League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Trustee; San Jose Unified School District; Trustee Area 1

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 Use of Funds, Appropriate Instruction, District Goals 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 Paul James Murphy: The Mercury News has sole endorsed my candidacy based partially on my budget and finance skills. I would apply the skills I have gained through my education and my years of professional experience as a government auditor, policy and budget analyst and active parent to ensure all funds are accounted for and used wisely and fairly. I would continue the work I have done to make the SJUSD Budget more transparent and accessible to parents and taxpayers, and I would actively participate in the budget process throughout the year to align the budget's expenditures with the needs of the District and the Strategic Plan. At the site level, I would champion a process to have leadership of all kinds (teachers, principals, parents, classified staff and community members) collaborate to create a site budget that would be aligned with the vision of the school to deliver excellent educational services to all students. 2. Are the schools offering instruction appropriate to the diverse educational abilities of all the students? Answer from Paul James Murphy: SJUSD has embarked on a journey to implement a broad and ambitious 21st Century Strategic Plan. This Plan includes specific goals and objectives related to ensuring children of all educational abilities receive appropriate and effective instruction. The use of technology, best practices and a focus on fostering critical thinking skills in all students are some of the methods by which instruction will be redesigned to meet the needs of all students. 3. Where do you want the District to be five years from now? What steps should the District take to get there? Answer from Paul James Murphy: I am hopeful that in five years San Jose Unified School District will be celebrating the full implementation of the five year strategic plan that has been approved recently. The plan calls for SJUSD to become exemplary in its delivery of educational services that will equip all students to succeed and compete in the 21st Century. I would like the District to enjoy adequate and predictable funding in five years, and I would like the District to be able to report financial soundness including the adequate funding of Post Employment Benefit Liabilities. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.