Official Ballot Statement

	Official Ballot Statement
                Statement of AMADO M. PADILLA, Candidate for
                           Governing Board Member
   Occupation: Professor of Education
   Age: 54
   Education and Qualifications:
   I seek reelection to the Board of Education because I am committed to
   the education provided to children in the district. As the parent of a
   student in middle school and as a Stanford University Professor of
   Education, I intend to remain focused on the educational issues that
   affect the instruction students receive in our schools. In my four
   years on the Board of Education, I have worked to ensure that our
   educational programs are academically sound, intellectually
   challenging, and connected to the skills that our graduates need when
   they transition from school to work. To accomplish this, I believe
   firmly that our district should continuously evaluate its educational
   programs to be sure that we are meeting the obligation of delivering
   the best instruction to students.
   
   As a Board member and a candidate for reelection, it is also important
   to face the serious budget deficits which have caused us to rethink
   how we do business in the district. Hard decisions have been made in
   the last several years regarding programs and personnel. We are also
   in the midst of a school modernization program made possible by the
   passage of a $143 million bond. I have worked with the district's
   administrative staff and the school community to set responsible
   fiscal policy and with a building program that will serve the children
   and community far into the future.
   
   My record of service shows that I am deeply committed to maintaining
   the high educational expectations that make our schools exceptional
   places for children to learn and grow. My commitment to the voters and
   parents of the district remains consistent with the goals I have
   maintained over the past four years. These goals are: (1) Support
   continuous evaluation of our educational programs to ensure that all
   children learn and reach their potential; (2) Support parental
   involvement in the district as a partnership receptive to ideas of
   instructional choice, enrichment programs, class size reduction, and
   programs for learners with special needs; and (3) Ensure that we meet
   the community's commitment to sound fiscal management and the school
   modernization program.
   
   I want to continue to serve the Palo Alto community and the school
   district. I believe that I am uniquely qualified to serve on the Board
   of Education because of my prior Board experience and my knowledge of
   educational practice and policy.
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