League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 8, 2005 Election
	Barb Mitchell Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Palo Alto Unified School District

Questions & Answers

1. What approaches would you support to deal with the issues of diversity for students, faculty and staff in the Palo Alto Unified School District?

I would prioritize issues directly interfering with student success and seek insight from principals, parents and students on solutions. One issue in our diverse community is the access and affordability of college guidance services. We have 5,000 high school students who must rely on college-prep course planning, career and college admissions counseling to imagine their life options. Many don't have access to family advisors or expensive outside services. I favor grade-level guidance seminars, one hour a week, such as provided to public high school students in Scarsdale, New York.

2. How would you seek to assure voters that the schools are using state and local funds wisely and fairly to protect and enhance an essential investment in our children and our future?

I would open district budget communications, seek public input and make financial decisions based on direct educational benefits to students. I would account for all Measure A parcel tax funds. I would emphasize the board's role in setting financial priorities and call on principals, parents, staff, students and community members to identify our district's long-term and annual goals.

I've worked with our school district budget for over 15 years, been deeply engaged in annual budget planning at the elementary, middle and high school levels and led fund-raising drives at the local and district-wide level. I understand the difference a hundred dollars makes at the school level and am determined to use every dollar wisely.

3. What is your opinion of such reforms as creating "schools within schools" to reduce student stress, and how would you help a diverse student population achieve their educational goals, whether they are college bound or not?

I believe "schools within schools" can reduce student stress and studies suggest that students in smaller school communities are more likely to do well in school, feel safe at school, be involved in school activities and graduate.

To help students achieve their educational goals, schools and parents need to work closely together to plan that success. I favor individual educational plans for all students to establish simple objectives, plan support, monitor achievement, and provide parents and teachers with the continuity of year-to-year communications. Campbell Union School District is a neighboring pioneer in implementing individual "Student Success Plans."