League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Tom Bundros Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Gilroy Unified 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?

The Board reviews the budget and actuals a minimum of three times a year. There are other meetings where the Board sets their spending priorities and those are folded into the next budget. The agendas for these meetings (which include the actual material that are to be discussed) are posted to our website for the community to view and think about. The meetings are completely open for district staff and community members to attend and comment.

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

Academic excellence for all students is one of my top priorities. All students have the right to be taught at their instructional level and challenged to move higher. High, medium, and low performing students (in any particular subject) must be engaged using different strategies and by teachers who have the appropriate skills. Grouping students by ability and assigning teachers who can provide the focused skills needed for that grouping (an output of an effective teacher evaluation process) is an effective strategy to appropriately engage and meaningfully challenge the students at hand.

The ability to read, write, and speak English is a fundamental key that unlocks the doors of opportunity in America and the world. The district and community must work together (without disparaging any other language or culture) to strongly and consistently support the mastery of English.

The Board must closely monitor student evaluation data to ensure that our students are moving forward.

3. Where do you want the District to be five years from now? What steps should the District take to get there?

The transition to Common Core Curriculum is a massive undertaking for all schools. I will ensure that all necessary due-diligence is performed, and that staff has the necessary resources and professional development needed to make a graceful transition.

We need to accelerate English Language Learners in becoming proficient in English. I will ensure staff seeks out demonstratively effective techniques to teach English learners and encourage they are implemented in our district.

IT technology can help move students academically if implemented well but can be a very expensive distraction if not implemented well. I will continue to encourage the Board to not throw money at technology without a well-researched and comprehensive technology plan that includes professional development for staff.

GUSD's employee total compensation packages are not competitive for some sectors of our staff which impacts turn-over rate. I will advocate for studies of similar neighboring districts of their compensation plans, how they pay for it, and use that information to "right-size" our employee compensation plans.

School is not relevant for many of our students which impacts discipline and graduation rates. I want to implement academic and career planning for all students no later than middle school and to start a "linked-learning"

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer to each question should be limited to 400 words. 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 27, 2014 23:12
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