Thank you to William Runco for providing a written response to our questionnaire to help parents and citizens vett the candidates for State Board of Education (SBE). The responses of other candidates will be published as they become available. PLEASE NOTE: Stop Common Core in Michigan does NOT endorse candidates.
William Runco State Board of Education Candidate Questionnaire Answers
1. Many parents complain that the members of the State Board of Education are not accessible to them. How do you propose to remain accessible to parents and citizens if elected?
When I served as a member of the Legislature, I ran a very effective constituent relations program that included personally returning phone calls, prompt replies to written communications, attendance at community events to listen and learn, and regular informational newsletters. As a member of the SBE, I will implement a similar program, and I will also create my own website that will allow me report on Board activities and serve as a portal to provide the ability to communicate directly with me.
2. Have you been endorsed or received funding from special interests or lobby groups such as GLEP?
No, and I have not requested an endorsement from GLEP or any special interest.
3. Governor Snyder articulated a vision for Michigan education that is no longer K12 but from P-20 from “Prenatal to life-long learning.” Do you support a P20 vision for education in Michigan?
No. This program sounds more like social engineering that would infringe on parental rights.
4. Do you support adoption of the LGBTQ guidelines as provided by the MDE?
No. Significantly, the “guidelines” contain numerous inaccurate facts and conclusions and will likely serve as a liberal lynchpin in future litigation on the matter. Moreover, I am concerned through litigation or other means, the “guidelines” will become mandatory standards that further deprive the rights of parents to protect their children.
5. In December of 2015, the State Board of Education adopted a set of seven goals for Michigan “Making Michigan A Top Ten State in Ten Years.” According to State Superintendent Brian Whiston, these goals are the motivation for the LGBTQ guidelines and many other controversial reforms related to workforce development/competency-based education. Do you support the goals articulated in their initiative, “Making Michigan a Top Ten State in Ten Years?” (https://stopcommoncoreinmichigan.com/2016/05/goal-political-agenda-michigan-
top- 10-10-years/)
No. It’s just another vehicle to implement liberal social and educational engineering.
6. Do you support Governor Snyder’s creation of the 21st Century Education Commission?
No. I am concerned that over time this Board could encroach upon the authority of the elected State Board of Education and more importantly upon the authority of locally elected school boards. I am further concerned this Commission could be used in such a way to centralize education in Michigan which is something I strongly oppose.
7. The Michigan State Board of Education is considering the adoption of new social studies standards. Do you support the C3 Framework for Social Studies or any set of “Michigan standards” using the C3 Framework as the foundation?
No. These standards appear to be worse than the Common Core Standards.
8. Do you support a parents right to opt-out of an assignment, survey, assessment, or data collection which the parents deem inappropriate or a violation of their privacy?
Absolutely! The data collection component is very worrisome as it relates to the privacy of our children.
9. In April, a bill to repeal and replace Common Core, science, social studies, and aligned assessments was introduced into the Michigan House (HB 5444) and Senate (SB 826). Do you support HB 5444/SB 826 as introduced and passed out of the Senate Education Committee.
I support the both HB 5444 and SB 826 as Introduced. Based upon the information I have reviewed, I am concerned that the substitute to SB 826 will weaken the bill.