League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Dorothy A "Dot" Theodore Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Castro Valley Unified School District

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

Questions & Answers

1. What specifically can a board member do to ensure that the education equity gap is narrowed or closed for all students?

The board can encourage open communication with all stakeholders: parents, teachers, staff, students and community member. The board can and should encourage the thoughtful outreach to underserved populations and be a part of that effort as an example of their commitment to the process.

Communication is important, not just relaying information to stakeholders, but in hearing the needs, respecting the diverse culture of stakeholders, and acknowledging the need for deeper conversations. To bridge the gap, communication cannot be one sided.

2. What is your long-term plan to assure that your jurisdiction has enough money to meet operating needs and service demands?

Although this is a time that money is finally returning to public education, it is important to not be frivolous in making budget decisions. We need to ensure that spending stays closest to our students. The money our district receives from the state is limited, the money we receive from the federal government is limited. My long-term plan for fiscal stability is to ensure that money is spent wisely and closest to students. I would advocate for a budget that fulfills the legal requirements for reserves but also best serves our students.

Our district has millions of dollars in repairs that need to be made. We need to ask our community to approve a bond to do it. This requires the trust of the community that the board will guide decisions carefully and thoughtfully. I will assure the community that the bond money will well spent and that our students and ultimately our community of Castro Valley will benefit from the repairs and improvements.

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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: October 8, 2014 12:47
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