The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of the Los Altos-Mtn. View Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on High School Exit Exam, The future, Inclusivity

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Theo Olson:

I see four action items to closing the achievement gap:
a. continue working with the high school district to share test result data and to align our curriculum
b. informing students and parents about the use of standards-based instruction and reporting
c. using test result data to design curriculum, instruction, and staff development to cover any gaps, and
d. providing support for pre-school, tutoring, additional English Language instruction, and multi-modal/differentiated instruction

Answer from Frances R. "Fran" Kruss:

Academic Summits were held last winter, in January and February 2002, to review Student Test Data. As a Board we approved the developement of a Strategic School Plan that focuses on narrowing the "Achievement Gap" and on promoting "individual student success." This plan includes a year of staff developement focused on Strategic Schooling. We have literacy coaches at most schools and multiple lead teachers at all school sites. We have many students that are English Language Learners (ELL) and there is a continuing need to focus on language acquistion, which is ongoing. I want to applaud our teachers for their dedication and committment to student success.

Answer from Elaine Eileen Spence:

Our schools must be more effective at communicating with parents about student progress. The new standards based report cards that are being piloted at the Elementary level will show parents exactly where their child is in relation to California State Standards.

Teachers must be able to differentiate their instruction within the classroom to target the areas where students need improvement. We need to give the teachers the tools they need to successfully accomplish this. Tools include (1) Textbooks from publishers already aligned to the standards. (2) Professional development needs to be specifically targeted to help our schools meet academic goals.

Answer from Ellen Wheeler:

It's clear that MVWSD needs to stress "Standards" instruction from the 1st day our kids come to school. Each grade has its own "Standards," and the new MVWSD report cards will be grading with specific reference to those Standards. Now, kindergarteners shouldn't feel pressure to perform in some test they'll take many years from now, and should be doing developmentally appropriate work for their age. And I know we still need to do some work on how best to transition from our "A - F" system of report cards. However, I believe the new Standards-based report cards will help teachers, students, and parents understand how well they are all doing related to these State Standards. Thus, these report cards will be able to be used as a tangible tool to determine where each child needs help. Using these, the teachers and school staffs will be able to focus on who needs what specific help and then give it. The last thing we want is for our kids to be unprepared for their tests, and to have trouble passing them.
Kindergarteners today are our high school graduates or high school dropouts of tomorrow. Starting from day 1 with knowledge of the Standards and working towards those Standards will help all our children in MVWSD succeed.

Answer from Theo Olson:

Our overarching goal is to assist students to achieve academic excellence. In my view, over the next five years we need to do three things to this end:

a. Work on continuous improvement in all areas of the district.
b. Enhance classroom instruction by utilizing technology.
c. Develop a reputation for great communication.

Answer from Frances R. "Fran" Kruss:

Analysis of student data will assist us in evaluating program success and student achievement. I would like to see the MVWSD be a "District of Choice" for teachers, students parents and administrators. We need to work with school staff, parents and community to develope a Strategic Plan. A plan that will guide our district over the next five years. We need a plan to drive our budget, not a budget that drives our plan. We need to obtain stable annual funding, ensure that required programs are fully funded, and obtain additional funding sources. We need more flexibility in the use of our funds.

Answer from Ellen Wheeler:

Five years from now I'd like to see that MVWSD succeeded in its goal of becoming a "District of Preference." Ways include:
[1] For everyone to understand and buy into the Standards-based report cards and the follow-up work that those report cards involve (per above). This will happen through intensive parent and staff education. We know that all parents want their child to succeed; it will be the District's job to show them that this is the way to do it.
[2] Continue to work hard at our finances. I know from going to Distirct meetings that the District is already working on creative solutions to working with a shrinking budget. MVWSD has already commissioned a survey to assess whether a parcel tax vote is appropriate for our district. We also need to work hard at involving parents and staff in this process, both to educate them as to financial realities and to have them help problem-solve for ways to work in a shrinking budget while keeping a high quality educational and social environment for our kids.
[3] I think it's essential that MVWSD do outreach to the parents in our community so that parents feel like their views are valued and respected. Additionally, MVWSD needs to give parents information about what's going on at their children's schools and the District. Communication is a two-way street. I believe if parents and the District all feel like they're in this together, and everyone listens to and respects each other's viewpoint, we will go a long way towards people feeling like this is a "District of Preference."

Answer from Elaine Eileen Spence:

1) Close the achievement gap across the district. We have defined standards and are building tools for assessment so that we can reach our objectives. We need to make practical use of data to guide, confirm and adjust our efforts as we go. We must draw lessons from our experience to increase our rate of improvement.

2) Middle Schools develop into "Flagship" schools of MVWSD We make sure "Best Practices" as identified by our Middle School Task Force are put in place. Effective communication and collaboration among all educational partners is a must. (Including forming partnerships with the High Schools)

Answer from Theo Olson:

Again, communication is the key. We need to provide a variety of ways for parents and community members to learn what is going on in the district. For me it is also about connecting the wider community and education. According to the 2000 Census, 78% of Mountain View households are without children. This is a huge, untapped resource. Together we can create unique opportunities for adults to connect with and support our schools by volunteering or mentoring. We also need to build our own Mountain View-Whisman traditions, like the spring music concert at Shoreline Park.

As one of the 78%, I will expand the board's perspective in setting direction for the district. I can listen objectively to what others have to say, weigh it and decide what makes the most sense for the district as a whole.

Answer from Elaine Eileen Spence:

Our School Community needs to work together with our new Superintendent to develop a good long term strategic plan that accurately reflects our diversity, values, character and philosophy. This Strategic Plan building process must involve the Board, parents, teachers and community leaders.

I am a consensus builder who believes in finding the middle ground that everyone can support through true two-way communication consisting of targeted forums and stakeholder inclusive planning sessions to define and clarify district policy.

Trustees can have monthly "meet the parent" events, columns in "The Voice" and make use of public television to increase access and visibility.

Answer from Ellen Wheeler:

This is why I am running for a seat on the MVWSD School Board - so that parents feel like there is a climate of inclusivity, respect, and openness. A simple statement I make to my family law clients and friends in education is this: "Most parents are doing the best they can for their child, and want their child to succeed." Now we know that not every child has the same level of parent income, of parent participation, of parent comfort level in meetings with teachers and the District. Some children come home to an empty house because their parent has to work and cannot provide maximal child care. Some children have to do homwork by themselves, and don't have someone to read them bedtime stories. On the other other spectrum we have parents who can provide those things for their children. But, I'll go back to my simple statement: "Most parents are doing the best that they can for their child, and want their child to succeed."
We need to do outreach in our community so that every parent knows that we value their opinion, and that we want their child to succeed, too. We need to do the best job we can as a District to include all of our children in our expectation for success, and help them get there.

Answer from Frances R. "Fran" Kruss:

During the last eleven years, as a School Board Trustee and a member of the Mountain View community since 1978, I have always celebrated the diversity of our community. I have had the opportunity to work on boards and committees that are inclusive (site councils, PTA, CHAC, SCCSBA Executive Committee, Whisman School Board). Our board and teaching staff need to reflect the diversity of our students and community. Providing opportunities for involvement at school sites and on district committees will assist us all in building an inclusive community.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.