League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Board Member; Los Altos School District

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Funding, Curriculum, Goals Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. How would you determine that the schools are using federal, state and local funds wisely and fairly and how would you report your findings to the community? Answer from John Swan: Our schools are strongest when the community has the information and the input to understand what is working, the areas for improvement and the rationale behind decisions made. This is an area in which we can improve. We need to communicate District decision-making, processes and practices more clearly and proactively. The LASD Board of Trustees serves its students and is accountable to our community + parents, taxpayers and other stakeholders. I will always remember that. As I talk with members of our community, it is clear that we need: a) More frequent, robust and transparent financial reporting that shows in detail how funds are being spent; b) To leverage technology to democratize community access to financial decisions and to give voice to parents and other constituents who have a legitimate stake in the proper use of funds + not everyone can come to LASD Board meetings in the evenings; c) More local control of funds; and d) To identify areas in which state and federal educational code requirements need revisions in order to be appropriate for our district so that we're fully able to customize our curriculum to the specific needs of our local children. Answer from Martha McClatchie: The district follows rules and regulations to ensure fiscal accountability. Compliance includes completion of the Local Control Accountability Plan, the School Accountability Report Card (SARC), the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) the Annual Independent Audit (which is included in the CAFR) and the annual report from the Citizens Advisory Committee on Finance tasked with review of the Parcel Tax expenditures. These reports are all available to the community via the LASD website http://www.losaltos.k12.ca.us/District/Department/147-Business-Services. The district publishes lots of financial information on its website. Is this information clear enough for our community? All of these documents need to be reviewed in order to determine fiscal accountability. To determine that federal, state and local funds are being used fairly, ongoing communication with all stakeholders, including principals, teachers, parents and kids is necessary. Board members need to act as advocates for all stakeholders and be accessible to the community. Through blogs, personal visits to school sites, Q&A's on the district website we can increase our level of communication. Throughout the year at district board meetings, the district staff informs the board of the financial status of the district. As a LASD Trustee, I will review all documents, take comments from the community and address issues and concerns with staff for follow up and action as needed. Answer from Vladimir G. Ivanovic: Financial oversight of the Los Altos School District is the responsibility of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Finance (CACF), of which I am the chair. We advise the LASD Board on financial issues, and have done so for 20+ years. Such an oversight committee, in existence for so long, is possibly unique in California. We work very closely with the District and we look at the entire gamut of financial expenditures and revenue. We annually provide the Board with a six year forecast which they use to guide their decisions in preparing next year's budget. I am on the Enrollment and Revenue subcommitees, so I have detailed knowledge of LASD demographic trends and the variations in our revenue stream. Other subcommittees look at Expenses, Compensation & Benefits, Communication, and a 20-yr outlook. We produce annually a legally-required report to the community on how parcel tax funds are being spent, and we also make an annual comprehensive presentation to the Board with recommendations on the financial state of the District. Answer from Tamara L. "Tammy" Logan: The LASD Board has a rigorous budget development and review process. Our finance officer and the Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance (CACF) create long term projections, identify risk areas and recommend assumptions based upon comprehensive research of property tax, enrollment and expense projections. CACF members include real estate and finance professionals and the committee holds public meetings to discuss recommendations. After board review and input, these recommendations are incorporated into the district budget. The budget summary is an easy to read, comprehensive document that explains not only how money is being spent in the current year, but also highlights future risks, enrollment trends and student performance measures. The latest summary is available here: http://lasdschools.org/files/user/1/file/Executive_Summary_2014_15.pdf Over my current term, the district has increased reserves while improving the educational program. The Los Altos School District budget has consistently received the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award and certificates of excellence from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). 2. Are the schools offering instruction appropriate to the diverse educational abilities of all the students? Answer from Martha McClatchie: We are truly blessed to live in a district that is consistently ranked in the top 1% of the state for student performance and achievement. This does not mean, however, that some children do not struggle. The district offers those children a supportive learning environment that meets their needs through Special Education resources. We have outstanding teachers leading our students. To ensure that teachers stay abreast of the latest technologies and developments, we need to offer them the opportunity to expand their knowledge as well as support their individual learning through continued education and training. All classrooms have a range of student talent and ability. Children who excel at their current level have historically been offered enrichment through a program called Gifted And Talented Education (GATE) (http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/gt/gt/), but no longer are offered such programs. With the help of technology, a GATE-Like education opportunity can be in all of our classrooms, for all students. GATE is now part of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and will be administered at the local level (district level) and we have this opportunity. Today's teachers are teaching to the whole child, which includes academic instruction and attention to the social emotional needs of each child. The district seeks to offer instruction that is engaging for all kids, including blended learning, project based learning, online instruction and challenges (ie. Khan Academy). Can more be done? Absolutely. Going forward teachers will need to manage individual student's learning experiences so that all students can reach their own unique potential. Answer from Vladimir G. Ivanovic: Yes. The District spends approximately 20% of its budget on children with special needs, and does it well enough that surrounding districts send their children to LASD to be educated. We have outstanding programs for English-language learners and for children with special needs. We offer differentiated instruction for children who can be mainstreamed, as well as special day classes. For gifted students, we offer differentiated instruction, after-school programs, and advanced classes. Answer from John Swan: We can do more to inspire every student, not matter what their level of proficiency, to reach his or her potential. By the appropriate use of technology and investing in outstanding teaching we will create a curriculum classroom environment that promotes creativity, innovation and a love of learning for every student. Technology: Educational technology has finally evolved to a point where individualized learning can become a reality in our public schools. Technology gives us the tools to personalize each child's learning experience in a cost-effective way. With personalized learning, curriculum can track each child's pace of progression and adapt to that particular child's learning styles and needs. Technology also facilitates feedback among teachers, parents and students and provides richer data on the needs of our children + well beyond the data provided by a single test score. Teaching: We also need to invest in outstanding teachers who can nurture a love of learning in their students. LASD has recently enhanced its professional development + we must continue to invest both in our teachers and our classrooms. Curriculum and Classroom Environment: We need to offer student opportunities that are available to every student, not just ones who can afford the significant cost of on-site after school programs. We must continually evaluate our programs to improve programs that work and discontinue programs that are no longer serving our students well. Specifically: a) Create interdisciplinary, experiential learning that engages students by collaborating with our local Silicon Valley companies and educational institutions; b) Offer different learning models c) Start world language instruction prior to 7th grade; d) Expand the STEAM curriculum (Science, Engineering, Art and Music) in a thoughtful, effective way; and e) Execute a vision for our junior highs + appropriate grade configuration (6-8 or 7-8), more engaged learning through the use of smaller learning communities, and enhanced social and emotional support for the junior high years. Answer from Tamara L. "Tammy" Logan: LASD is already far ahead of the state in embracing the goals of the Common Core State Standards using project-based learning, design thinking and interactive technology to achieve deeper learning and more critical thinking skills. We offer multi-level math instruction with accelerated offerings and flexible in-classroom student grouping to facilitate differentiated instruction. Our instructional program includes music, art and PE in all grades. Every elementary student has regular activities in our Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) labs where they learn not just technical skills, but also creativity and collaboration. We have an active program for instructing classroom teachers in the use of Systemic English Language Development (ELD) as well as explicit instruction by full-time ELD staff. Along with mandated special education services, the district continues to examine improved mainstreaming opportunities as well as reverse mainstreaming for general education students to increase understanding. The district supports students in many other ways that are well outlined in the district Vision (http://www.losaltos.k12.ca.us/District/Portal/Our-Vision) and LCAP (http://www.losaltos.k12.ca.us/District/News/6720-Local-Control-&-Accountability-Plan.html) 3. Where do you want the District to be five years from now? What steps should the District take to get there? Answer from Vladimir G. Ivanovic: I would like to see all grades in all schools, fully engaged in 21st century learning, which includes the four C's (communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking), using project-based learning and appropriate technology to enrich and engage our children. We need to incorporate an explosion in our understanding of the neural basis of learning as well as modern computer and networking software and hardware. I would like to see the school day lengthened and for us to reincorporate a vigorous arts program covering the fine arts, drama, music and dance. I would like to see the District get out in front of issues of facilities and enrollment growth. To get there we need to focus relentlessly on student achievement. We have an outstanding school system that brings many families to Los Altos, raises our property values, and provides the core of many vibrant communities. We need to provide our teachers with ample professional development so they can teach 21st century knowledge and skills. Answer from Tamara L. "Tammy" Logan: Our parents value schools where children succeed not just academically, but also emotionally and behaviorally. Our high-performing, neighborhood-based schools have proven the benefits of a small student body with dedicated and well-trained staff as evidenced not just by test scores, but also by our energetic and thriving community. As a consequence of district success, enrollment is up by 107 students compared to the beginning of the 2013/14 school year or about 20% of a school. These increases are happening year after year and now we need more space. Passing a school bond and increasing available facilities will be the most important project for the next 5 years. Further, our classroom teachers are our most valuable resource and biggest influence in achieving student success. We must continue attracting the best teachers by providing fair and equitable compensation, a great place to work, and a comprehensive system of evaluation, training and support. LASD and its staff have a very positive relationship based on mutual respect and always keeping the needs of children as the primary focus. As a school board member, my job is to keep the district vision aligned with these goals and insure that our leadership is successful in implementing the district vision. I look forward to seeing what more we can achieve as we continue to implement the district vision of "Revolutionizing learning for ALL students." Answer from John Swan: I want every student thriving intellectually, socially and emotionally. I want our community united in supporting all public school students. I want an additional school site to enable us to continue our effective small school communities; I want a longer term focus in planning such that we no longer have to scramble due to a short term focus. I want the district to become a recognized leader not only in California but also in the nation. We get there by focusing on maximizing the potential of every student with outstanding teaching that results in true student engagement and instills a love of learning. We get there by remembering that as a member of the LASD Board of Trustees, I serve all our public school students and am accountable to our community of parents, taxpayers and other stakeholders. We get there by smart decision making and planning for the future and open, frequent and transparent communication and collaboration. Silicon Valley is the innovation capital of the world + what better place to help re-imagine public education. I want to harness Silicon Valley's deep resources and innovation and apply them in the classroom, as I've already done for thousands of college students through my work on the foundations of SJSU and Mission Valley Community College, as well as through my work on the board of the Intel International Engineering and Science Fair. LASD children should be exceptionally well prepared to compete in an increasingly hyper-competitive global marketplace. Here in Silicon Valley we should strive for nothing less. Answer from Martha McClatchie: My goals as a LASD Trustee: Promote the advancement of 21st Century learning opportunities for kids: Through training and development of teachers and staff all children will be able to reach their potential. Allow Staff and teachers to be innovators and inspirations for our students. Safeguard the District's assets: Ensure that we are spending taxpayers money wisely. Continue to use the Blue Print Strategy process to work on short term and long term district goals. Manage the student enrollment growth: Given the high density housing development along the El Camino corridor, we need to plan for growth by adding additional capacity. Regardless of what demographers and developers claim, parents with young children will flock to our community for the opportunity to be a part of the excellent Los Altos School District. Our Trustees need to work together with City Councils to develop schools within our community for all of our children. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer to each question should be limited to 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.