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Santa Clara, Santa Cruz County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
Smart Voter Political Philosophy for Charlie Ahern

Candidate for
Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 2

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

  • Engage parents in their children's educational success

The educational success of a child depends on the involvement of parents. However, demanding work schedules and long commutes often limit parents' participation in their children's education. Single-parent and dual-income families find it particularly difficult to help their children with school.

The County Office of Education must provide leadership in developing innovative, flexible programs across the county that help parents become more engaged in educating our children, at home and at school.

  • Develop teachers and administrators to replace 'baby boomer' retirees

As the 'baby boomer" generation retires, our schools will need many more new educators in the classrooms and school offices. The County Office of Education has a major responsibility in recruiting, training, and mentoring a new generation of teachers and administrators for local school districts, as well as for the schools staffed by the County Office of Education.

  • Raise funds for Walden West renovation

The Walden West environmental education center needs significant renovation. Unlike local school districts, which have undergone major renovations in the past few years, the County Office of Education cannot issue bonds to fund the Walden West renovation. For this reason the county Board of Education must take a leadership role in raising the funds to renovate Walden West. For more information about Walden West, go to http://www.sccoe.k12.ca.us/waldenwest/

  • Ensure fiscal efficiency and stability of schools county-wide

The county Office of Education is responsible for assuring the fiscal stability of the school districts across the county.

In a few years, we will feel the full impact of underfunded Federal mandates. "Teaching to the test" will no longer be sufficient to exceed ever-increasing hurdles on standardized examinations. Parents will withdraw their children from 'failing' schools to enroll them in 'high performing' schools.

The resulting turmoil in enrollments and attendance-based funding, combined with a push to privatize public schools, could cause widespread school closures, redistricting, and teacher reassignments.

The county must work to ensure that students get the most value for every dollar that we spend and to assure parents of the financial stability of their neighborhood schools.

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 21, 2006 15:47
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