League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 1

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 Experience, Special Education, Board's Role Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What experience and training would you bring to this office? Answer from Ellen Santiago: I have my master's degree in accounting, I am a certified teacher, I have a background in technology, and I have a solid understanding of our educational system. I believe I have the right combination of skills and knowledge to succeed in this position. Answer from Grace H. Mah: As the incumbent Santa Clara County School Board Member for Trustee Area 1, I have attended school board meetings for Sunnyvale School District, Mountain View Whisman School District, Palo Alto Unified School District, and Mountain View Los Alto High School District. I have met all four superintendents of these school district. For the 27,000 students which are in the County Office of Education's schools and sites, I have been a member of the preschool Head Start Policy Committee, visited special education schools for the severely disabled and juvenile correctional facilities for our incarcerated youth. My work on the board included trainings and conferences: California School Board Association Legislative Action Conference, in Sacramento, lobbying with our state legislators and advocating for Santa Clara County education issues (and a state budget!) Celebrating Educational Opportunities for Hispanic Students Conference, where I learned of best practices in other county offices of education about outreach programs for the needs of the fastest growing segment of our student population, Hispanic youth. And more... I have over 18 years experience in customer-focused high tech problem solving, financial budgeting, and contract negotiations. 2. What changes, if any, would you recommend in the County's special education programs? Answer from Ellen Santiago: Special education programs need to meet the needs of the students who need extra help and the programs need to be in compliance with IDEA, so all students have the opportunity to learn. Answer from Grace H. Mah: The County's Special Education Department operates special day classrooms at 98 school sites throughout Santa Clara County, providing services for infants, children, and youth with severe and low incidence disabilities from birth to 22 years of age. These children live at home, in licensed children's institutions or at the local state hospital, and are served more effectively by the comprehensive programs offered by the Santa Clara County Office of Education. The state and federal mandates for special education imposed on the County Office of Education and local school districts are unfunded. The encroachment on operating general funds is constantly undermining the priorities and budgeting strategies for school districts. Special education financing needs to be reformed. See the "Getting Down to Facts" recommendation study on Special Education: http://www.edsource.org/assets/files/gdtf/GDTF_Harr.pdf 3. What should be the role of the County Board of Education with regard to charter schools? Answer from Grace H. Mah: The County Board of Education hears appeals on charter schools which have been denied by their local school district. If an appeal is granted the County Office of Education becomes the authorizer for the charter school and has oversight for the school's financing and operation. Answer from Ellen Santiago: Charter schools need to be appropriate for the community and they need to enhance the learning of all of the students. The board should facilitate the needs of the district. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.