League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 4

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Experience, Special Education, Board's Role Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What experience and training would you bring to this office? Answer from Carol A. Myers: I taught special education in East Side Union High School District for 32 years. I served on the San Jose Unified School District board of education for 14 years. I have served on my neighborhood board and local school foundation. Answer from Gary Rummelhoff: I bring 12 years of active school board and education experience. I served eight years on the San Jose Unified Board, two years as President of the Board. I have completed one four-year term on the County School Board, one year as President. I have been active in regional and statewide educational efforts, serving as President of the Santa Clara County School Board Association and as delegate and committee chair (Urban Schools) with the California School Board Association. Answer from Joseph S. Di Salvo: I have served in Santa Clara County for 33 years as a teacher, principal, president of teachers and management associations, adjunct education professor at Santa Clara University and education columnist for the Silicon Valley Community Newspapers. I strongly believe I have the requisite knowledge, skills, and leadership to make a significant difference in key policy areas in public education. 2. What changes, if any, would you recommend in the County's special education programs? Answer from Gary Rummelhoff: To achieve goal one, increasing student proficiency and high school passing rates for special education students, we must establish clear administrative plans and objectives for student achievement, provide added support to teachers and improve school facilities. The COE must also work more cooperatively with local districts to target programs that reduce encroachment on the general funds. With inadequate funding, local districts are heavily burdened and need help from the well-trained staff of the COE. Answer from Joseph S. Di Salvo: Increase communication and collaboration with local school districts, LEAs, and social service agencies. Ensure compliance with all state and federal mandates. Attract the best teachers for the special children by PR campaigns using the web, television, radio, and otehr media. Answer from Carol A. Myers: I would continue to develop and improve current special education programs. I would provide additional resources to alternative education programs and expand these programs if additional funding becomes available. 3. What should be the role of the County Board of Education with regard to charter schools? Answer from Carol A. Myers: The County Board of Education reviews charter school appeals that have been denied by local school districts. The County Board of Education must provide sufficient oversight to these charter schools that have been approved by the County Board. Answer from Joseph S. Di Salvo: Charter schools if denied by a local school district and appealed for chartering to the SCCOE Board as a member of the Board I would study the charter application and vote on a case by case basis with care. I prefer dependent charters commissioned by districts rather than the SCCOE. However, if a Charter can be a beacon of light for public school programs to learn from then and only then, if the County staff feel it is a viable application, I would vote in the affirmative. I predict these affirmative votes would be rare on my record. Answer from Gary Rummelhoff: The County Board of Education (CBE) plays two critical roles with regard to charter schools. First, the CBE is an impartial board of appeal in reviewing petitions from charter schools that have been denied by local school districts. Second, the CBE is the chartering authority for programs that serve the entire county. In both roles, if the CBE approves a petition by a charter school, the Board must oversee the charter school's performance and renew the program, if appropriate. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.