League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara, Santa Cruz County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
	Bill Chiocchi Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District

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. How would you determine that the schools are using federal, state and local funds wisely and fairly and how would you report your findings to the community?

School districts have two principle types of funds - restricted and unrestricted. The funds can be federal, state or from private (e.g. Foundations) sources. Restricted funds, by definition, can only be spent on the programs for which they are designated. Some districts due to lack of staff to implement programs or because of managerial oversight will accumulate funds in certain categories. Unrestricted funds, on the other hand, may be used however the school district chooses. Most districts expend about 85% of their budget on salaries.

Financial reporting for schools is very detailed. All funds are accounted for with separate accounts for each restricted category and of course the general fund. As a Trustee I review these financial statements very carefully. I look for increasing accounts of unused funds and for areas where expenditures exceed the approved budget. Results can be summarized and reported out to the community.

2. Are the schools offering instruction appropriate to the diverse educational abilities of all the students?

That is a good question for which I am not completly certain as this time. In general, our district is more affluent and the parents have a higher level of education. As with any school there is typically a bell curve with regard to student performance. Based on my experience as a parent, I believe both high schools offer significant accelerated and advanced placement classes in a wide variety of courses. I am not sure, however, what the schools may offer in the way of support or in classes that meet the needs of students that may learn at a slower pace.

If elected, I promise to look into this further.

3. Where do you want the District to be five years from now? What steps should the District take to get there?

In five years time I would like to see the following:
- Continuous academic improvement by all levels of students
- Continuous improvment of the teaching staff through reviews, training and new hires.
- Increased efficiencies - purchasing and shared best practices bewteen school sites
- Maintain Basic Aide status

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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 6, 2006 13:17
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