League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Alameda County, CA February 7, 2012 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Board of Education Member; City of Piedmont

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Piedmont and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on School Funding, Civic Engagement Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. If the State makes mid-year cuts in school funding, as a school board member what would you do to balance the school budget without sacrificing the quality of Piedmont schools? Answer from Jon F. Elliott: Since state funding was first cut in 2008, the District has moved incrementally each year in the direction of balanced budgets, while striving to maintain the quality of our schools. Each year has brought program cuts, higher parcel tax levies, and increases in voluntary donations by parents and the community. Beginning in 2011, teachers and other staff have also made important compensation concessions. Since budgets have not balanced in any of these years, the District has also drawn down its reserves. This year's District budget does more of the same, with enough remaining reserves to absorb mid-year state funding cuts without any immediate program cuts here in Piedmont. As a parent advocate over the past several years, and as Chair of the Parcel Tax Citizens Advisory Committee for the past two years, I have supported the District's incremental approach in concept. However, I have pushed for larger cost cuts, believing that the state's budget problems would continue for longer than the School Board hoped. I have also challenged the Board to explore more cost-effective ways of providing excellent education. Given our situation, I agree that the most reasonable strategy is to move toward balance, even if it takes several more years to get there. I would continue this approach as a member of the School Board, while pushing for additional efforts to: review how changing the curriculum, teaching approaches, and technology can improve educational quality within existing budgets, and/or reduce the damage to programs caused by cuts; and engage with parent groups, the Piedmont Education Foundation, and the broader community to elicit their opinions about educational goals and approaches. More community support and funding helps maintain quality programs, and also ensures that the District provides the programs the community values most. Answer from Rick Raushenbush: Governor Brown has released his budget proposal earlier in January than anticipated. At this time, current estimates are that mid-year cuts to PUSD will be approximately $40,000. The Piedmont Parent Clubs generously have set aside funds that will cover this amount. PUSD's educational program will be threatened if the 20% cut in State funding continues for more than another year or two, but is not threatened by the mid-year cut as currently estimated. In spite of deep cuts from the State, through a combination of foresight, planning, and collaboration, our District has managed to not only maintain, but continue to improve, the quality of the education we provide to our children. But this has not been without sacrifices and trade-offs. Employees have taken painful and permanent cuts to their benefits, and temporary pay cuts in the form of furlough days; As a result of furlough days, students have lost school days and teachers have lost professional development; Piedmont voters authorized increased and emergency parcel taxes, and Parents' Clubs are contributing more directly to the District for core educational services; Some District programs and services have been scaled back; Donors and taxpayers are continuing to support the schools in order to save jobs and protect programs; and We have built larger operating reserves to help weather current and temporary economic uncertainties. I greatly appreciate the sacrifices that have been made and everyone's efforts to protect the public education of our children. It is because of these efforts and actions that our District is better prepared than most to address potential mid-year cuts. Answer from Sarah Pearson: The latest proposal shows the District budget getting cut by $65,000 and the District had already prepared for $620,000 in one-time cuts. Although we are still dealing with a serious and probably ongoing problem of insufficient state funding, the current program will not be affected this year. I applaud the District for its careful planning and conservative estimates in this time of budget uncertainty, and it is critical that the school board and administration continue to focus on how to allocate scarce resources wisely. Because of declining revenues from the state over the past five years, the District has cut costs in a variety of ways. For example, throughout the district, class sizes are bigger. At the elementary level, cuts include the elimination of Occupational Therapy (except for Special Education) and reduction of math/reading/science/art/library/counseling services. At the high school and middle school, library assistants were eliminated. Last spring, teachers agreed to a three-year contract that includes five furlough days and teachers are now responsible for increases in health costs. Our program has stayed strong despite the shrinking revenue from the state. This is due to some reductions in services, compensation sacrifices of all employees and continued generous support from our community and parents. Our current school parcel tax now accounts for over one third of the PUSD operating budget and an additional $100 per child from parent donations is now transferred from Parent Clubs to the District to compensate for losses from the state. Thankfully, the past few years have shown record levels of fundraising through the Giving Campaign and Spring Fling. As a result of this combination of careful planning, sharing the costs, cutbacks and successful fundraising, the current educational program should continue this year and next. However, costs exceed revenues. To provide the current program requires spending down the reserve. The reserves are large enough to cover through 2012-13, but then steps will need to be taken to balance the books. In the coming years it will be critical to come up with creative, innovative solutions to achieve more with less. It is critical that we start planning now, and think strategically about how to use our resources most effectively. Clearly, in the absence of additional revenues, we will have to make further cost-reductions. The challenge will be to make these cuts in the wisest and most thoughtful way, to preserve as much program as possible. As a school board member, I will actively seek input and research ways to allocate scarce resources wisely so that we can ensure the best possible educational experience for Piedmont's children + now and in the future. Answer from Andrea Swenson: We need to think about new ways to deliver a quality education and be resourceful about doing more with less. In fact money is not the answer to everything. It is how you spend the money that matters. Our budget is a reflection of our values as a community. Even if we did not have financial issues we would still have some difficult decisions. How do we better integrate technology into the classroom? How do we adequately develop, access, and retain great teachers? Most importantly how do we ensure that Piedmont students will continue to explore the world beyond with curiosity, rigor, flexibility and a moral compass that reflects empathy for their fellow citizens? 2. Recent issues in the city have created tensions and polarized the community. What would you do to foster civic engagement and dialogue if you were on the Piedmont Board of Education? Answer from Andrea Swenson: It is crucial to elicit input from the entire Piedmont community when important decisions need to be made. When issues arise that demand extra attention, supplemental meetings must be organized to assure community collaboration. For example, parcel tax discussions, whether or not to rebuild Havens School, and the Emeryville school bus transportation issues, absolutely required special school board and community meetings. Input from parents and community members are an important part of the decision-making process. Answer from Jon F. Elliott: The most contentious recent issues in Piedmont share one important aspect: by the time the public became generally aware of each, there was already a well-defined proposal backed by organized proponents. In these situations, the public could only react, either to support or protest the identified proposal. People who wanted more time to understand the issues had to make common cause with those who opposed the proposal. As a result, the process became contentious rather than collaborative. Fortunately, most situations were smoothed out after belated public hearings and a search for common ground. However, these situations left ongoing distrust and alienation, both among those who reacted against the process and among proponents whose proposals were criticized. In contrast, some potentially-contentious issues proceeded much more smoothly because the Board provided for broad, open-ended public discussion early enough that members of the public had meaningful opportunities to ponder, ask questions, and suggest answers. Even when parents or other community members disagreed with the outcome, it was easier to accept the ultimate decision after having time to engage with the issues and to offer meaningful input about the alternatives considered. I've used available District-provided opportunities as a long-time parent volunteer and advocate, helped improve them when possible, and pushed for more. If elected, I'll stay available to talk, and will continue to push several inter-related approaches to enhance input: make clear summaries of issues and information widely available through multiple methods, so busy Piedmonters know when issues they may care about are arising -- clear website descriptions, school and District newsletters, School Board agendas, and inputs to the local news media. highlight important issues, so they don't get buried -- provide well-formatted summaries and clear graphics, and place important updates before routine information. expand chances for early public input, while issues are still being explored and before staff recommendations are all-but-ready -- schedule and publicize meetings (site councils, parent information nights, and District meetings) to alert people when issues they may care about are in play, so they'll take the time to email and/or show up and offer their opinions and expertise. expand venues where community members can stay involved. Site councils, curriculum forum meetings, and oversight groups for the seismic bonds and parcel taxes are very important places for parents and taxpayers to work alongside teachers and other District staff, to develop more collegial relationships and approaches to problem solving. Answer from Sarah Pearson: In speaking with citizens, a frequent refrain is that we need to "restore civility" in Piedmont. One of the reasons that I am running for office is to bring people together and work collaboratively. I'm interested in hearing both sides of an argument. I try to understand and validate all sides of an issue and then see where to find common ground. I honor difference of opinion and work to maintain civility and respect. As a school board member, I will actively engage the community so I can understand the perspectives of all the constituent groups. I understand that busy schedules often prevent residents from attending open meetings. One of my strengths is that I'm approachable and accessible. I love discussing issues, and I welcome phone calls, emails and letters from residents. When there is a need for extensive public input on an issue, I would propose a series of well-publicized study sessions. For citizens who couldn't attend, I'd suggest email or surveys to solicit the spectrum of opinions. In addition to receiving input, it is important that the School Board communicate clearly with residents. I believe that the School Board should provide the public with a rationale for the decision-making process on controversial issues. I will listen to all voices, carefully weigh the pros and cons, and make my decisions based on what's best for children, while considering the implications for the entire community. Answer from Rick Raushenbush: The Piedmont Board of Education will continue to provide transparent decision-making, ample opportunity for public comment on issues before the Board, opportunities for public dialogue on specific issues of interest to parents or community members, and a wide variety of existing forums for promoting parent and student engagement on school issues. We improve our decision-making when we have an opportunity to hear divergent views on important issues, even when a decision must be made that may not necessarily please everyone. Ideally, public discourse should be civil and respectful. Depending upon the nature of the issue, there are times when the dialogue becomes more heated. I bring an analytical approach to decision-making and am not afraid to facilitate the discussion of difficult issues. I encourage parents, students, residents and other interested individuals to participate in the local democratic process. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' answers are presented as submitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.