Candidate for
Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 4

Simply put, the vision of the County Office of Education (COE) is to champion public education in our community, provide centralized support services to 32 school local districts and deliver direct services to students of special need and in early childhood, occupational and alternative school programs.

Visions are often simply stated...the devil is in the details. Today, the COE is under scrutiny by the very districts and communities it hopes to serve and the policy makers in Sacramento. Fewer students requiring alternative education programs are being served in our county today than two years ago. Many districts struggle with budget concerns, hoping to pass parcel taxes...but the COE is not advocating for their passage. The California Performance Review is considering dismantling all County Offices of Education, opting for regional centers throughout the state. How will that work?

If we believe the vision, where do we go from here? How can the COE deliver on its vision and mission? It takes leadership, a disciplined approach and a willingness to be held accountable.

AN AGENDA TO STRENGTHEN EDUCATION IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY...

Advocate for better schools and better programs

Identify the growing needs in our County - Santa Clara County achieves well on average, but the real needs lie below. We are plagued with an achievement gap, aging teaching workforce and high local cost to support schools. Our community must see the facts.

Develop and promote solutions - Our County prides itself on solving the world's problems, so leadership is here to help us at home. We can pull the best and brightest together to work on the pressing educational needs of our County.

Garner resources and support to make it happen - Support for better schools will require public and private support, and the COE and the Board is well positioned to tell the story whether in Washington, Sacramento or at the corporate offices in some of the Valley's most successful companies.

Build strong partnerships with local districts

Reach out with win/win opportunities - There are far too few conversations between the COE and local districts today, but there are many opportunities to help each other. The County should begin now by reaching out with the goal that both can win when we work together.

Seek to understand local district needs - The best way to begin a dialogue is to listen. The COE must reach a deeper understanding of the issues that burden local districts today.

Develop joint plans to support cooperative efforts - Talk is cheap; we need to act. Real plans, with real goals and milestones must be developed to deliver on meaningful opportunities between the COE and local districts.

Assist districts in preserving limited resources - The COE can play a special role in working closely with districts on budget issues. During these times when districts are most in need, the COE can share best practices, identify opportunities to save money and assist in developing plans or finding resources. Local districts will welcome the attention.

Serve the most in need in our community

Rebuild alternative programs; reach out to drop outs - Today, less students are supported by alternative education programs than a few years ago, but the need is no less. Most County alternative programs were returned to local districts, but the transition was rough and continues to make it easy for students in need to fall through the cracks. The COE must renew its interest in this countywide problem.

Support local districts hit by the high cost of special education - Special education budgets at local districts encroach heavily on the general fund. The COE can play a central role in helping in this arena with expanding quality education programs.

Lead the way toward universal preschool - The campaign has begun to develop a system for serving the pre-school in our community. The COE can play a central coordinating role as the plans are develop and funding is identified.