This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/alm/ for current information.
Alameda County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
Smart Voter

Improving Teacher and Staff Retention and Morale with Sound Fiscal Solutions

By Morgan Mack-Rose

Candidate for Board Member; San Leandro Unified School District

This information is provided by the candidate
Our teachers and staff are our schools' greatest asset and should be treated as such.
Last year our District was the last to settle contract negotiations with their teachers and staff. The process was unnecessarily prolonged, unhealthy, and incurred over half a million dollars in legal fees while seriously undermining teacher and staff morale. One of my highest priorities is to improve the relationship between the District leadership and the teachers and staff before the next contract negotiations begin this Spring.

I wholeheartedly support the call for an ad hoc committee of teachers, staff, administrators, and board members to identify the root causes of conflict and take appropriate action to repair relations and boost morale. I will work to revise the Superintendent's evaluation process, implementing a "360º Performance Review" model where all stake holders provide an evaluation and the Board can make more informed decisions.

State and local funding of San Leandro schools is among the lowest in Alameda County. I will work with our local and state representatives for school funding reform. However, we must also explore other avenues of funding.

I will support proven options such as a Community Education Foundation, a parcel tax, and partnering with local businesses to enhance our school funding and to ensure the continuation of important programs such as music, art, drama, and athletics.

We must make sure we are spending our limited funds in the best way possible. It is important we survey our neighboring Districts for effective cost saving measures. We must also pursue cost savings gained by possible partnerships with the City of San Leandro, such as combined purchasing power and shared use of resources.

Next Page: Position Paper 2

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
November 2008 Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter


ca/alm Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 15, 2008 20:09
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.