Academic
- I will work to provide for a learning environment that challenges all students to realize and make the most of their God-given potential. I will require our schools to raise the bar for excellence, and help students achieve and excel, and become effective members of society. Every student will be challenged and assessed on the following learning outcomes as they progress throughout their high school academic years.
| Freshman: | Achievement of core academic skills |
| Sophomore: | Effective thinkers and learners |
| Junior: | Confident and problem solvers |
| Senior: | Achievers and scholars |
Funding
- One of the most important task as a board member is to ensure our schools get the proper funding they need. I will also ensure that No Child Left Behind works for all of our high schools, adult education centers, and teachers by rewarding those who meet higher standards and rewarding schools that turn around and improve. I will work to continue reform and put a great teacher in every classroom. I believe great teachers are the foundation of a great school. As a board member, I will enact a new bargain that offers teachers more, including better training and better pay in troubled schools, and asks for more in returns, including fast, fair ways to make sure that teachers who don't belong in the classroom transition to a more meaningful career. I will do the same for the employees who hold the critical part of academic deliveries in our school district.
Funding sources
- Improve Average daily Attendance: When kids are not in school, the district's revenues decrease. The state pays the district daily for students' attendance. If 10% of the students do not show up in class, the district will be 10% short in the budget. Therefore, the district has to invest back into sports, programs, and activities that will attract kids back into schools. This will ensure kids get a well-rounded education, and schools have the budget they need to operate. It is a win-win situation.
- Nation Education Trust Fund
- Corporate Sponsors and Donations: Local companies are likely to donate equipment, technology, and gears to support our schools. The district needs to reachout to these companies and seek support for our kids. In 1992-1996, local companies donated millions into the district for San Jose Education Network and Netday 96.
- Federal and State Grants: There are billions of education funds available. The district needs to put together a team to write new grants and request federal and state funding for our schools.
- Higher-Education Partnership: There are many modern colleges and universities that would be interested in leasing and locating their learning centers at our school campuses. Most of these colleges hold evening classes. This partnership will bring higher education closer to our students and expose them to higher education. Our kids can easily access colleges and plan the future. At the same time, the district is reimbursed for usage of the facility.
- Reasonable Parcel Tax: Unless there is no alternative, the district will have to tax the constituency for funds to operate our schools. Nevertheless, these funds are investment into our children future. We can afford to lose money, but if we lose our children, their future will be lost forever.
Safety and Security
- As a board member, I will work to provide safety for the best learning environment money can buy. Our students will have a sense of security and parents will feel secure about the well-being of their children in schools. I will work for ways to finance and bring back school busing and provide for every student safety by means of creating a new East Side Security Force. The East Side Union High School District is in needs of a safety and security force to provide security for its high school campuses. In addition to provide for a safe learning environment, the new East Side Police Department will play a big brother role to kids and help to encourage them to stay in schools, learn, and excel. They will be well-trained and kids-oriented. They will provide round-the-clock safety for East Side students. They will be part of the schools' family of classified staff with primary goal is to support teachers and administrators in educating kids. Like other law enforcement agencies, they will have the authority to enforce and uphold the law within the jurisdiction of the district. Currently, the district had contracted police services to the San Jose Police Department (SJPD). However, many students do not feel secure and many times, they are intimidated with their presence. In reality, these SJPD officers are doing a great job in the area of law enforcement, however, they lack the passion to help kids. This is because their goals are not inline with the goals of the school district wherein kids are our number one customers. The creation of the East Side Security Force comes in a good time when we are working to restore After-School Programs and support School's Open 'Til 'Six initiative.
Reform Our Schools
- In the last three years, funding for No Child Left Behind across our nation has fallen $27 billion below its promised levels. This has left inadequate support for the priorities we all share, like smaller classes, more textbooks, and more after-school opportunities. At the same time, the federal government has had a rigid, top-down mentality that dooms reform to failure. This is very evident at the East Side Side Union High School District. I believe we can do better. It will be up to local government and school board to offer resources and implement reforms to make our schools work for all our children. Schools like the East Side Union High School District will have to explore new way of creative financing, reasonable parcel tax measures, and look to corporate sponsorship and donation for needed funding support. Once elected, I will champion reform at our schools, and develop plan that will compliment and build on these beliefs and promises.
1. Provide Adequate Funding and Reserve for Schools
2. Put a Great Teacher in Every Classroom
3. Raise High School Graduation Rates
4. Offer Children After-school Opportunities through "School's Open 'Til Six"
5. Support A Well-Rounded Education
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