League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
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Gary Lym
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This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/alm/ for current information. |
League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
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Gary Lym
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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Alameda and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).Questions & Answers
1. How do you define the responsibilities of this position?
I believe at this particular junction, an active school board is necessary to insure the effective management of the district. With past parcel taxes and now an upcoming bond, our residents need to be confident that our board is performing their due diligence in asking thorough questions as it relates to all expenditures. My accounting background provides me with a comprehensive understanding of budgets and how to manage them in a fiscally responsible manner. That includes understanding the justification of the expenditure and their relevance to meeting the needs of our students.In my opinion, the superintendent serves at the pleasure of the board members that are elected officials and not vice versa. The board needs to establish a clear directive to the superintendent that a collaborative partnership with all stakeholders will provide an optimal learning environment for students.
Having been active in the public schools as a volunteer (Bay Farm School, Lincoln Middle School, Alameda High School, Encinal High School), I believe our school board members need to be accessible to the stakeholders (parents, teachers, staff, and the community). If elected as a school board member, it is my goal to attend either PTA or SSC meetings at our 18 site locations throughout the school year. I believe our community expects from our school members an individual that is engaged and will listen and learn what is happening in our district at all the schools.
2. Elaborate on your top three priorities for the Alameda Schools; what problems do you foresee in implementing these?
- Implementation of Common Core. The district must communicate with the teachers in order to achieve success. The teachers need to provide direct input into their professional development as to what is needed for implementation. Provide teachers with the needed instructional materials for Common Core.
- The lack of Career Technical Courses. Without these courses, many high school students who seek a vocational path are not having their needs served. Funds need to be invested in this area so our students have options outside of the traditional college path.
- Future budget deficits will create huge problems for our public schools. Without a plan, many vital programs will be at risk. With my accounting background, I would like to ensure we are allocating and prioritizing our limited resources to achieve maximum student success.
3. What qualities and skills will you seek in a new superintendent?
The superintendent serves as a role model to his/her administrator who is responsible for implementing the board's directive at their site locations (i.e., schools). The superintendent should provide guidance to achieve this objective. This individual should be a demonstrated instruction leader, effective communicator, good listener, understands budgets and a good manager.4. How would you propose that the use of any new bond funds be transparent to the community?
The school board must work to have a collaborative relationship with the teachers, staff, parents, and the community in determining the allocation of the bond funds. All the stakeholders must be kept informed as to the status and progress of each project approved by the board. Transparency with full disclosure is essential to regaining the trust of our stakeholders.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. 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: November 3, 2014 19:56
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