League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	David J. Neighbors Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Berryessa 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.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

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?

My education and career as an accountant give me an understanding of financial statements. My participation on the District's Bond Oversight and Budget Committees has educated me on the methodology of the District's financial reports and the flow of monies from the state to the District. My focus is putting children first and making sure we spend the money first and foremost in the classroom. As a governing board member I will advocate for complete transparency of the District's finances.

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

As a public school district, we must be focused on meeting the needs of all students. We must do our part to close the achivement gap for Latino and low socio-economic students and to prepare Berryessa students to compete for the best jobs in Silicon Valley. The district has programs to meet the needs of all student from our highest achieving to special needs students. However, funding for programs to meeting the needs of our students who are failing behind need to be protected and expanded.

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

Five years from now I see our District using expanded resources generated from private industry and investment from our community to provide an extraordinary educational experience for the children of our community.

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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).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 10, 2008 19:24
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