League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	J. Manuel Herrera Answers Questions Candidate for 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.
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?

As a Trustee for the East Side Union High School District, I emphasize annual audits and board oversight reports to ensure proper use of funds and transparent information to the community. Additionally I strongly supported creation of a new Internal Auditor position and new Board Audit Committee to increase the level of accountability and transparency in the use of all school district resources.

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

Yes. Even in this fiscal crisis, our highly diverse student population has a broad range of choices, including magnet programs, career academies, an International Baccalaureate program, smaller learning communities, and charter schools. The East Side Union High School District is living its credo of "Success for EVERY Student."

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

I want for the East Side Union High School District to emerge from its current severe fiscal crisis, to stabilize its leadership team beginning with the Superintendent, school site principals, and others, and to make steady progress in academic achievement and closing the achievement gap.

Over the years I've worked hard to ensure that our schools are safe, that our students have more than one avenue for success, and that our school district is accountable to the community.

Our drop-out rate is the lowest in decades, more of our students are going on to college, and our academic standards and graduation requirements are more rigorous than ever.

This is the path to success. With community support, our school district can continue building on its areas of excellence and persevering and advancing in the face of daunting challenges.

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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 13, 2010 21:12
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