Outline of Platform

By Richard D. Ackerman

A Complete Description of Candidate Goals

A. Children (One in - Three in the Bullpen) B. Value of Education (The Great Liberator/Equalizer) C. Care Deeply About My Community (Quality of Life for All)

II. Platform

A. Academic Success

1. Top-Ten Concept (Ventura County South)
2. Never Second Best to Temecula Academically - Close In on Irvine Unified
3. Parental Involvement / Tutoring Network
4. Stipend for Unique Teacher Needs/Tools
5. Adequate Technology (5:1 Minimum Student/Computer Ratio)

B. Teacher Support

1. Best Pay in Southern California Region
2. Good Benefits - Prevent Burn-Out
3. Discipline Defended - Parental Involvement Demanded
a. All Key Decisions Given Substantial Deference
b. Mediation Program
c. Behavioral Contract - Mediation Program

C. Budget Accountability

1. Line Item Accountability
a. Prevent Shell Game in Negotiations
b. Transparency to Public
c. Identification of Alternate/Supplemental Funding Mechanisms

2. Start all Accountability with Individual Classroom Needs
3. Bonds Must Constitute Deliverable Bill of Goods
a. Must be Supported by Long-term, Short-term, Strategic Planning
b. Oversight Committees Cannot be Rubber Stamp
c. Public Must be Regularly Informed

III. Weaknesses & Strengths

A. Litigation History
1. Title I Litigation - Alan Bersin/SDCS (Creber, et. al.: US Dept. of Ed)
2. Fees Issues (Cheerleader / $2500.00 Example)
3. Special Needs Issues - IEPs, Aides, Title I Corona / SD)
4. NTLC v. Schwarzenneger (Willing to Take On Gv't: 1st Published Op. Against Gov.)
5. Pledge of Allegiance (Newdow v. U.S. Congress)
6. Emergency Teacher Credentials Litigation (Certificated Priority)
7. Academic / First Amendment Freedoms (FERPA-Owasso USD, Opt-Out Forms)
8. MVUSD BP 5145.3 (True / Equal Tolerance of all Protected Classes)
9. Public Records/Governmental Transparency (Linsley, Assembly Bill, Corona)
10. Equal Opp for Teachers - (Friery v. LAUSD)