Board Accomplishments

By Bruce Neustadter

This is a summary of the actions I have taken and the issues I have supported while on the Santa Cruz City School Board

As a Santa Cruz City School Board member I have been actively involved in supporting all students in their pursuit of an excellent public school education.

Supported equity issues in the district. · I have met with various community members to understand the needs of English Learners. · I requested translation systems for schools sites and the school board to provide adequate access for our Spanish-speaking parents. · I supported and encouraged the district to provide another full time teacher at Gault elementary which will lower class size this year at the 4th and 5th grade. I proposed funding be allocated to specific sites to better address the needs of our low income and English Speaking students. · I recommended that our new pre K program provide low-income student positions as a condition of approval of the contract to provide services.

Worked on the districts budget committee as a voting member to allocate funds to support the district. · I supported and approved 10 new full time teaching positions and 9 full time certified staff positions for the district. This is during a time of decreasing enrollment. · I supported the direction of funds to provide a part time assistant principle and janitor to Branciforte small schools. · I have supported and approved the hiring of a fundraiser to broaden the districts ability to seek more funding. · I initiated the process with the superintendent to reinstate the board's membership with the California State Board Association. This provides board members the ability to receive training and access to state political action that supports public education.

I am working on a strong collaborative relationship with UCSC.

· I have met with the administration at UCSC to address the changes in their student volunteer program that provides UCSC student volunteers to our schools. · I have initiated dialogue to reinstate our honors program that provides students direct access to classes at UCSC.

I have supported the needs of students through open dialogue and action. · I have met with parents, staff, teachers, and administrators on a regular basis to understand the ongoing needs within our district. · I have acted on input to support class size reduction by adding additional teachers to the staff. · I have support a Pre K program in our district. · I have worked to ensure teachers and staff have the resources to educate our students.