League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara, Santa Cruz County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
	Charlie Ahern Answers Questions Candidate for Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 2

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience and training would you bring to this office?

My experience as a board member of nonprofit organizations serving at-risk youth and as a business person with a background in accounting give me a balanced perspective on the mission and fiscal position of the County Office of Education.

As a city commissioner, I am familiar with the role and responsibilities of a public official; from the requirements of the public meeting laws to the complexity of working across governmental jurisdictions to actively seek a wide range of input from all elements of the community.

In college I majored in political science and education. In my last year of college, I fulfilled my student-teacher requirement to become a high school social studies teacher. Unfortunately, after my graduation, schools were laying off teachers, not hiring. A few years later, while getting my MBA, I taught undergraduate Corporate Finance.

My wife currently teaches developmentally disabled adults for the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District, so I understand the amount of off-hours time, energy, and personal resources that teachers invest in their classes.

By being on the board of Social Advocates for Youth and EHC Lifebuilders, I understand that some children may need temporary or long-term special programs. While "teaching for testing" may be effective for many students, others may need alternatives that meet their special capabilities or 'at-risk' status.

3. What should be the role of the County Board of Education with regard to charter schools?

The role of the county Board of Education is to consider applications for charter schools, monitor them for performance, and close charter schools that do not meet their charter goals.

The current Board policy on charter schools states "In granting charter petitions, the Board shall give preference to schools best able to provide comprehensive learning experiences for academically low-achieving students." While some Board members may advocate for privatizing our public schools, the Board has a responsibility to re-focus its energy to truly leave no child behind.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 21, 2006 15:47
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