League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Bonnie Mace Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Evergreen 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 need to be accountable, fiscally responsible and follow the letter of the law when using federal, state and local funds. There needs to be a clear structure of oversight to ensure that funds are spent wisely, fairly, and according to the law.

In terms of accountability, the Board has policy oversight over the Superintendent, and the Superintendent has the daily management responsibility to ensure that students receive the education they need in a timely and fiscally prudent manner. The Superintendent, in turn, has oversight over the Cabinet, including the fiscal services department which disburses and manages funds. At each level, there is a balance of power to ensure that funds are managed properly.

A wise use of funds means that money is distributed according to our strategic workplan. The workplan is determined by participation of all the stakeholders, and our current 3-year vision stipulates goals such as closing the achievement gap, improving communication with stakeholders, attracting and retaining a high quality staff,and ensuring safe schools.

The fair use of funds means that money is distributed equitably across all the schools within the districts so that each school has the opportunity to provide a high quality of education to its students. Money should also be equitably distributed within schools so that all subgroups benefit from our educational programs. Teachers and classified staff should also receive fair compensation relative to the overall budget health of the district.

It is important to have transparency with the community regarding the use of funds. Communication can occur through several pathways: regular reports by the Chief Financial Officer at the Board's monthly meetings, regular updates on the school district's website concerning how funds are being spent, and outreach by the Superintendent at neighborhood and community group meetings. Our district also has regular audits by independent auditors who can determine whether funds are being spent legally.

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

Our mission is for every child, regardless of his or her background, to be successful and productive in the workforce of the future. There are three legs on this stool of offering appropriate instruction to students.

First, the EESD relies on differentiated instruction in order to ensure that each child receives what he or she needs in terms of understanding and achieving proficiency in the curriculum.

Second, teachers are given professional training and development so that they understand how to use the tools available to teach students. Some of these tools include new technology in which students can learn at their own pace using iPads, and some of these tools are more traditional such as the use of differentiated workbooks. It is also important for teachers to learn effective class management so that they can teach students who are at different levels; sometimes teachers use small groups, and sometimes they use a lecture setting.

Third, in addition to the teachers and the tools for learning, there are also specialists who can focus on students with very specific needs. In our Categorical Programs, our district has ELL (English Language Learner)and Migrant Education programs. Our district also has RSP or resource specialists who help children with learning disabilities.

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

Five years from now, the vision is that the Evergreen Elementary School District, in partnership with the community, will be recognized at the local, state and national level as a model for excellence. There are several ingredients in this vision:

First, the achievement gap will be closed among all subgroups in the district. This means that proficiency levels within schools and across schools will be relatively consistent without the large gaps that currently exist for several subgroups. We can achieve this through differentiated instruction, technological innovation, and innovations in the structure of the traditional classroom setting through project-based learning.

Second, students will have safe and healthy schools in which they can learn in a nurturing environment that is free of physical or psychological harmful influences. This means that we will increase programs such as Project Cornerstone and anti-bullying initiatives, in addition to including health and wellness programs promoting physical fitness and healthy eating. Students will also have safe transportation to and from schools, including bussing.

Third, the district will have longterm fiscal stability with substantial financial reserves that can cushion the district in rough economic times. Given the repeated state budget cuts in recent years, the school district does not currently have a longterm stable source of education funding that can provide needed educational programs for students. We need more community partnerships to bring more resources into our school district, and we need to advocate for a more stable source of education funding from the state. Prop 30 and Prop 38 are two steps in this direction, but more advocacy needs to happen at the state level.

Fourth, our district will be able to attract, develop and retain high quality teaching and classified staff. The staff is the support structure for the students and the schools, and we want the best and brightest teachers and classified staff to come to Evergreen and teach our students. Having a more stable source of education funding from the state can help to achieve this goal. We also need to collectively work with the teachers and classified staff to address some of the budget challenges.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 24, 2012 15:12
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