League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Dom Payne 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?

As a strong proponent of government transparency, I would continue to request monthly reports on the District's budget. I'm currently responsible for the Superintendent quarterly evaluation, and also participate in Board evaluation. I will continue to work to foster a system and culture of self-assessment by the school board. I will also continue to support oversight committee's like we use with our District's Measure P bond. I will continue to support review of budget decisions made by the Board, and report their findings at board meetings, and ensure that budget decisions are publicized on the internet.

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

I believe we can do a better job at offering innovative and diverse instruction. We have recently seen what that can look like at some of our schools, and I believe the board should support academic innovation and replicate it at all our schools. We must prepare all students, to increase the overall academic performance of all subgroups, so that they are successful and ready for college and employment in a world that is increasingly technological. Rethinking our High Schools' vocational programs is one example of this possibility, training students to design projects on computers, before creating actual models (PBL), and preparing them for the technology industry. I have been a part of partnering with nearby Gavilan College, and will continue to do so to implement a curriculum that better prepares our students for college.

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

I would like the district to continue the path of being on the cutting edge of inclusive and innovative instruction. I would like to see us continue an academic achievement standard of excellence as the result of investigating all teaching techniques, and utilizing those that work. In five years, I would like to see a school district that has made education the predominate exciting cultural achievement in Gilroy. Being near to the Silicon Valley, I believe our students should be well prepared for a future that is undeniably technology based, and they should be the first choice for employers in the technology industry. The District should practice a strategy of constant self review and an adherence to research, and working with teachers and parents, push for a curriculum and culture that achieves these goals.

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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: September 23, 2014 06:10
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