League of Women Voters of California
Stanislaus County, CA November 4, 2003 Election
	Odessa P. Johnson Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Modesto City Schools; 4 Year Term

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Talk about planning locations for new high schools, using the new Gregori High School as your example.

The five high schools in Modesto are extremely overcrowded, with increased residential growth and more students coming from north Modesto. For several years, the people of Salida have expressed interest in having a high school closer to Salida since as much as possible, schools should be located closer to the service area. With voter approval of the high school bond, sites for new high schools were sought with the Gregori site secured because of proximity to service area and acreage available. As with other issues that are affected by county decisions, Modesto City Schools has kept city and county staff informed of site acquisition process prior to the city/county embarking upon the business park plan. Better communication between city/county and MCSchool state may have eliminated some concerns, however, I believe the school will be built long before the park is developed and already the county has indicated a willingness to work with the school. This concept of having a school within a business park is not new for there are others in California. Hopefully, businesses will work with the schools to develop internships and allow sudents first hand lessons in business ownership and leadership.

2. With the prospect of continued dwindling resources, cite your priorities for staffing and programs, and identify those that you would reduce.

My goal is always to keep cuts as far away from the classrooms as possible. My priority would be starting at the top with administration, cutting travel and and other expenditure, not completely eliminating programs but sharing the necessary reductions in proportion among many. Instead of layoffs, ccertain staff may be asked to take on additional job responsisbilities. Unfilled positions would not be filled. All salaries would be frozen.

3. How should the Board of Education respond to parents who object to specific instructional material based on religious grounds? How would you respect the rights of all students?

Students come from not one but many religious backgrounds in our schools, therefore, to respect the rights of all, it is necessary that we keep parents informed of curricular content and give them the option to have their child opt-out.