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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Smart Voter
Santa Clara, Santa Cruz County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
Board Member; Loma Prieta Joint Union School District

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 Finances, Instruction, The Future

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

1. How would you determine that the schools are using federal, state and local funds wisely and fairly and how would you report your findings to the community?

Answer from Mario Montana:

I would focus on understanding the expense allocations that are made in the operating budget plan. Sources of funding are one area, expenses are the other. I would want to understand the assumptions made in the forecast and run "best case" - "worst cast" scenarios in order to be able to predict budget shortfalls or risks. Then, looking at the worst case scenarios, focus on putting in provisions for reserves for un-expected events.

All of this should not rely on additional funding from Parent fund-raising. These funds should be used to fund specific programs that the parents want - not to cover for unexpected short-falls due to poor planning.

2. Are the schools offering instruction appropriate to the diverse educational abilities of all the students?

Answer from Mario Montana:

We are struggling in the area of special education - primarily in the areas of special needs. This is an area of improvement and also financial exposure to the district.

3. Where do you want the District to be five years from now? What steps should the District take to get there?

Answer from Mario Montana:

I would like to see us achieve higher levels of academic performance, (A California Esteemed School), a stable teacher work force, and financially strong enough to have expanded the curriculum to include more in the area of arts, theatre and life management courses (for seniors).

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

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

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Created: January 4, 2007 09:38 PST
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