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. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Brian Burley
Current job title: Educational Systems Administrator/Huntington Beach Businessowner
Political party affiliation: Non-Partisan
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Elected Member to OC Central Committee
City where you reside: Huntington Beach
Campaign website or social media: Burley4HB.com
Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for heavier restrictions on smartphones in schools, pointing to studies that show the harmful effects of social media. How do you see schools restricting smartphone use? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
I believe students should be focused during class, not distracted by their phones or other devices. While it’s clear that excessive smartphone use can harm academic performance and social development, each school district should have the flexibility to set its own policies tailored to its students’ needs.
Schools can implement reasonable restrictions, such as requiring phones to be kept in lockers or designated areas during class time, while still allowing access during breaks for safety reasons. I do not believe a one-size-fits-all policy from Sacramento is the best approach, as local schools are better equipped to understand the unique challenges their students face.
How can your district better harness artificial intelligence technology for learning while also protecting kids from another tool that can be used for bullying? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
AI can personalize learning and help teachers, but it must be used responsibly. Our district can set guidelines to protect against AI misuse and cyberbullying. Educating students on ethical use will help protect them while maximizing the benefits of AI in the classroom.
What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
The top two needs of our district are ensuring a responsible budget and addressing facility upgrades like air conditioning in classrooms. Some schools still lack proper climate control, which affects students’ ability to focus. We need leaders who are detail-oriented and capable of managing intricate projects, like facility improvements, without overlooking key details.
I’m prepared to bring my experience in managing complex systems and my proven fiscal responsibility to ensure projects are completed efficiently and within budget, so students can learn in a comfortable environment. Planning and accountability are critical to improving both our schools and educational outcomes.
What experiences and priorities do you bring to the table for this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that make you the person for this job? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
I bring a wealth of experience as an educational systems administrator, a long-term Huntington Beach resident and a local business owner. As an elected member of the OC Central Committee, I’ve demonstrated leadership and dedication to our community. Holding two master’s degrees, I understand the importance of a strong educational foundation.
In my prior roles, I’ve learned the value of paying attention to the details — whether it’s managing complex systems or overseeing projects. This experience makes me well-prepared to handle the needs of our district, from budgeting to ensuring important projects like facility improvements are done right. My proven and dedicated community involvement shows I’m ready to work for the success of our schools and students.
California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Parents play a vital role in their children’s education, both academically and personally. I strongly support parental rights and parental notification. I oppose efforts by the state to undermine parental involvement or limit parents’ ability to be informed about their children’s well-being. While schools play an important role in education, parents are the primary decision-makers for their children and should not be excluded from critical conversations. We need to prioritize transparency and respect for parental rights to ensure the best outcomes for students.
What role do you see your district playing in combating climate change? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
My focus is on education and ensuring that every penny of taxpayer dollars goes towards improving our schools and the student experience. It’s essential that we prioritize resources where they are most needed — in classrooms, supporting teachers and enhancing learning environments for our students. Our district’s role should remain focused on delivering the best possible education, not diverting attention and funds to unrelated issues.
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