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Bruce Cuff for House District 17 – Candidate’s Statement March 6, 2008

There are serious differences between me and my opponent, Sherrie Sprenger.

On January 31st at the Stayton Library, I received 75% support, on the 1st vote, from the Precinct Committee People from Marion and Linn Counties in filling the vacancy left when Fred Girod was “promoted” to Senate Dist. 9. There was a field of 6 candidates – I was the Peoples’ Choice. Sherrie Sprenger did not attain a 50%+ majority until the 4th vote, after two other candidates withdrew their names from consideration. The next day, on February 1st, at the Scio city hall, the politicians (Republican House Leadership, Marion & Linn County Commissioners) picked Sherrie – She was the Politicians’ Choice.

Sherrie Sprenger told the Precinct Committee People that she was a strong advocate for “school choice” – Public, Charter, Private and Homeschool. However, as chairman of the Lebanon School Board, she was the lone NO vote in Dec. 2007 when it came to renewing the Charter for the Sand Ridge Charter School, one of the only “choices” that parents have for education in the district. (In December 2007 the Sand Ridge Charter School, in Sodaville, received a “Oregon Exceptional School Flag” to fly in its school from Susan Castillo, Oregon’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, for it’s “exceptional” performance on the test administered in the fall of the 2006/2007 school year.) (Google – “Susan Castillo Sand Ridge” to see the Albany Democrat Herald and Lebanon Express articles about it). The news paper article I read said the Ms. Sprenger said she didn’t vote against the charter school, she voted against the “process.” I met with her, after I decided to run in the primary to find out what “process” meant. When I asked, “what does that mean?” She said, “I’m all about process.” (Well, that clears that up!!) I’m still not sure what that means BUT – if “she’s all about process” I guess my approach will work a whole lot better – “I’m all about people!!”

My wife and I Homeschooled all four of our children up through at least the 4th Grade before we put them in the Public Grade School in Lyons, Mari-Linn. We understand that, as parents, it’s OUR responsibility for our children’s education, not the state. I believe that , as an elected official, my job will be to make sure parents have a “choice,” when it comes to educating their children. I believe the “public money” collected to educate the children of this State should “follow the student.” If a parent wishes to put their child in a private school, then the “public money” should follow that child through a “tax credit” or “voucher” system, NO STRINGS ATTACHED. I believe many teachers would like the opportunity to teach in schools where they can actually “teach” – using their creative abilities to get the information across to the student without it being “dictated from above” on HOW they are going to do it. The beauty of the Charter and Private School models are that the “parents can choose” the school that most closely teaches their “value system.” We are losing good teachers who choose to leave the professional rather than put up with what is going on in Public Education. With an expanded “choice” in education maybe those “good teachers” will find it in their heart to forgive us, collectively, that we let it get “this bad” before we did something about it. We need “good teachers” in Public, Private, and Charter Schools. With more “school choice” comes more opportunity for teachers, parents and students.

Thanks for Listening,

Bruce Cuff
Candidate for House District 17