League of Women Voters of California
Santa Clara County, CA November 7, 2000 Election
	Carol L. Fisher Answers Questions Candidate for Governing Board Member; Proposed Mountain View/Whisman School District

The questions were prepared by the Los Altos - Mountain View League of Women Voters and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. How would you contribute toward the development of unity among the members of the new board and members of the school community to achieve harmonious merger of the new district?

To develop a sense of team among the members of a new merged school board, I would first work with my fellow members to establish ground rules that we would all abide by. These ground rules could include that the board adopt a positive, supportive attitude in the conduct of board business, be receptive and respectful, have integrity, communicate openly, honestly, and clearly, display a high level of professionalism, and operate with fairness.

Once ground rules were established, I would work with my fellow trustees to arrive at a common understanding of the purpose of the board, clearly define our roles as individual board members and as a board, and understand the organizational structure and processes of the school district.

In order to build a greater sense of community throughout the newly merged district, I would encourage and support bringing different school communities together for educational and social events.

2. What is your vision for the newly merged district?

The Whisman and Mountain View School District (WSD and MVSD) communities share very similar visions for their schools. I share the visions of expecting high academic achievement, building an inclusive community, increasing financial independence, supporting children's academic, social, emotional, and physical needs, and working to give the Mountain View community a better knowledge of their public elementary schools.

My work is dedicated to meeting these visions.

3. What issues or events have shaped your decision to seek trusteeship on the school board?

As a school volunteer and involved parent, I learned that MVSD is well run and largely successful in its mission to educate children. I also saw areas that could use improvement and felt that I could influence positive change in the district by becoming a trustee. In my time on the board I have worked to improve district communications with the community and establish well defined processes that become foundations for district operations.