The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Experience, Special Education, Charter Schools

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Charlie Ahern:

My experience as a board member of nonprofit organizations serving at-risk youth and as a business person with a background in accounting give me a balanced perspective on the mission and fiscal position of the County Office of Education.

As a city commissioner, I am familiar with the role and responsibilities of a public official; from the requirements of the public meeting laws to the complexity of working across governmental jurisdictions to actively seek a wide range of input from all elements of the community.

In college I majored in political science and education. In my last year of college, I fulfilled my student-teacher requirement to become a high school social studies teacher. Unfortunately, after my graduation, schools were laying off teachers, not hiring. A few years later, while getting my MBA, I taught undergraduate Corporate Finance.

My wife currently teaches developmentally disabled adults for the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District, so I understand the amount of off-hours time, energy, and personal resources that teachers invest in their classes.

By being on the board of Social Advocates for Youth and EHC Lifebuilders, I understand that some children may need temporary or long-term special programs. While "teaching for testing" may be effective for many students, others may need alternatives that meet their special capabilities or 'at-risk' status.

Answer from Lynette Lee Eng:

I have the experience and desire to be a vital and dynamic member of the Santa Clara County Board of Education. I have worked extensively with one school district on expanding curriculum and programs. I am also working with a number of school districts to increase current service options to assist with parental advocacy. I currently serve as Chair of the Los Altos - Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission working to bring forth after school enrichment programs; as a board member and volunteer mediator for a local mediation program; have been the Education Chair for a local civic organization; and serve on other civic committees. These many roles clearly illustrate that I have committed my life to serving the public and improving opportunities for the children in our community.

Answer from T. N. Ho:

Prior to serving as a member of the Santa Clara Couty Board of Education (SCCBOE), I was actively involved in our local schools, including serving as a member of the Fremont Union High School District Curriculum Committee. I also taught Computer Science courses at college level.

Since joining the SCCBOE, I have worked with my fellow board members, the superintendent, management, teachers and classified employees to ensure that the County Office of Education provide the best services to our local districts, and be the focal point for all resources needed in our schools.

Being the only board member with an engineering background, I am respected by many as the expert on the board for technical issues. Having managed a division of a company with a budget of multi-million dollars, I also have established myself as a board member who ensures that the $250 million budget of SCCOE is wisely and appropriate spent.

I am currently the Board President, and have used this position to advocate for public education throughout Santa Clara County.

Answer from T. N. Ho:

Of the $250M budget for Santa Clara County Office of Education, about $100M is for special education. It is a very important area of service that the SCCOE provides. However, SCCOE must work with the local districts on special education within the framework of SELPA (Special Education Local Planning Area).

The special education branch of SCCOE provides special education for severely handicapped students, and for autistic children. The objective is to relieve the local district of educational costs in these areas by consolidating the classrooms for these children.

Having served on the SELPA II board, I know that the County is providing an excellent education for these children. I enjoy attending the graduation ceremonies of our special education students, and share the joy of the students and their families in their achievement.

Special education requires continuously monitoring legislative changes and medical field discoveries. I have, and will continue to ensure that the County's Special Education staff will be trained to know the latest in educational, legislative, and medical requirements.

Answer from Lynette Lee Eng:

The Santa Clara Office of Education has done an excellent job in providing special, alternative and supplemental programs. The recent problems within certain school districts, however, mandate increased sensitivity to student safety. I would to ensure that the County programs continue to meet our current high standards and support our visions for the future by ensuring:

1) Basic safety: Adequate training and supervision of staff regarding emergency interventions, secure school environments (fenced play areas,) effective ways of investigating complaints, protection for whistle blowers.

2) Transparency: Oversight and investigation of problems by an independent body, all legally mandated reporting to be affected, including appropriate auditing of the situation when problems are reported.

3) Staff Education: Keep staff up to date with new legislation and training programs for special education.

Answer from Charlie Ahern:

The role of the county Board of Education is to consider applications for charter schools, monitor them for performance, and close charter schools that do not meet their charter goals.

The current Board policy on charter schools states "In granting charter petitions, the Board shall give preference to schools best able to provide comprehensive learning experiences for academically low-achieving students." While some Board members may advocate for privatizing our public schools, the Board has a responsibility to re-focus its energy to truly leave no child behind.

Answer from T. N. Ho:

The County Board of Education currently reviews Charter School application for county-wide charter schools and hears appeal from charter schools rejected by local school districts.

Charter schools are public schools that are regulated by legislation enacted by the state. They are not private schools as some people may believe. State laws have strict rules as to how they may be approved, and how they should operate.

The County Board of Education should operate within the framework that the State legislature prescribed in reviewing application and/or appeal of charter schools. Upon approval of such application, it should ensure that these schools provide their students with stated programs and meet their objectives.

Answer from Lynette Lee Eng:

The County Board currently grants petitions and provides oversight to charter schools applying for county level jurisdiction. I believe that the board should carefully review charter petitions and grant charters if the petitions are sound. Charters can provide school choice and educational opportunities that might not otherwise be available. Creating school choice for families is a big responsibility and commitment, therefore, the county board should act prudently and review charter petitions with extreme care and grant them if they satisfy community and educational needs.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.