Governing Board Member

SEATS AVAILABLE: 2

Jon Primuth

District: South Pasadena Unified
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.

Music was a huge part of my life as high schooler, especially marching band, concert band and choir. I basically lived for after-school band practice. I loved playing music, the challenge of a difficult piece and experience of performing as a group.

Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?

The right kind of drama can accelerate language learning as long as there is a supportive environment for kids to take risks Learning English must be so intimidating because our language is so nuanced so a structured drama program focused on English language skills could be very helpful A writing class that encourages kids to model their written expression on their favorite authors/works could give them more confidence and skill as a writers following a model As far as closing the achievement gap visual and performing arts can help orient and de-stress students and give them a needed creative outlet.

Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?

Board members must listen to students and parents and encourage administrators to plan courses around the parent/student interests. Tracking students should always be discouraged because some kids may bloom later in high school, and there is often acculturation and different rates of language acquisition.

Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?

There are too many priority areas, and this generates too many ideas at LCAP meetings. I am not sure the LCAP process drives more-impactful spending, but it does allow parents to give feedback on weaknesses and alert the district when spending priorities are out of balance.