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

Parents and voters can see money is being spent in a general way. What I want is a breakdown of how exactly the money is being spent, how much is going to each school and for what purpose, how much is going to the district office, compensation for administration officials appointed and elected. I also want to put that information on the district website with a direct link to the budget administrator on the same page to ask further questions.

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

Individually the schools are run very well. Principals have created a healthy relationship between teachers, students, and parents. Parental involvment is significant in the district and is one of the biggest factors in the success of the district.

Teachers work together to create instruction programs which are flexible to different skill levels. Each school has staff dedicated to promoting excellence in at least reading.

The district also offers a variety of EL programs which are mostly funded by state and federal money. These programs are more vulnerable to state and federal budget cuts.

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

I really don't want to mess with the academic achievements of the district. My biggest concern is the state budget cuts. If we don't raise the money locally we will have to cut into the muscle of our academics. I think the best way to do that is expanding the use of school facilites during non-school hours to generate more revenue.

I also want to promote a constructive environment for teachers and classified employees. They work hard and should feel adequately respected for their efforts.

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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: September 10, 2010 14:45
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