League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Board Member; East Side Union High School District

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 State and Federal Funds, Instruction, Future Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 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? Answer from Lan Nguyen: In 2002, I and other board members instructed the district administration to hold budget process meetings at different school sites throughout the district. In these meetings, the board and administration presented to the community the projected budget and invited stakeholders and the community to provide input developing spending priorities and strategies. This budget process ensures fiscal accountability and transparency. Answer from Tim Tom: Trustees must ensure equity of distribution, equity of opportunity and equity of resources. This is owed to every student in this district. Each and every student deserves the same opportunity and resources that other students receive regardless of their location. In reporting the findings to the community, we must always remember that numbers and statistics do not always provide the full story. We cannot provide the public parodies of equity: funding per student, teacher's average salary, ratio of students to teachers, etc. From our early years we are able to discern what is fair and what is unfair. Simply put, fairness is about the equitable distribution of resources to each and every school/student. To determine equitable distribution, trustees must incorporate stakeholders involving students, parents, teachers, administrators, school board members and the community to ensure that each student receives a network of support through their journey in education. What is fair is ensuring what is best for the individual student. For more information, please visit http://www.timothytom.com 2. Are the schools offering instruction appropriate to the diverse educational abilities of all the students? Answer from Lan Nguyen: Yes Answer from Tim Tom: Every student in the district deserves opportunities to succeed. Regardless of their talent in sports, academics, East Side Schools must provide them the ability to experience it. And now + now we must look to the future. We must ensure that the future allows students to experience and expand their talents. We must foster minds nurtured in discovery. With diverse campuses and student bodies, East Side schools strive to serve the needs of students. 3. Where do you want the District to be five years from now? What steps should the District take to get there? Answer from Lan Nguyen: The East Side Union High School District has just completed the development of the Academic Master Plan. This Master Plan identifies educational programs, facility, and other needs to help each school site to provide the best possible services to help students achieve maximum academic potential. This is 3-5 Academic Master Plan will be implemented by early 2009 and will make signigicant impacts for our students in 20 or more years. Answer from Tim Tom: East Side Union High School should be the "District of Choice" for students, teachers, parents and administrators. Students should be made aware of the resources and opportunities available to them during and after their high school education. With a wide range of course offerings, career development and international programs, East Side Union has the resources and opportunities needed for students. For more information please visit http://www.timothytom.com 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.