Let's Get to Work

By Frederick Sims

Our schools are in crisis. Now is the time to get to work on helping our teachers and students. We must find creative and sustainable ways to improve student achievement and prepare our kids for the future.

Our public schools have made some important gains since then, but we all know that we still have a long way to go to close the achievement gap.

Some of the gains that we have made in education are eroding right before our eyes.

In this critical time, it's important that we work together and get resources to our children and in the classrooms. I intend to make sure that Hayward and Union City schools can take advantage of every program and service available at the Alameda County Office of Education.

One of the most pressing issues for all districts is money. State cuts and lower enrollments mean less and less money. Yet, we are asking our students and teachers to perform at higher and higher levels. Now more than ever, we must be fiscally responsible and accountable.

At the County Office of Education, between 20-25 percent of the budget is dedicated to the court and community schools. These are the schools that are governed by the Alameda County Board of Education. As a member of the board, I intend to see to it that every dollar earmarked for our students is spent in the most prudent way on our students.

The remainder of the budget (aside from salaries) is used to provide much needed support to all of the 18 local school districts in Alameda County. Those services come in the form of teacher training programs; grants; business services; human resources services; and computer technology services. These are all crucial services that local districts need, especially in these tight economic times.

I intend to build partnerships with local businesses in order to provide internships and school-to-work programs that give our students real-live work experience.

I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work giving our students the best education possible and helping them secure a bright future.

And I will work to make sure that the promise and dream of Brown v. Board of Education becomes a reality for all of our students.