League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Jaime Rosso Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Gilroy Unified School District

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County 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 have personal commitment to visit every school at least once annually listening to administrators, teachers, students, staff and parents. I ask questions and listen to concerns. As a board member I participate in study sessions to review budgets and spending and establish priorities. I have a focus on targeting district resources that support improving student achievement for ALL students and addressing equity to make sure all students needs are being addressed. I raise issues at board meetings to make sure important concerns are handled in an appropriate manner that supports the needs of students and our schools.

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

Our job as board members is to make sure that ALL students are making the progress necessary and expected to achieve grade level proficiency and to maximize student potential for every student. Our district leadership is very much focused on making sure students needs are being addressed. Test results are showing that we are making steady progress in improving student achievement. More interventions are being implemented to close the achievement gap that continues to of concern and priority for our district.

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

The district needs to continue to maintain focus on providing the support and resources necessary to continue improving academic achievement and success for ALL students. There can be no excuses for students not making the necessary progress to achieve grade level proficiency. Teachers and educational leaders and parents need to be held accountable to making sure all students are being successful. Teachers need to be given all the support necessary to move students forward. The District must continue to recruit and retain high quality teachers that provide high quality instruction to all students. Interventions need to be provided for those students that need it. All students need to be challenged to reach their full potential. Within the next 4 years I would like to see all schools surpass the state achievement performance target score of 800 as measured by the Achievement Performance Index (API).

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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: October 13, 2008 20:10
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