Q&A with Atascadero School Board Candidate Bret Heinemann
Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of Q&A’s for all candidates running for Atascadero School Board.
Q&A with Atascadero School Board Candidate Bret Heinemann
What motivates you to become a school board member?
The students and their education. Yes, a lot of parents and grandparents have encouraged me to run for the position as well as many people who don’t have children.
What attributes are essential for successful school board members?
An ability to focus on the end goal and how to get there and desire to deal with multiple issues along the way. The goal is the education of the students.
What is your vision for education in the community?
Education occurs in every day of a child’s life in and out of schools. Schools are associated with the largest portion of a child’s education outside home and family life, and schools are traditionally associated with the academic instruction. Interweaved with academics is character education which determines are motivation and reasons for doing what we do. It is our morals and values, and since morality is often associated with religion and many people frown on religion in schools there are limits on character education in public schools. Character education is then left to the private sector, families, and groups. However, since character and values are often viewed as the plate everything else is served on they are in the classroom whether character education is formally there or not.
How does the school board decide what is important?
Focusing on current and future needs determine the agenda as determined by the school board.
What is your education background?
I consider myself to be blessed to have a diverse educational background:
- BA in History and minor political science CSU Fresno
- AA Electronics/Electrical Technology Cuesta College
- Atascadero High School graduate
- Trinity Lutheran School grades 5-8
- Public school grades k-8
Do you represent the school system or the community?
I support the education of the students. The students are an integral part of the community and why there is a school district.
What have you accomplished in regards to school-related situations that make you a good candidate?
I have an understanding of what is needed and what is not needed in the classroom from substitute teaching I’ve accomplished in 2004-2006 and of the regulations, requirements, and standards. I also understand the need for prioritizing to operate under the restraints of a limited budget.
Can you comment on recent disciplinary issues within the school district, and how would you resolve them?
There’s a serious issue at the fine arts academy, but since it’s in progress, so no comment at this time.
What are some of the issues facing the Atascadero School District?
Intermixed with current hot topic issues is the long-term purpose of Atascadero Unified education, and there are always the challenges of a limited budget.
