League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	David Cohen Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Berryessa Union 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?

It is a responsibility of the board to thoroughly review all district spending. I take this role very seriously and ask difficult questions of the administration during every budget planning period. I make sure that taxpayers get maximum value out of every dollar spent in our schools and that the money is fairly allocated between each of our 13 schools.

It is important that the district hire competent and knowledgeable administrators who understand the rules for education spending and also have a strong grasp of education models. The district also must rely on annual independent audits to make sure funds are spent properly. Our district has had no audit exceptions during my 4 years on the board.

I have encouraged the district to hold public hearings in order to get feedback from parents, staff, and other members of the public and make sure the district is responsive to their needs. I believe in open and honest communication with constituents. I visit every school in the district at least twice per year and sit down with staff to find out what they are thinking. I publish a blog so that the public can keep up with the issues the district is facing and to solicit feedback from interested parties.

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

The district must continue to focus on best practices for differentiating instruction. Professional development for teachers and staff should include programs for improving such practices. Our district is faced with a serious achievement gap, particularly among our Latino students, and the district is setting up goals to focus on strategies to narrow that gap.

Due to budget cuts, most school districts have had to cut back on some programming. It is important to find ways to offer more "non-academic" programs, like music and art at all levels, and vocational classes at the middle school level. Broadening the minds of students will help achievement and also will provide something to keep kids engaged in school even if they are not excited by core subjects.

The district needs to make sure that teaching to the test does not result in homogonizing the educational experience. Children at all ability levels need to be pushed so that they can achieve to the best of their ability.

3. Where do want the district to be 5 years from now? What steps should the district take to get there?

I want all parents to feel confident in our schools. Nobody should have to wonder if sending their children to public schools is the right thing to do. I hope that in 5 years, the Berryessa School District will be at that level. We are making great strides, with district API scores up over 65 points over the past 6 years. I want Berryessa to be seen as one of the top districts in the County and a place that families want to live because of our schools.

We need to restore the student-to-counselor ratio so that all children have available to them the support that will motivate them to excel. If students are pushed to greater heights, more of them will get there and fewer will drop out.

Finally, our school district needs to communicate with the high school district in order to make sure the students that pass through our schools are prepared for the high school level. More interaction between middle school teachers and those in high school will result in curriculum that is better tailored to providing a seamless transition. I helped initiate a cooperative relationship between elementary districts on the east side of San Jose and the East Side Union High School District, for which we are a feeder district.

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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. Answers must not refer directly or indirectly to another candidate.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 6, 2010 20:42
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