Do your CO House Candidates Support Charter Schools?

Candidate Survey Results
Do your CO House candidates support charter schools?

As a service to the charter school community, the Colorado League of Charter Schools surveyed all candidates for state legislative office about their views on charter schools and public school choice.

* Hos Note- The Colorado League did not report survey results from Brian O'Donnell. AHS contacted O'Donnell's campaign and requested he provide our local community with his answers.

Candidates for Colorado's 59th House District

Brian O'Donnell

1. Do you support a parent’s right to choose the best public school, in their judgment, for their children? Why or why not?

Yes. I think that parents should be able to choose the best public school for their children. I want all of our public schools to excel. Education is one of the most important issues facing our state and our nation, and improving our schools will be one of my highest priorities.

2. In your view, what role should charter schools play in the effort to provide parents and students choice in their schooling options?

I believe that charter schools play an important effort in providing parents and students choices in their schooling options. Animas High School has been a great option for parents and students in Durango.

3. Do you support charter schools getting and keeping the autonomy to make key decisions that affect a school’s daily operations? Why or why not?

I think it is important for charter schools to have the freedom to make decisions affecting their daily operations.

4. In your view, do charter schools help improve the educational opportunities or harm the educational opportunities for students in traditional public schools?

I think that we need to make sure that both traditional and charter schools are offering the best possible educational experience for our children.

5. Do you believe that charter schools should be eligible to receive facilities funding from state and local capital budgets to address their critical facilities needs? Why or why not?

I would like to find ways to increase funding for education. Some of that money could be used for facilities. I know that Animas High Schools needs a long-term facility.

6. In your view, how do teachers' jobs in charter schools differ from teachers' jobs in traditional public schools?

I have toured Animas High School and met with teachers there. I think that teachers there are very creative and work hard. I also know teachers from traditional public schools and they also are hard working and creative.

7. Please feel free to provide any additional comments or view points regarding choice and charter schools in the state of Colorado that you were not able to cover in your responses above.

I was very impressed with the teachers, administration, board, students and parents at Animas High School. They are providing an excellent educational experience.

J. Paul Brown

1. Do you support a parent’s right to choose the best public school, in their judgment, for their children? Why or why not?

Yes. Because it encourages competition for students, thereby improving the education of students at all schools. Parents know best where their children will learn the most , what they want their children to learn, and who the best teachers are. Basicly, parents know best.

2. In your view, what role should charter schools play in the effort to provide parents and students choice in their schooling options?
Charter Schools can give parents different educational options for their children depending on the Charter School such as learning styles, curriculum, etc.

3. Do you support charter schools getting and keeping the autonomy to make key decisions that affect a school’s daily operations? Why or why not?
Yes. The problem with education as a whole today is that there are too many rules from the federal and state government that get in the way of local schools doing their job. Charter Schools are no different. Leave them alone and let them succeed or fail

4. In your view, do charter schools help improve the educational opportunities or harm the educational opportunities for students in traditional public schools? Help

5. Do you believe that charter schools should be eligible to receive facilities funding from state and local capital budgets to address their critical facilities needs? Why or why not?
I oppose increasing taxes. If the money can not be found in existing budgets without hurting other needs I would oppose this funding. Private contributions should be allowed.

6. In your view, how do teachers' jobs in charter schools differ from teachers' jobs in traditional public schools?
I'm not sure, but I would hope that teachers in charter schools would not have to belong to the union, would be paid based on performance, would not have tenure, and would not be required accreditation as long as they can get the job done.

7. Please feel free to provide any additional comments or view points regarding choice and charter schools in the state of Colorado that you were not able to cover in your responses above.
Any time there is state or federal money tied to a school there are also stings tied to that school restricting the school board or adminisration from educating as they feel is best for the students. The best government is that which is closest to the people and so it is with schools. I was on the School Board at Igncio for 12 years and was very frustated because we made very few real decisions about education. We did not have a charter school in the district. If we recinded most of the federal and state regulations and laws regarding K/12 education and put the responsibility back on the locals, all schools would be virtual charter schools and we would improve our education system many times.