Nice resume! Brian's questions are a good place to start. Creationlism seems to be a fairly hot topic - do you think it should be taught in the science department?

Leave the origin up to the individual to decide. There is more than enough here and now to teach. Teaching how God created the Earth serves no purpose in science. We should glorify the process He created by teaching the here and now.

Brian, it was a pleasure to meet you and your daughter to discuss my views and qualifications for the Conejo Valley Unified School District. You’re to be commended for your public service and for providing this forum for the public to understand and express opinions and thoughts on candidate’s views. It gives everyone an opportunity to interact and get to know what candidates think. These were strong questions:

1. Will you seek or accept the support of a political party for your campaign?

School board elections are non-partisan. It is extremely important that our informed citizens understand and remember this when making decisions on November 4th. I am a candidate who wants to be defined by my commitment to children and the high standards of achievement which all children need and deserve. My core values of honesty, civility, respect and building relationships and partnerships define my personal qualifications and belief system. I have great passion and respect for education and life-long learning. I’d prefer to be held accountable and judged on my personal qualifications, training, experience and fresh ideas I will bring to the district, rather than on my political party affiliation. It is my intention with the support of my campaign committee to engage, excite and unify our community into a collective “community of learners� who want the best and expect the best from our students.

Hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, commitment and dedication are core values which define me and have shaped my character. I feel my belief system is not unique but shared by all parents who want the best for their child and their neighbor’s child. With all that said, I welcome support of all citizens of Conejo who value education and want the best for our children. Our students need and want our support. This support is not defined by a political party affiliation but by personal beliefs, convictions and values. What is clear is that the citizens of Thousand Oaks value education and this is evident in the high level of volunteerism and commitments to our schools.

Our students deserve our support and commitment. In this case it doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat, Republican, and Independent or haven’t declared a party affiliation. What matters most is that you believe in democracy and you care enough about kid’s education to exercise your privilege to vote. Your vote does make a difference. For the record I am officially registered as a Republican, but consider myself an “IT� (Independent Thinking�) Republican.

I’ll soon have a web page that the community can access at www.dennishatland.com My views, issues and suggestions for strengthening our district will be posted here. Also listed will be opportunities for citizens to personally “make a difference� and get involved in my campaign. There will also be a process citizens can access to make much needed and appreciated financial contributions to my campaign. Contributions can be made to: The committee to Elect Dennis Hatland, 1034 Warwick Ave. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. All donors names and documentation of an address, phone number must be disclosed so I am in compliance with the FPPC (Fair Political Practices Commission).

2. What do you think about the process to fire a poor performing teacher? Do you think it is too easy, reasonable, or too hard to fire a teacher?

I strongly believe in accountability and professional conduct. I agree with the widely shared view supported by volumes of research on student achievement, that, the most influential factor to insure sustained student growth and academic achievement is the effectiveness of the teacher. When a child has an ineffective teacher, student motivation and achievement decreases dramatically. The process of letting go an ineffective teacher has changed substantially over the last decade.

With the adoption of the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP) teachers finally had standards that support their professional practice and development. These standards also defined expectations and areas for teachers to reflect on their own effectiveness on student learning, assessment, planning and developing as a professional educator. These standards helped define teacher effectiveness within the scope of their own student’s progress academically and socially.

Letting go an ineffective teacher is a difficult but necessary task administrators take on. It’s difficult because after all, you are bringing to an end someone’s noble career. It’s not necessarily the long, arduous process it once was. Strict adherence to education code, board policies and contractual agreements with labor associations must take place. Honest, fair, clear, concise documentation, opportunities for improvement and time to demonstrate improvement must always be taken into consideration.

As a former principal and assistant principal, teacher evaluations, instructional coaching and reflection for growth were a responsibility I took very seriously. In a different role as a teacher on special assignment, I was a member of a collegial team of educators who coordinated a teacher support program known as BTSA (Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment).

This is a statewide program whereby new teachers earn their professional clear teaching credential after completion of a two year induction program. This is similar to the medical residency model. During these two years new teachers are paired with highly qualified, experienced teachers who serve as a support provider. Working together, the teachers document formative and summative growth over time. The new teacher demonstrates knowledge and application of the CSTP standards to increase student achievement with measurable growth. Not only is BTSA/IC highly successful in retaining teachers in the profession, but the program insures that teachers are highly effective in meeting the needs of all their students. Thus will significantly reduce the need to let go an ineffective teacher.

3. Have you attended many school board meetings?

Years ago, as a former school board member with the Moorpark Unified School District, I attended meetings 2-3 times a month for two years. Since moving my family to Thousand Oaks 17 years ago I have not personally attended many CVUSD meetings. I watch the televised meetings, download and print out the agendas and minutes. I keep many files. I do make it a point to occasionally attend local school board meetings in our surrounding districts; specifically Simi Valley, Oxnard, Rio and the Ventura County Board of Education.

I find it interesting and informative to observe the interactions between board members, district staff and how responsive they are to the needs of their respective citizens. I enjoy observing governance in action and how various boards operate and reflect the diversity of the communities in our county. In fact yesterday on my day off, I procrastinated on cleaning my garage (for the second time) and spent the entire day in Camarillo observing day one of the county school board’s open forum interviews to appoint a new County Superintendent of Instruction. The slate of candidates was impressive and their backgrounds representative of highly qualified, dedicated professionals. I plan on sitting in tomorrow on the final three candidate interviews. I believe it is important to see and hear firsthand who will lead and represent Ventura County. In one form or another, all local school board members interface with the county Superintendent and all the departments which support not only Conejo, but all local school districts.

4. Is it a conflict of interest to get the support of teachers since you could be voting for on their contract?

I do not believe that a conflict of interest exists if I get support of teachers who are residents of the Conejo. As a board member I am an elected official, not an employee. When elected I will proudly and with integrity assume the responsibility for the governance of the district and provide the highest quality of education for all children and the best working conditions for all the district’s employees. An important and serious role of governance of a school district includes negotiating and voting on the ratification of labor agreements with all employee groups. The fact that I am a teacher in a neighboring district would not hinder, nor compromise my ability and duty to remain honest, objective, impartial and fair. My decisions will be based upon what is good for all students and the fiscal solvency of the district.

5. What local politician do you respect for the work they have done for our community?

I have respect, admiration and appreciation for the dedication and collective efforts of all members of our city council. Through their collective and collaborative efforts, our city remains safe, supportive of its residents and fiscally sound. Each council member in his or her own way, have focused on improving and sustaining the high quality of life for our children and all residents. We are fortunate to have such a talented and professional council who are supported by the highest quality of city staff. Their willingness to work collaboratively has moved our city forward in difficult economic times.

Candiate Mike Dunn did not let the union know when he first ran that he was planning a divisive agenda once elected. Because of that I want to know some tough questions.

Will you ever push or lobby for creationism to be taught in science classrooms?

Would you support Gay Straight alliances forming on campuses to promote tolerance of all students?

What did you think about the debate over the current health textbook?

Do you think the union representing teaches has done more good than bad?

In the past, different groups have disagreed over the Christmas break calendar. Do you think this has anything to do with religion?

Sorry to have to ask some obvious or silly questions, but I don't want to support a stealth candidate.

Dear Stealth, be sure you vet John Anderson as well. He ran with Dunn in the last election - remember LAD? He's the A and Dunn is the D. Lennox was the L.

He also ran for Republican Central Committee so there might be some money for him.