League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Evelyn Gonzalez Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member At-Large; San Leandro Unified School District

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

Questions & Answers

1. What specifically can a board member do to ensure that the education equity gap is narrowed or closed for all students?

I have been involved in numerous district level discussions as well as high school equity team meetings over the last six years, and I am well aware of this issue. There is not a simple solution to this challenge; otherwise, it would have already been closed. However, many strategies can help reduce the gap. I list a few of these: First, increasing access to quality preschool education would help address the gap. In addition, more effective use of technology would afford students without access to private tutors the opportunity to receive cost effective supplemental guidance. Parental education and involvement can also help support socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Improved communication between the school and the home can help parents/guardians more effectively team with teachers to support students. Sharing best practices with other districts can also help address the challenge.

2. What is your long-term plan to assure that your jurisdiction has enough money to meet operating needs and service demands?

First and foremost, we need to be transparent with (and accountable to) our local community with respect to our current spending. We must also work closely with our City to understand the nature and extent of anticipated residential development in our City to assure that we as a district understand the implications for our operating needs and service demands. With respect to long term obligations, e.g. bonds, we should regularly evaluate whether debt refinancing options can help the district achieve more with less. Over the long term, our school district must team with other districts to drive accountability in Sacramento, ensuring that money allocated by California voters for schools, actually makes it to schools.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. 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: October 16, 2014 09:27
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