Hank Mollett

2009 ARTS EDUCATION CANDIDATE SURVEY
Candidate: Hank Mollet	Email: mrmollett@gmail.com
District: Pomona USD	Website: mollet.wordpress.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?	The district has formed a committe which wrote a report on Arts for All. I have not had the opportunity to read the plan, since I had not heard of it till I started this survey. According to the district office, the plan is currently on hold for budgetary reasons. I have asked for a copy of the plan, so I can review it.
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?	I think the district should publish the plan and speak to it at board meetings.
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?	Arts can be a reason for kids to stay in school. Kids that sign up for arts tend to do better in school. If we can grab the kids with programs like art, we can teach them the other things they need to know while they are in school.
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?	Unfortunately, the ability to balance funding among the many programs in a school has nothing to do with educating children. There is not enough funding to adequately teach the majority of children. The district needs to find creative ways to raise funds and spend funds to allow every student access to the arts.
5.
Did you have meaningful experiences with art (visual, dance, drama, music) growing up? Please tell us about that experience.	Yes. I moved a lot while growing up. In the third grade I was selected to learn the violin, then we moved. In junior high school I was the bugler for the boy scouts until we moved. In high school, I was chief photo editor for my school paper.
6.
Please take a moment to include any additional comments.	Thank you for taking the time to consider my responses.

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.