League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA March 5, 2013 Election
	Isabel Vazquez Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Los Angeles Unified School District; District 2

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What is the single most important issue facing LAUSD today? As a Board Member, what would you do to deal with it?

In the last four years I have seen serious problems become worse with catastrophic consequences for the students of LAUSD. I have seen the withering away of programs and support systems for students most in need, many of them whom live in my board district: loss of custodial, clerical and support staff, nurses, librarians, reductions to programs like music and art, early childhood, and education and career training for adults. I will seek a moratorium on new, unfunded and unproven initiatives and excessive student testing and redirect resources to restore vital services and support to local schools. I will also work proactively to change funding priorities in Sacramento to ensure public schools are fully funded.

2. How would you prioritize your local constituency in overseeing LAUSD management, setting District policy, and day-to-day decision-making?

I will seek to change Board meetings so that parents, employees, and constituents who work during the day are able to attend and participate if they so chose. I will listen to parents, students, school site employees and constituents when making major policy decisions that impact instructional practices and operations at local schools.

3. What experience in general management, fiscal management, and budgetary oversight would you bring to the job of Board Member?

As the Director of Career Technical Education and Grants I was responsible for strategic planning and performance activities to improve learning outcomes for District parents, adult learners, and in-and out-of-school youth. I managed and monitored multi-million dollar programs and grants, including communication with state and federal offices and staff, budget development, invoicing, program outcomes, staffing, audits, reporting, and compliance. I also monitored and provided feedback on legislation and its potential impact on District programs and funding.

4. How should LAUSD deal with its rapidly increasing costs for retiree and employee health care?

LAUSD should leverage its position as a regional employer to negotiate fair and reasonable rates from employee health care providers. With other public sector employers, including the City, County and public universities, it is possible to negotiate improved services from health care providers while keeping costs down.

5. What part should standardized testing play in LAUSD’s educational programs?

I believe that standardized tests should be limited to those mandated by law. Excessive student testing has resulted in a prescribed, narrow curriculum that focuses on the elements of reading and math that will be tested and measured. I believe there has to be a balance between teaching skills and nurturing students' individuality, creativity, and love of learning.

---

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

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

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: February 4, 2013 14:41
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.