League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	David J. Neighbors Answers Questions Candidate for Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 5

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 do you see as the role of the County Board of Education?

The County Office has some very specific areas of responsibility, administrative support for Districts, Head Start program implementation, alternative schools, special education, and the role as charter school authorizer and overseer. I think the number one issue facing the County Office is leadership. For the casual observer, the County Board is only ever discussed in a negative way. Whether it is in-fighting on the Board, the turn-over of the Superintendent, or about how the former Superintendent wants the County Office to take the hit for the loss in value of his condo, it is important that leaders on the County Board lead the County Office. While the responsibilities are very specific with the County Office, the position the County Office can play in leading the education conversation in the County is unmistakable. I remember vividly when the Superintendent and Board of the County Office led a serious and important discussion, along with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group's Carl Guardino and former San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer, about a County-wide funding mechanism for schools. That is the type of thought-leadership that must come from the County Office, but for too long has not.

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

I have served on the Berryessa Union School Board since 2010. I grew up attending schools in East San José, attended San José State University, become a Certified Public Accountant, and am incredibly involved in my local community. Specifically, I am on the Board of The National Hispanic University Foundation, Independence High School's Academy of Finance Advisory Board, and San José State's Beta Alpha Psi Scholarship Board of Trustees; and I play an active role in Toyon Elementary School's Parent Teacher Association and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (as the immediate past president of the Silicon Valley/San José chapter).

3. Do you see a need for any changes in the way that the County Board of Education is operating?

I am collaborative, non-combative, and generally a person who uses communication rather than retaliation to address challenges. In other words, my style, my background, and my past experience are in direct contrast to my opponent's. I am proud of the relationship that I have with my current Superintendent and he has taken the rare step of endorsing me in this race. While he will be sad to lose me if I am fortunate enough to win, he understands that the County Board is a critical position and he has been strongly supportive of this effort. Our relationship is based on mutual respect, even when we disagree. I think you would be hard-pressed to find any of the current County Board members having that type of respectful relationship with their current or former Superintendents. While this is a non-partisan seat, I am proud to have the endorsement of a bi-partisan group of leaders, including former Republican Assemblymember Jim Cunneen and former Democratic Assemblymember Joe Coto.

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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.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 26, 2012 12:30
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