League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA February 7, 2012 Election
	Rick Raushenbush Answers Questions Candidate for Board of Education Member; City of Piedmont

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Piedmont and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. If the State makes mid-year cuts in school funding, as a school board member what would you do to balance the school budget without sacrificing the quality of Piedmont schools?

Governor Brown has released his budget proposal earlier in January than anticipated. At this time, current estimates are that mid-year cuts to PUSD will be approximately $40,000. The Piedmont Parent Clubs generously have set aside funds that will cover this amount. PUSD's educational program will be threatened if the 20% cut in State funding continues for more than another year or two, but is not threatened by the mid-year cut as currently estimated.

In spite of deep cuts from the State, through a combination of foresight, planning, and collaboration, our District has managed to not only maintain, but continue to improve, the quality of the education we provide to our children. But this has not been without sacrifices and trade-offs.

• Employees have taken painful and permanent cuts to their benefits, and temporary pay cuts in the form of furlough days;
• As a result of furlough days, students have lost school days and teachers have lost professional development;
• Piedmont voters authorized increased and emergency parcel taxes, and Parents' Clubs are contributing more directly to the District for core educational services;
• Some District programs and services have been scaled back;
• Donors and taxpayers are continuing to support the schools in order to save jobs and protect programs; and
• We have built larger operating reserves to help weather current and temporary economic uncertainties.

I greatly appreciate the sacrifices that have been made and everyone's efforts to protect the public education of our children. It is because of these efforts and actions that our District is better prepared than most to address potential mid-year cuts.

2. Recent issues in the city have created tensions and polarized the community. What would you do to foster civic engagement and dialogue if you were on the Piedmont Board of Education?

The Piedmont Board of Education will continue to provide transparent decision-making, ample opportunity for public comment on issues before the Board, opportunities for public dialogue on specific issues of interest to parents or community members, and a wide variety of existing forums for promoting parent and student engagement on school issues.

We improve our decision-making when we have an opportunity to hear divergent views on important issues, even when a decision must be made that may not necessarily please everyone. Ideally, public discourse should be civil and respectful. Depending upon the nature of the issue, there are times when the dialogue becomes more heated. I bring an analytical approach to decision-making and am not afraid to facilitate the discussion of difficult issues. I encourage parents, students, residents and other interested individuals to participate in the local democratic process.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' answers are presented as submitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: January 31, 2012 17:22
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