Answers to San Jose Mercury News Questions

By Khanh D. Tran

I am the best candidate because I have inside operation knowledge of the district and can help to set policies that support our employees instead of working against them in making progress. As an educator, I have been teaching at two prominent local universities for more than four years. My experience in higher education will help raise the bar of excellence at East Side. All students who want to go to college should have the support and resources needed to prepare them for colleges. For those students who need job training and skills after graduation should have the resources and training required to make them competitive in this global economy. I am the only candidate with district administration experience wherein I was Information Systems Manager (1995-1999) as well as county administration experience where I worked as Coordinator II for San Joaquin County office of Education (1999-2000). I also hold a graduate degree in management as well as industry experience in management wherein I will use my advance skills and experience to help structure the district for improvement in academic performance, better morale for employees, operation efficiency, and make the district fiscally viable by means of new funding through grant writings, sponsorship and donations from private institutions and local corporations, leasing our facilities for higher education after-hours, securing general budget by improvement in ADA, and passage of local parcel tax measures.

This is the reason why I am endorsed by Honorable San Jose Councilman David D. Cortese, and the Honorable Mayor of Milpitas, Jose Esteves.

Describe your experience with and knowledge of the East Side Union High School District schools.

As an insider and employee of the district, I was dedicated and helped built the district from 1991 through 1999. Under Superintendent Joe Coto, I contributed to the success of San Jose Education Network, SJEN Summer Institutes, and Netday 96 by writing proposals and architected the district technology infrastructure and curriculum. Together, we brought millions into the district and helped kids learned new technology and prepared them for the 21st century workforce. As Superintendent Coto recently commented, "You are a great employee. You are dedicated, trustworthy, honest, and the district was fortunate to have you as an employee".

I also have first hand experience as a student since I attended school at East Side and graduated in 1985 at Andrew Hill High School.

Is Superintendent Esperanza Zendejas doing a good job? Please explain.

In 2002, I ran for the East Side School Board on the basis of fiscal accountability and audit. My version of making East Side more efficient does not represent deep cuts in the district workforce, but more on responsible spending and trimming administration. I believe teachers should teach in the classrooms, and classified employees should play pertinent roles in providing quality services and safety for students, teachers, and administrators. It take all of them working together to educate a child. I believe Superintendent Esperanza is doing a good job, but lack the compassion to help students and employees. Nevertheless, she is giving priority to cost cutting and savings than actually improving learning and education for our students. She needs to cut where it is needed mostly in administration. She should not have cut in areas that are basic necessity. I am against her cutting positions that affect and impact students and classrooms directly or indirectly. Unlike others, I am against removing her as Superintendent, but I will caution her to improve her people skills and be more compassionate with our employees. Our employees are our greatest assets. It is through them that we educate our kids. We will weather through this economic hardship and will prosper in better economic times. This is what I want the Superintendent to learn and realize if I am elected as board member.

Do you support Measure K, calling for a $50 parcel tax?

I support Measure K. I believe it is reasonable and taxpayers will vote for it. Overall, this is an investment in our kids and schools. Taxpayers pay more for gas than this parcel tax.

If the parcel tax does not pass, the district faces a possible $10 million deficit. What specific programs/operations would you consider cutting to begin to balance the budget?

If I have to cut, I will start by flattening the administration. Some administrators were former teachers and we welcome them and their experience back into the classrooms. In addition, I will request sacrifice in administrators' salaries by 15% and promise equitable pay increase for all in good economic times. I will provide and consolidate health benefits for administrators and employees into a single group for the purpose of leveraging discounts from health insurance providers. Ultimately, I will work to have only one provider for the district's medical and dental plan. For those employees who do not want health benefits or want an alternative health providers will be issued benefit dollars. They will have to pay the difference in cost or receive the benefit dollars in their paychecks if they choose not to have insurance.

What are your views of charter schools?

I want to focus my energy on improving our public schools. I do not support charter schools.

What are additional key issues facing the school district, and, if elected, what would you do about these issues?

I will work to provide for a learning environment that challenges all students to realize and make the most of their God-given potential. I will require our schools to raise the bar for excellence, and help students achieve and excel, and become effective members of society. Every student will be challenged and assessed on the following learning outcomes as they progress throughout their high school academic years.

Freshman:	Achievement of core academic skills
Sophomore:	Effective thinkers and learners
Junior:	Confident and problem solvers
Senior:	Achievers and scholars

In addition, I will work to provide safety for the best learning environment money can buy. Our students will have a sense of security and parents will feel secure about the well-being of their children in schools. I will work for ways to finance and bring back school busing and provide for every student safety by means of creating a new East Side Security Force. The East Side Union High School District is in needs of a safety and security force to provide security for its high school campuses. In addition to provide for a safe learning environment, the new East Side Police Department will play a big brother role to kids and help to encourage them to stay in schools, learn, and excel. They will be well-trained and kids-oriented. They will provide round-the-clock safety for East Side students. They will be part of the schools' family of classified staff with primary goal is to support teachers and administrators in educating kids. Like other law enforcement agencies, they will have the authority to enforce and uphold the law within the jurisdiction of the district. Currently, the district had contracted police services to the San Jose Police Department (SJPD). However, many students do not feel secure and many times, they are intimidated with their presence. In reality, these SJPD officers are doing a great job in the area of law enforcement, however, they lack the passion to help kids. This is because their goals are not inline with the goals of the school district wherein kids are our number one customers. The creation of the East Side Security Force comes in a good time when I am working to restore After-School Programs and support School's Open 'Til 'Six initiative.

THE CONDUCT OF THE CAMPAIGN

What have you done to make sure those working on your behalf conduct themselves appropriately?

I am responsible for my own campaign. All people that support my campaign are compassionate and professionals. If they make mistakes, then I will live with it. I trust my people.

How do you plan to respond to a last minute "hit piece" against you? What will you do if a third party sends a hit piece on your behalf?

I do not engage in negative campaigning. My response to defend myself and those who support me will be effective and swift using my autodialers and mass email system reaching out to all constituents in every corner of our district.

How much money have you raised at this point in your campaign?

None. I plan on hosting a fund raising event on 10/6/04 at New Sam Kee Chinese Restaurant, 1942 Aborn Road, San Jose ,Ca 95121. There is no charge for the dinner, however, I am hopeful for a $35 contribution per supporter. I plan to raise at least $30,000 directly from parents and voters.

How much you plan to spend?

I plan to advertise on SJ Mercury news, conduct direct mail campaign, and pay for signs and literatures. I have my own phone bank and autodialers that can reach 3000-4000 households per day. If the fund raising event is successful, I plan to spend all of it on reaching voters.