League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara, Santa Cruz County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
	T. N. Ho Answers Questions Candidate for Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 2

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience and training would you bring to this office?

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.

2. What changes, if any, would you recommend in the County's special education programs?

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.

3. What should be the role of the County Board of Education with regard to charter schools?

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.

---

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

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 15, 2006 12:42
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.