League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA February 5, 2008 Election
	Alkesh Desai Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Berryessa Union School District

The questions were prepared by the The League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara 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?

I would examine the financial statements, would do extensive review of federal, state and local funds, and would ask difficult questions to administrators during every budget planning period.

I support an open budget process with active community participation and full auditing of all district financial records. I'll report findings in Board Meetings. All information should be available for public inspection and review. I would be accessible to hear community concerns and suggestions.

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

It is challenging for Berryessa School District to achieve this goal since most school districts have had to cut back on some programming as a result of budget cuts. But there are aids and tutors available in most subjects for students who need extra help. In addition, each school has implemented programs, such as grouping students by reading ability during literacy periods, that are meant to address achievement gaps. Some schools have started language programs for parents in order to bring up their skills so they can help their children succeed.

Decisions as to how to best serve the needs of our diverse educational abilities of all the students are best made by principals at the local schools, with the full participation of teachers, parents, administrators, students, school staff and the community. The Board should establish overall achievement goals and to make sure the Superintendent and the principals hired are accountable.

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

We must continue focus on maintaining and improving academic excellence for all students. Schools should continue focusing on the complete development of children with well rounded programs including music, art and sports. Our schools should continue to be safe, well-equipped and accountable to parents, teachers and to our children. We should lead by example as far as Budget Efficiency and Fiscal Accountability is concerned. The district should continue reach out, listen and respond to the community, parents and teachers they are serving so that they feel like part of solution rather than part of the problem.

The steps which District should take to get there should be:

1. Testing requirement should be balanced with solid curriculum. Teachers and administrators should be supported in the curriculum plans and excellent school programs.

2. Continue offering a broad spectrum of other activities like sports, music, and art. Provide enough support for the necessary programs through external funding and partnerships.

3. Support programs for drug/alcohol, violence abuse and prevention themes including after-school programs.

4. Support an open budget process with active community participation and full auditing of all district financial records. All information should be available for public inspection and review. Board would be accessible to community concerns and or suggestions. Explore different funding resources, partnerships, and various fundraising.

5. The Board, Administrators and Teachers must work well together to place the needs of all students above other agendas. The Board of Trustees, Administrators, Teachers and Parents should exhibit high level of communication, trust, respect and collaboration.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: January 22, 2008 11:44
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