This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/scl/ for current information.
Santa Clara County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
Smart Voter

Experience and Position Statement

By Frank Biehl

Candidate for Board Member; East Side Union High School District

This information is provided by the candidate
Overview of experience and outline of basic positions
Vote for New Leadership in Education

Frank Biehl

For Governing Board Member of the East Side Union High School District

  • A parent with children in school

Frank Biehl has lived on the East Side with his wife, Barbara and their two sons, Brian and Kevin, for 16 years. Frank is an investor and community volunteer. Barbara works for the Mexican American Community Service Agency (MACSA) where she is a dietitian with their Adult Day Health Care program. Brian is a senior at Evergreen Valley High and Kevin will enter the seventh grade at Boeger Jr. High this fall.

  • Active in education

For the past three years Biehl has served as President of the School Site Council at Evergreen Valley High. His leadership and ability to work with parents, administrators, teachers and students has contributed to the success of this school. In 2005 Biehl represented parents on the East Side Union High School District Budget Task Force.

  • Parents know what is best for their children

School administrators are most effective when they actively engage and respond to the concerns of parents. Communities support schools when school officials listen to the community.

  • Dollars should be directed to the classroom

Biehl believestax dollars are best-spent supporting classroom teachers. Taxpayer dollars should not be wasted on excessive district administration.

  • Favors decentralized/cooperative school management

He understands that parents, teachers, administrators and students working cooperatively at each school create high academic achievement. Each neighborhood high school is different; centralized, top down, bureaucratic policies do not work.

  • Board members need to listen and work together

The Board's job is to listen to the community, fairly allocate funds, approve academic goals and hold the Superintendent accountable. The Board must demonstrate leadership and set an example by first working cooperatively together.

  • Plan for the future

Biehl believes the district should acquire land now to build a future high school to accommodate growth in the southeastern part of the district.

  • Supports neighborhood schools

He believes that parents have every right to expect that they will be able to send their children to the high school closest to their home. All district schools must be treated equally.

  • Hard work and sensible spending

Biehl believes that with hard work and sensible spending all our district's schools can improve. He's ready to roll up his sleeves and get the job done.

  • Active in the community

Past President of the East Hills Little League and a Rotary member, Biehl has served as a Commissioner with the Ethical Campaign Project. He is past President of the Valley Ridge Homeowners Association where he currently serves as Treasurer. In addition he was formally a Board member of the American Lung Association of Santa Clara and San Benito counties, member of the Advisory Committee of the Bay Area Air Pollution Control Board and Chairman of Developmental Services for Children.

  • Attended local schools

After receiving an AA from De Anza College, Biehl transferred to San Jose State University and graduated in 1975 with a BA in Political Science. He attended Lynbrook High School in west San Jose where he was President of the senior class in 1969. Biehl is an Eagle Scout.

  • Strong business skills with a heart

Biehl is a proven senior executive experienced in P&L responsibility, marketing, sales, operations, HR, facilities, finance and administration. During his 12-year tenure as North Coast Medical's Vice-president and General Manager he set up a sheltered workshop for developmentally disabled adults and was twice awarded "Employer of the year" by Hope Rehabilitation. Biehl, sold his interest in North Coast in 1996.

  • Believes in hard work and self reliance

Since selling his business interests, Biehl's activities in community service have included serving as President and CEO of the San Jose Economic Development Corporation, later renamed Silicon Valley Economic Development (SVED). In a turnaround situation he restructured the organization, reduced administrative overhead 40%, balanced the budget and secured a $500,000 grant. While at SVED he championed a unique entrepreneurship training program that helped welfare recipients set up small service related businesses such a house cleaning, gardening or catering as a means to get off welfare and become self-sufficient.

  • Uses technology to solve problems

In 2001, as Vice President of Benetech, a Non-Profit venture combining technology with the social entrepreneurship business model, he prepared the initial business plan for http://www.bookshare.org, a website for the blind and visually impaired utilizing scanned books and automated voice technology.

  • Management Analyst

In his early career Biehl was a Management Analyst for the Sheriff's Department where he analyzed budget and operational issues for the then $50 million department. In addition to preparing and presenting statistical data he developed a plan to computerize civil processing.

  • Experienced in state and local government

Biehl worked as a Field Representative for California State Assembly member, Leona Egeland. During his tenure he drafted two bills that were signed into law. Prior to working for the State Legislature, Biehl was an Associate Management Analyst for Santa Clara County Supervisor Rod Diridon.

Prepared by: Biehl for Schools, 3640 Valley Ridge Lane, San Jose, CA 95148

biehl@comcast.net

408 223 2330

Vote for New Leadership in Education

Frank Biehl For Governing Board Member of the East Side Union High School District

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
November 2006 Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter


ca/scl Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 27, 2006 20:14
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.