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Education candidates' views differ

Pair take opposite stances on ballot measures, reform

By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 4, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated October 4, 2008 at 1:33 a.m.

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The Colorado Board of Education labored in obscurity for years, setting rules that were mostly of interest to teachers, superintendents and other insiders.

That's about to change. A law adopted last spring with the backing of Gov. Bill Ritter gave the board broad authority over school reform. The result could put the board's mark on everything from statewide achievement tests to high school graduation requirements.

School board candidates in the pivotal 3rd Congressional District differ sharply on how that reform should proceed. Board Chairwoman Pamela Jo Suckla, a Republican who holds the 3rd District seat, is term limited.

Democrat Jill Brake holds a degree in early childhood education and runs a Pueblo preschool. She believes the emphasis should be on laying a strong foundation during a child's early years.

"Since the most learning happens between birth and five years of age - even eight years - then shouldn't we be sinking our resources into that early learning piece?" Brake said.

Republican Marcia Neal is a retired Grand Junction high school teacher. She emphasizes the need to improve high schools, including better programs for students who don't do well in traditional academic courses.

"We have limited amounts of money, so you really need to prioritize how you spend your money, and that's going to be fairly expensive," Neal said of early childhood programs.

The 3rd District includes most of the Western Slope and the San Luis Valley, plus Pueblo and several adjoining counties.

Board of Education districts have the same boundaries as congressional districts.

Brake and Neal are polar opposites on the education issues of recent years.

Brake supported Amendment 23, the 2000 ballot measure that boosted school funding; Neal was opposed.

Brake supports a 2007 school property tax rate change that raises more money for the state; Neal backs a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the move.

Brake supports Amendment 59 on the Nov. 4 ballot, which will end state rebates to taxpayers, earmarking the money for schools instead. Neal is opposed.

And they differ on how to reform the school system.

Neal would begin assessing the interests of students in middle school. Some would be headed for a college prep program in high school, others for career education.

That strategy got a bad reputation in the past when many minorities were tracked into trade courses that led to low-paying jobs, while whites were prepared for college. That won't happen again thanks to better career education courses, Neal said.

Brake agrees that high schools must be more flexible in the kinds of courses students can take, including online courses. But many students need help long before they reach high school, she said.

"We've lost them by then," Brake said. "We've lost them in middle school, mainly. If we don't get them by sixth grade, the turnaround is going to be really tough, so we've really got to get them early."

In the 7th district, Chenoa Jensen of Lakewood, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Democrat Jane Goff for the state board of education seat.

In the race

Colorado Board of Education candidates, District 3

MARCIA NEAL, 74, Republican, Grand Junction:

* Teacher in Grand Junction schools for 21 years, including 13 years as history and government teacher, Grand Junction High School

* Member of the Mesa Valley school board, 1999-2007

* Owned a bookstore in downtown Grand Junction, Rimrock Books

JILL BRAKE, 49, Democrat, Pueblo:

* Director of Thatcher Learning Center, a preschool associated with Parkview Medical Center

* Member of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education

* Member of the Pueblo District 70 Board of Education, 1997-2005

* President, Colorado Association of School Boards, 2001

* President and former president of several Pueblo education groups

Comments

  • October 6, 2008

    5:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BetterEducated writes:

    Gee, I don't have a position on which of these candidates would be better -- but I would remark that the state's participation in the educational system is part of the state constitution and IT'S ABOUT TIME you folks showed up. :-)
    "Better late than never."