Frank Guzman

2009 ARTS EDUCATION CANDIDATE SURVEY
Candidate: Frank Guzman	Email: electfrankguzman@live.com
District: Pomona USD	Website: www.electfrankguzman.com
1.
Your district has embarked on a ten-year initiative to restore meaningful sequential arts education back into its core curriculum. What do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of the plan?	I am not familar with the plan.
2.
If you are not familiar with the plan, what do you think your district can and should do to make this work more visible?	The district needs to make such a program visable to all of its constituents. We need to be part of the plan and have imput in the plan. We need to be sure that such a plan is executed.
3.
What role do you think the arts can play in supporting key priorities of the district such as reducing the dropout rate, closing the achievement gap, and preparing more students for college eligibility?	The arts play a major role in the development of students. Self expression helps the children feel confident in themselves. The arts encourage self expression. When children are encouraged by others and themselves they succeed. This definitely helps to reduce the drop out rate, and give children the motivation to want a college education.
4.
In light of the current budget crisis, the state is now allowing local school districts flexibility to redirect their allocation from the “art and music block grant” to fund other local priorities. How would you balance the need to invest in arts education with the other financial challenges facing your district?	We are faced with many financial burdens. But we can't take from the programs that students need. I strongly feel that students need the arts in their education. We continue to take from such programs, however, we need to stop. We need to audit each department and see where the waste is going and we need to stop taking it directly from the classroom and the students. The arts need to be a priority in this district. The audits would help us eliminate our waste and put the funds into the classroom and valuable programs such as the arts.
5.
Did you have meaningful experiences with art (visual, dance, drama, music) growing up? Please tell us about that experience.	Yes. During my middle school years I participated in band and during high school I took drama as an elective. These experiences helped me to appreciate the "arts". These are valuable programs that students want and need. I certainly enjoyed my years involved in these programs.
6.
Please take a moment to include any additional comments.	I am a product of the Pomona Unified School District. My children are now students in Pomona USD schools. I have also worked for Pomona USD. Having gone thru the education system here in Pomona, being and active parent and serving as a consultant, I have seen Pomona U.S.D. from the inside and out. Pomona U.S.D. needs change. Because I have seen Pomona from within and as an outsider, I feel I can produce positive change. We can no longer be stagnant. Our kids deserve someone who will fight for them til the end. A vote for Frank Guzman is a vote for change. Pomona children deserve the best, now it's time to give them the best.

For more information about arts education, please visit the following websites: L.A.U.S.D. Arts Education Information Arts for All: LA County Regional Blueprint for Arts Education California Alliance for Arts Education Arts for LA Arts for LA is a 501(c)(3) arts advocacy organization working to foster a healthy environment in which the arts and culture may thrive and be accessible to all in Los Angeles County. The objective of this survey is to help inform candidates as well as community stakeholders about arts education related issues. It is not an endorsement of any one candidate.