League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara, Santa Cruz County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Buck Polk Answers Questions Candidate for Trustee; West Valley-Mission Community College District; Trustee Area 2

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. What experience and training would you bring to this office?

I have proudly served on the Board for the past six years and have worked extremely well with my Board colleagues listed above. In addition, I worked for 36 years in the Santa Clara School District, 31 of which were in school administration. I graduated from Santa Clara University and earned a Masters degree in School Administration from Stanford University. In this difficult economy our Board has a balanced budget for 2010-11. Tough choices were made: administrative costs were cut, staff was reduced, and operational costs contained. Despite those measures, I am confident both colleges will continue to deliver outstanding educational programs for our students. With experience in both public and private sectors, I will always support policies that allow our students every opportunity to be successful. I respectfully ask for your vote to continue this important work.

2. What do you see as the role of the board in labor negotiations?

The Board must set the specific fiscal and policy parameters for its Negotiating Team to engage with the various bargaining units. It must not actively engage in the negotiating process. The Board must insure that the financial integrity of the District be maintained to permit the District to continue its educational function.

3. What are your goals for the college? Are students, faculty and staff currently meeting those goals?

I know that to keep Silicon Valley thriving, today's students need strong 21st Century skill-sets with emphasis on Math, Technology and Science. All Students, Faculty and Staff are working hard to keep meeting these goals. As our College Board Trustee for Area 2, I have advocated, and will continue to support:

• We must continue to offer a wide variety of courses that meet the needs of all our students and that our faculty, staff, and counselors continue to assist the students in the successful completion of those courses.
• Expansion of core classes to facilitate university transfers
• Career and technical courses in high demand and emerging fields
• Flexible technology-enhanced curriculum to meet the workplace needs of the 21st century
• Increasing funds for student scholarships and continuing to reduce textbook costs
• Continue to ensure that the District delivers a balanced budget and remains on solid financial ground

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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. Answers must not refer directly or indirectly to another candidate.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 1, 2010 21:09
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