Steamboat Pilot & Today

Election 2011

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Byron Dean

Age: 60

Immediate family: Wife, Clarice Dean; daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Brett Mason; and four grandchildren.

Occupation: Retired teacher

Years in community: 32

Q. In what specific ways do you see yourself impacting your school district as a school board member?

A. Knowledge of schools, education, teachers, students and school finance.

Q. Why are you running?

A. To make sure South Routt students continue to have the best possible education.

Q. What is your background in education, and in what ways are you involved in your community?

A. Thirty years as a South Routt teacher of vocational-agriculture, physics, chemistry and auto mechanics; 27 years on the Routt County Fair Board; and 18 years on the District Accountability Committee.

Q. How would you look through your district's budget as a school board member and make recommendations on whether a certain program or item should be eliminated or reduced if funding to your school district is cut again this year?

A. I would look for every possible funding source. Teachers and programs would be the last to be cut.

Q. Do you support Proposition 103, which would raise the state's sales income and taxes to increase funding to Colorado public schools, or tax increases of any kind to fund public education? Why or why not? (If yes, what specific programs or budget items would you put increased revenue toward?)

A. Yes. We should make sure students and teachers have every possible resource to improve education. Maintain quality teachers and equipment.

Q. If elected, how would you measure the success of your board and your superintendent?

A. Through the success of our students, in many levels in our society. Look at several key factors to determine success.

Q. Do you support the use of a secret ballot for any board decisions?

A. No, all votes should be open to the public.

Q. How would you respond to scrutiny from members of the public who might disagree with the decisions you make as a board member?

A. Not everyone agrees. A board should consider all opinions and make the best possible decisions for our students’ education.

Q. What is your connection to your school district, and how familiar are you with the functions and responsibilities of your school board?

A. Retired after 30 years teaching in South Routt, 18 years on school and district accountability committees.

Q. Do you have any prior experience on a public governing board?

A. Twenty-seven years on the Routt County Fair Board and 16 years on the Colorado Bow Hunters Association Board.