intended the 2% inflation factor to be applied to the entire M&O budget or just legislatively selected portions of the operating budget?
the entire budget.
How do you plan to support districts with textbook adoptions with the decrease/limits on soft capital funding? Do you understand that many districts such as CCUSD operate with textbooks that are ten years old?
yes I understand many districts need updated textbooks (I attended public school in Los Angeles and always had horribly old textbooks) and view the adoption of updated textbooks to be of importance especially for the school districts that need updating the most.
The budget cuts have eliminated the funding for the Gifted Students Educational Program. With the passing of Prop 100 what legislative measures will you take to restore this funding to meet the many critical needs for our brightest minds and high acheivers in AZ?
Similar to #7 and #9 - we need to restructure our school financing system, make it more efficient and economy proof, and, fund and create programs for many different student groups, including gifted programs.
Where and what grade level classrooms have you observed in the last 12 months? What specifics can you share about class size and per pupil expenditure in those classrooms?
None, it has been a few years, however, with my oldest, I was fortunate to live in an area with good funding and saw first hand updated textbooks, better science facilites and equipment and how those allowed my son to learn much more than I did at the same grade levels.
Due to our district's low poverty, or "free and reduced lunch" level, do you understand the disparity that places CCUSD at a disadvantage for federal and grant application-based funding, and would you be willing to support legislation that would allow districts such as CCUSD in low-poverty areas to secure supplemental funding to reach curriculum or achievement standards that may be desired by the governing board? If so, what might those funding sources be? (please cite examples such as local prop tax, program fees, etc.)
This is similar to #7 and #9 - we need an overhaul of our education funding system including reducing the inequeties between districts based on income levels. As Cave Creek is a major portion of LD7, in which my children live, of course I intend to make sure Cave Creek has the same educational opportunities as higher income areas.
Do you support performance pay programs like Career Ladders and Prop 301 for teachers?
yes, both SPBA and KSPB programs, especially when they are managed locally by school districts.
In constructing new schools, do you believe that bonding or direct general fund support is the most efficient and cost effective?
At this point I am in favor of bonding due to our budget shortfall, and the need to provide the facilities necessary to meet our population demands.
Would you support a requirement that all new education policy initiatives proposed by the legislature contain a fiscal note and be required to include all necessary funding prior to adoption?
Yes, and I would like to protect that funding since our state has a poor record of taking from one fund and giving to another to defund programs that were approved.
Do you think the Constitutional requirement to fund a general and uniform public education system should take precedence over programs supporting private schools?
Yes, the vast majority of education will continue to be public and we cannot let our system deteriorate.
Please describe your level of support for school vouchers and private school tax credits, how should they be used (if at all), to whom should they be given/used for, and how would you change the current system in place? Be specific.
I need to study this more. I have heard from voters who prefer religious schools that they would like some assistance for their children's education, and I do not feel the state needs to subsidize families that are well off financially and choose private schools. Basically, I think private school tax credits are appropriate for lower middle families that are sacrificing to put their children in private schools, and the system should not be abused so we can fund and strengthen our public schools.
Do you feel that the use of Vouchers and private school tax credits is appropriate considering the struggle that our public education system has recently faced and continues to face? Be specific.
Not at this point. Private schools are self sustaining businesses, and an option for those who can afford it, and many private schools offer scholarships for qualified lower income students.