League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA March 5, 2013 Election
	David Vela Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the Board of Trustees; Los Angeles Community College District; Office 6

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What is the single most important issue facing LACCD today? How, as Trustee, would you deal with it?

One of the most important issues is funding for the LACCD. As a trustee I will ensure that our administration cut wasteful spending, increase revenue, apply for outside foundation, corporation and federal government dollars. The increase in funding should improve student's access to courses and streamline their educational experience.

2. What do you think should be the balance in LACCD between preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions and programs that provide workforce training?

I believe that both are just as important, however, we need to improve both. Provide the necessary tools to have our students achieve their educational and vocational goals.

3. What experience in general management, fiscal management and budgetary oversight would you bring to the job of Trustee?

As a 5 year school board member at the third largest school district in LA County, I have managed to balance the budget without permanent teacher lay offs. By cutting at the top and keeping our jobs in the classroom. I worked closely with my superintendents to think outside the box and look at ways to increase revenue. Including implementing a perfect attendance campaign which increased average daily attendance (ADA). I also spent ten years as a Sr. Field Deputy for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in charge of Unincorporated areas. As a Deputy I was responsible for administering large capital projects, law enforcement and public works projects. In this capacity I successfully managed the budget of these projects and ensured their delivery on budget and on time.

4. AB 2572 (Furutani) seeks to give the LACCD Board of Trustees authority to make changes in the way Trustees are elected (e.g. by district instead of 'at large') and make it possible to eliminate one round of the two-round LACCD election. Where do you stand on this legislation and the issues involved?

I am in support of what is more fair and what would not harm distribution of support for lower-income area students.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: January 14, 2013 07:34
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