League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
	Spencer Hinkle Answers Questions Candidate for Trustee; Santa Clara Unified School District; Trustee Area 3

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. 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?

The District must be in compliance with established guidelines in order to receive federal and state funds. I would review the expenditure of federal, state, and local funds with the appropriate District department manager to determine adherence to these guidelines. "Program Review" reports also would be carefully examined. The public is always invited to attend SCUSD Board Meetings to determine whether money is spent wisely and fairly. Public questions can be asked and answered at these meetings. I would report to the community through the District newsletter and through the District cable public service television channel.

2. Are the schools offering instruction appropriate to the diverse educational abilities of all the students?

I believe that the schools are offering instruction appropriate to the diverse educational abilities of all students. Students heading for college have a wide variety of "advanced placement" and upper level classes that they may take to achieve their educational goals. Students with vocational objectives may enroll in "school to career" programs tailored to meet their needs. The restaurant program at Wilcox High School is a good example of a quality "school to career" program.

3. Where do you want the District to be five years from now? What steps should the District take to get there?

I want the District to be on sound financial footing in five years. The prospect of thousands of homes to be built in the San Jose portion of our district in the near future creates financial uncertainty. The District needs to plan for and determine how to pay for the influx of these new students and work closely with the city of San Jose to solve this potential problem. High educational goals cannot continue to be met unless the District has the financial resources and the commitment of the community.

---

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

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

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

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 20, 2006 17:53
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.