Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
Name: Cary C. Chen
Age: 75
Current job title: Board President
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Rowland Heights
Campaign website or social media: None
What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
RUSD is facing the challenge of declining enrollment. Declining enrollment leads to funding losses. One of the top two needs of the District is to balance the budget without laying off employees, closing schools, or reducing programs despite the funding losses.
RUSD need to support students dealing with mental health issues like depression, sadness, and stress. These challenges often lead to learning and behavior problems in school. We need the state and federal agencies and legislatures to provide proper funding for professional counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists.
To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
A school board is a collective governing body holds official power to run the district while an individual school member has no legal authority on their own. The role of the school board is to ensure that school district board is responsive to the values, beliefs, and priority of the community.School boards define courses of study and choosing the textbooks and materials used in classrooms, but Local control is not unlimited. A school board’s curriculum decisions cannot conflict with or override state law.
How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
Artificial intelligence is a tool that helps our mental processing and decision-making. Like many revolution breakthroughs, it acts as a double-edged sword depending on how we regulate and implement it. The invention of the automobile had a similar impact on human life; while vehicles can be dangerous weapon. AI must be integrated into our classrooms.
Teachers should treat AI as a learning tool rather than a cheating device or a threat, which requires providing staff with proper training and resources, as well as regulations in classroom.
How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
I believe civil discourse can be taught and engaged on any subjects and any grade levels in classrooms by using age-appropriate strategy.Elementary students can be taught by focusing basic sharing, and active listening as upper graders, high school students can be taught and engaged in debating in political or social current events, public policies, and historical context.
Some school districts around California are recruiting teachers by building subsidized housing. How would you suggest your district could better attract — and retain — educators? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
Attracting and retaining high-quality educators is one of the top priorities for the District. Subsidized housings offers a powerful incentive to recruit and retain high quality educators and maintaining stability of the District workforce. Workforce stability is essential to student success.Subsidized housings are usually built on District surplus land. The Board will review and discuss this issue when we have the opportunity
What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
I was a scientist – With a Master’s degree in Earth Science and a background in geophysics, I use data-driven, analytical decision-making to improve K-12 academic achievemenIt.
I was a corporate professional and a leader. Rising to a leadership role at UNOCAL, a major U.S. corporation, gave me foundational experience in large-scale operations and strategic management. I was a entrepreneur, for three decades, I have successfully built and operated my own international business, mastering fiscal responsibility, budgeting, and long term planning.
I am now an educator and volunteer, I have spent decades serving at an on-campus after-school program, directly helping community children grow and thrive.
I have been serving RUSD Board of Education since 2009. With 17 years of proven dedication to the Rowland Unified School District Governing Board. My diverse background shapes how I approach leadership and academic success.
If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
I will choose soldier ants for my campaign mascot as soldier ants sacrifice themselves to protect their colony. Elected officials need to sacrifice themselves to protect their community.
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.
The book I have read recently is “A Supreme Friendship: The Unlikely Bond Between Ruth Bader Ginsburgand Antonin Scalia.” This story is about the U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Ginsburg, who served together during the years from 1993 to 2016 . And while they both wanted what was best for all Americans, they also disagreed found the similarities they shared mattered far more than their differences.
They have a mutual passion for the arts, and opera, they visited art shows and watched opera together. A lawyer/composer Derrick Wang composed an opera “Scalia and Ginsburg” for their story in 2015. L.A. Times quoted on July 2015: “Could we please make it a constitutional requirement that no one can be sworn into office in the White House or Congress without having first seen ‘Scalia/Ginsburg’? Scalia and Ginsburg knew: “Disagree doesn’t mean disrespect and differences don’t mean enemies.” We need this spirit!