League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	David J. Neighbors Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Berryessa Union 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?

I would hold public meetings and open houses to illustrate strides we are (hopefully) making in the area of closing the achivement gap amongst the District's students. Listening to concerns from parents and staff and each school site (continued participation in PTA and the Berryessa District Advisory Council) will alow me to keep up-to-date and happenings, successes, and challenges.

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

While the achievement gap is closing, we have additional work to do in math. Here in Silicon Valley we must (with proper support) strive toward getting all of our students to take algebra in 8th grade. As a board, we must work toward serving all of the District's students by providing resouces educators need. We need to listen to those who work directly with the students and be willing to be held accountable by the community.

3. Where do want the district to be 5 years from now? What steps should the district take to get there?

Our District is being underfunded relative to neighboring districts and I'd like to work with our local legislators toward equity in school funding. I'd like to work closely with the bargaining units and the administration toward a collaborative atmosphere where all District employees are valued and their ideas are considered for implementation. We must close the achivement gap and provide help to our students who are struggling.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Answers must not refer directly or indirectly to another candidate.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 9, 2010 21:13
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