League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Michael J. "Mike" Robles-Wong Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Alameda Unified School District

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Alameda and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. (Most pressing problem) What is the single most pressing problem facing the Alameda Unified School District in the next 24 months and how would you work with your elected colleagues to solve it?

Collective bargaining with the unions will take center stage, aggravated by the state funding issues. Our teachers are not the problem; they are a part of the solution. I would work to establish Board and teacher workshops and other forms of regular communication separate from negotiations that would serve to collaboratively involve teachers in helping the board develop policy solutions that we could all live with.

2. (Community input) What process would you recommend the School Board use for the community to provide advice for the district's consideration in decisionmaking and how would you make it evident that the district considers the advice?

My observation is that the school board meetings are very structured, long, and technically detailed. Much of the "speed of business" and having direct public access to your elected official is compromised. Having periodic "town hall" meetings scattered around town would be one way to informally elicit input and feedback, with an executive summary with proposed actions posted on the AUSD website following each meeting.

3. (School District Ð City Cooperation) How might the School District work more effectively with the City?

It helps to personally know and have had prior business experience with many of the key policy makers and staff of both organizations, which I do. The collaborative process works when you are able to re-frame the issues so that both parties can see a greater benefit by working together than separately. For example, the city and the district should work together on a facilities master plan not just because it makes sense on our small island, but that in these financially strapped times, how likely will taxpayers approve two separate "wish" lists?

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are presented as submitted. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 9, 2012 14:29
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