OC Register...Candiate Questionnaire

By Amber L. (Timothy) Gould

The Orange County register requested candidates running for La Habra School board to take part in a short questionnaire (75 words or less) outlining our positions on the questions below...

2. A recent movement has urged linking teacher evaluations and pay raises to students' academic performance. Do you agree with this idea? How should it be implemented in your district?
I would support the use of test scores being a part of the overall pay and evaluation process as long as the goals were realistic, measurable and attainable. The evaluation criteria should be a shared responsibility, designed by teachers, administrators and the school board to ensure each group has the ability address concerns, ensure the process is fair and focused on the desired outcome.

3. Most local districts cut instruction days for 2010-11 to balance budgets and limit layoffs. Was this the best option for your district? Why or why not?
It is important that all ideas in effort to reduce a budget are examined. I am in favor of cutting instruction days in effort to balance the budget, knowing that La Habra has cut expenditures in every other area. We can only layoff so many teachers before the entire educational system cracks. Increasing class sizes, cutting electives and dropping programs will only increase the educational gap that is already being created from previous cuts in these areas.

4. What are the skills, qualities or accomplishments that make you the best person for this job?
I have vast experience on how to successful run and organize both private and public sector businesses. My experience in Human Resources includes skills in: negotiation, the budgeting process, shared management, organizational development, and human relations. I am a "people person" who understands the importance of building strong relationships built on trust and reliability. All of which will aide me in making the tough decisions facing school board members in these difficult times.

5. What two promises are you willing to make? On what are you unwilling to compromise? Be specific and concrete.

• I promise to be open, honest and transparent. I will do this by being visible in our schools, getting to know our parents, staff and students in effort to understand what is needed to better improve our school system.
• I promise to review the roles and responsibilities of our superintendent and school board members. We will create goals and objectives which we will all be held accountable to obtaining. I will not compromise my goal of creating a district built on trust, change and ideas. It is imperative that all stakeholders feel their needs will be heard without fear of retribution.

7. The school district administration and the teachers association have had their differences. Going forward, how would you move forwarded in dealing with the two groups?
We need to open the doors of communication in La Habra. My expectations are that members of LHEA and CSEA are present at each board meeting with time dedicated on the agenda to discuss concerns. We need to work as a team; both the school leadership and union leadership are working towards the same goal, educating children. The circle of trust and respect will need to be re-built and we will do this together by being open, honest and transparent with each other, without fear of retribution.