Contentment Pervasive Among School Candidates

Asked if they support Prop. 38 for school vouchers, only one Westminster School Candidate for the trustee race was for vouchers, Judy Ahrens, who said, "Yes, I do believe in parents having a choice in education for their children.  They haven't come up with anything better...if you take some kids out of the public schools, it will be less expensive to maintain the schools.  They won't need as many uncredentialed teachers.  (Also every voucher used will leave $3600 in the school system to reinforce those left behind).

Incumbent trustee Helena Rutkowski said: "I feel that all parents should have a choice.  We have a choice in everything but education.  (But) I don't support the proposition as it stands."

All other candidates "don't support it" (vouchers).

On what they would accomplish on the board:

Mrs. Ahrens again was outstanding in her reply, "I am totally focused on the issue of high academic standards.  Schools have lost their focus, bringing in social programs, losing academic time in the classroom."  Goals 2000 and its companion bills will take 60% of a child's class time, 40% already is taken by the Feds for feel good programs leaving little if any time for academics.

Other candidates: "I want to create partnerships...", "I hope I will bring experience from the classroom to the board," says Jo-Ann Purcell; and James Reed, "I would like to become a delegate of the board to state and federal goverment to give more local control.

Mrs. Rutkowski, "When I am elected I want to see that we continue to have safe schools.  Sergio Contreresas, wants solutions and not one size fits all approach to education.  Ryal Wheeler, says he wants to focus his efforts in improving success in the testing that the state requires.

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