League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Heather Reyes Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Hayward Unified School District

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Eden Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. (School funding priorities) With school district budgets throughout the state cut to the bone, what would you cut and what would you avoid cutting if Prop 30 doesn't pass and "trigger cuts" to education are implemented?

There will never be enough money. The key is to prioritize what we do with the funds we know we have. If individuals and families are expected to balance their household budgets, there's no reason the school district shouldn't be expected to do the same. (As a member of HUSD's Fiscal Integrity & Transparency Advisory Group (FITAG), I have some very detailed ideas of what should happen and hope you will attend any of the upcoming Candidate Forums to hear what I have to say. Please also feel free to contact me directly! My phone number is 510-677-4557 or via e-mail: Heather@HeatherReyes4Hayward.com.

2. (Board Member effectiveness) How would you go about improving student achievement, gaining the trust of the teaching and classified staff, and ensuring transparency and open communication with parents?

(Please visit my website at http://www.HeatherReyes4Hayward.com) One thing I've heard time and time again from Hayward voters is the non-responsiveness of the Board. I'm the only candidate with my phone number in my candidate statement that went out to thousands of HUSD voters. My commitment to open communication started even before campaigning to be elected to the Board.

3. (Superintendent performance objectives) If elected to the board, what kind of performance objectives would you set for the new Superintendent?

(Please visit my website at http://www.HeatherReyes4Hayward.com) If we keep it simple, we are more likely to achieve our goals. HIGH STANDARDS, DISCIPLINE and SAFETY must be at the top of the list, PERIOD. Everything the district does should fall under these three categories starting with the board, the administration, principals, teachers, staff and students. Ultimately, it is the community's responsibility to ensure the business of the district is done. This is why the school board election is so important.

4. (Board focus) Parents, teachers and the media have cited the "incivility" of some board members as a factor that hinders the board from important governance decisions. What would and can you do to ensure that the board stays focused on giving all students an opportunity at a good education?

(Please visit my website at http://www.HeatherReyes4Hayward.com) Leading by example is what I do already as a parent of two students attending Hayward schools. So long as the Board members have a good relationship with each other despite their differences, the focus can still be on the students and the business of the district. There is no excuse whatsoever for poor behavior in the public eye. To answer the question of what would I do and what could I do: I've already taken the initiative by stepping up to run for school board despite my full time commute to work, raising our two children and being a responsible homeowner. My experience and accomplishments working with challenging people in my life and current line of work will help in my role as a school board member.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are presented as submitted. 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: November 6, 2012 11:05
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