League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
	David Cohen Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Berryessa Union 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?

It is a responsibility of the board to thoroughly review all district spending. I would take this role very seriously and ask difficult questions of the administration during every budget planning period. Periodically, the district should also utilize an outside auditor to make sure funds are spent properly. The findings of audits should be made available to the public through the district website. Also, public hearings should be held regularly so that the public feels the district is responsive to their needs.

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

Due to budget cuts, most school districts have had to cut back on some programming. It is important to find ways to offer more "non-academic" programs, like music and art at all levels, and vocational classes at the middle school level. Broadening the minds of students will help achivement and also will provide something to keep kids engaged in school even if they are not excited by core subjects.

The school district needs to make sure that teaching to the test does not result in homogonizing the educational experience. Children at all ability levels need to be pushed so that they can achieve to the best of their ability.

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

I want all parents to feel confident in our schools. Nobody should have to wonder if sending their children to public schools is the right thing to do. I hope that in 5 years, the Berryessa School District will be at that level. We need to make sure that testing requirements are balanced with a strong curriculum. We need to restore more art, music, and vocational classes. This might be done through partnerships with other schools, governmental agencies, or non-profit organizations.

We need to restore the student-to-counselor ratio so that all children have available to them the support that will motivate them to excel. If students are pushed to greater heights, more of them will get there and fewer will drop out.

Finally, our school district needs to communicate with the high school district in order to make sure the students that pass through our schools are prepared for the high school level. More interaction between middle school teachers and those in high school will result in curriculum that is better tailored to providing a seamless transition.

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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 14, 2006 19:39
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