|
The questions were prepared by the the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Role of CBOE,
Charter Schools,
Special Education
Click on a name for other candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
|
1. What do you see as the role of the County Board of Education in relation to local school districts and the State Department of Education?
|
Answer from Gary Rummelhoff:
The CBE has the opportunity to provide leadership for public education in Santa Clara County by defining and bringing attention to key educational issues. The CBE should lead the way in collaborative efforts between the COE and local districts that will maximize the use of limited resources. The CBE should develop a vision that includes delivering value-added services to local districts. Finally, the CBE is accountable for fulfilling the legal oversight of local districts required by the State Department of Education.
Answer from Alex Bantis:
The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) provides instructional, administrative, business and technical support services to the county's 32 school districts. By centralizing services such as payroll, employee fingerprinting, and Internet connections, the SCCOE helps districts to achieve greater efficiency and cost-savings.
SCCOE programs that provide direct instruction include Special Education, Head Start, Environmental Education, Regional Occupational Programs and Alternative Schools. An additional program, Migrant Education, supports the special needs of migratory children.
The Santa Clara County Office of Education is a champion for children, schools and the community.
|
2. What should be the role of the County Board of Education with regard to charter schools?
|
Answer from Alex Bantis:
The roll of the Board County Office of Education is 1. to listen to petitions for Charter Schools, 2. to be a conduit for monitoring Charter Schools in the County, 3. review requests for Charter Schools wanting to change or modify their charter.
Answer from Gary Rummelhoff:
The CBE is the final board of appeal. To the extent possible, the CBE should remain removed from these matters allowing local districts to approve charters and track performance. The CBE should be vigilant regarding cross-district issues if they emerge (chartering in a district different than the geographical offering of the charter school).
|
3. What changes, if any, would you recommend in the County's special education programs?
|
Answer from Alex Bantis:
The County special education programs are goverened by Federal laws and regulations. Therefore, we must comply to the laws and regulations.
Answer from Gary Rummelhoff:
Work more closely with local districts to target programs that will reduce encroachment on the general funds. With inadequate funding under IDEA, local districts are heavily burdened and need to the help from the well-trained staff of the COE.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Until noon on September 24 candidates must limit their answers to 300 words total for all questions so that those Leagues which are publishing a paper Voters Guide may copy the answers. After that time word limits will no longer apply. Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League or by Smart Voter.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
| 
League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
