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KHSD candidate profile: Chad Vegas
| Friday, Oct 10 2008 4:55 PM
Last Updated: Monday, Oct 13 2008 8:19 AM
This is the sixth in a series of profiles of Kern High School District board candidates.
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Trustees Chad Vegas and Joel Heinrichs created a five-point plan to reform the Kern High School District.
To read the entire plan, go to The Grade, The Californian's education blog.
• Overhaul the district’s “one-size-fits-all” approach that presumes a college preparatory education works for all students. Instead, offer a variety of pathways and encourage students to pick what is best for them after graduation, whether it is work, more career training or college.
• Use small public charter schools, on-line leaning, more “school within a school” academies and home-school partnerships.
• Build competition in the school system. Effective programs expand, ineffective ones are eliminated.
• Find and implement research-based practices to teach English learner students.
• Hold principal-level leadership accountable through performance standards.
Photos:
Chad Vegas
Seven candidates are on the ballot for two Kern High School District board spots, including incumbents Bob Hampton and Chad Vegas.
In the past few years, the board has voted to require freshmen to meet certain requirements before moving up to 10th grade; redraw district boundaries to accommodate two new high schools; allow single-sex P.E.; and put posters with the national motto, “In God We Trust,” and other historical documents in all classrooms.
It recently passed a motion to allow drug-detecting dogs on campus and rejected one to have the district take a stance on Proposition 8, which defines marriage.
The election is Nov. 4.
Name: Chad Vegas
Age: 35
Occupation: Pastor at Sovereign Grace Church
How long in Kern County: 32 years
Children: Two, ages 6, 7
Political offices held: Four years as KHSD trustee
Community activities: Soccer coach
Education: Bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Fresno Pacific University, social sciences credential from the University of LaVerne, learning handicapped credential from Cal State Bakersfield and master’s degree in Bible and theology from Biola University
Board meetings attended last year: Almost all
Regular voter? The Kern County Elections Division shows he voted in 14 out of 14 elections for which he was eligible since 1996.
FIVE QUESTIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES (LIGHTLY EDITED):
1. What is the first thing you’d change about KHSD?
I would rethink the philosophy of public education. I think choice and competition is necessary. I would want at least three academic pathways that allow students to pursue college, advanced technical training or vocational training leading to employment upon graduation.
I would add charter schools, online school options, partnerships with community colleges, expanded career technical academies and home school partnerships.
2. Describe a board decision you’ve disagreed with.
I agreed with a majority of the decisions. I thought we should vote to support Proposition 8.
3. Twelve of the district’s 16 comprehensive schools did not meet all requirements of No Child Left Behind. What can the board do to help meet these guidelines?
We should increase the number of students we place in “academic boot camps” and improve our English Language learner programs.
Also, we need to recognize NCLB is flawed, especially as it assesses high school students only once and after only 14 months of high school.
4. Do you think the board has spent too little, too much or an appropriate amount of time and energy on religious and cultural issues?
The right amount of time is being spent. I think we have talked about two of these issues in four years.
5. How do you plan to stay connected with teachers, parents and students?
By serving on the board and through my full-time pastoral ministry.
LIVE Q&A
Q: You weren't going to run again. What changed your mind?
A: I was encouraged by other trustees, by people in my church and by my wife. I am excited about the current board and the potential to get things done.
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment on the board?
A: Generally, we have seen the board go from inactive to extremely active and responsive to the community. Specifically, our 9th grade retention program and our academic boot camps.
Q: Tell me about the plan you released with Joel Heinrichs?
A: We have built all of our facilities, hired staff and put our money toward academic comprehensive schools. We need more career training and options for students.
Q: Do you have any social issues you plan to bring up?
A: When I got on the board, it was not responsive to cultural issues. Now, I think it is, so there is nothing for me to bring up. I don’t anticipate introducing any cultural issues.
Q: Critics say you have focused too much on cultural issues. Do you have a response to that?
A: I'm a conservative across the board. I will always stand up for what I believe in.