Complete Q&A for The Piedmonter: December 27, 2013 edition

By Amal Smith

Full text of the responses to questions posed by The Piedmonter

This is a public safety issue that must be addressed by the Piedmont Police Department and the City Council as the School Board and City Council are separate governing bodies. That said, the School Board and Council do have opportunities to address issues of mutual concern through the City-School Liaison Committee, or the City's Public Safety Committee. This particular issue currently is being addressed by the Public Safety Committee and has the attention of Police Chief Goede who is taking the initiative to address the traffic and pedestrian concerns around our schools.

Is the district overextending itself by putting a bond measure on the ballot for Alan Harvey?

The Board has learned from the District's financial advisor that, using conservative assumptions for assessed value growth, the District has sufficient bonding capacity to fund a project of this magnitude. The Board is in the process of considering the Alan Harvey Theater project and the different bond structures to finance repairs and renovations to address safety, ADA accessibility and instructional space issues. Public input is being solicited now on all the financing options. Two additional meetings on this subject will take place on January 8 and 22, 2014. For those who cannot attend these meetings, questions and comments may be sent to Vice President Andrea Swenson at aswenson@piedmont.k12.ca.us who is the communications liaison for the Board. I urge Piedmonters to participate in the discussions. Public input informs the Board who will use the input to develop the bond proposition for the June 2014 ballot. The citizens of Piedmont will make the decision about whether to proceed with the proposed repairs and renovations.

Briefly cite why you should be elected to the school board.

I have over 24 years experience in higher education consulting and administration, the last 13 in financial management at UC Office of the President. For over 13 years, I have been part of PUSD's volunteer leadership including president and treasurer of the Piedmont Educational Foundation and Beach Parent Organization; treasurer of the Piedmont High School Parents Club; and member of the District's Budget Advisory Committee, PHS Wellness Center Advisory Board and PHS Boosters.

Through my professional and volunteer experience I have full understanding of the fiduciary, public policy, long-term vision and accountability responsibilities of serving on the School Board, as well as the necessity to work with various constituencies. I want to represent the breadth of interests in our community, with a focus on acting in the best interests of our children and their families.

What should the board's top priorities be in the new year?

Each spring the Board goes through the annual process of establishing the commitments, vision and goals for the next school year. Top priorities for the 2014-15 school year should include:

• Implement Common Core standards, including integrating technology and continuing professional development to support the implementation;
• Continue to address technology and the supporting infrastructure to provide tools to enhance to foster deep learning and develop critical thinkers;
• Continue to implement and refine educator evaluation and training; and
• Continue fiscal discipline, developing a budget that responsibly reflects the Board's priorities.

To see what the goals and action plan for 2013-14, refer to the District's website:

• 2013-14 Goals at http://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/2013-14-Commitments-Vision-Goals-Adopt-Bd-mtg-4-13-13.pdf
• 2013-14 Action Plan at http://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/2013-14-Action-Plan1.pdf

I became a candidate this fall, but I've been meeting and talking to people in the District for over 13 years. My official campaign kick-off will be January 4, 014, at 10 am at Piedmont Park. I look forward to meeting people at Mulberry's on the weekends and the casual carpools throughout the campaign period. I'll be available in front of City Hall before School Board meetings between now and Election Day. I will participate in the League of Women Voters forum on January 9, 2014, and will present to the January parents' clubs meetings. I enjoy meeting and hearing from people throughout the community, and I encourage everyone to express their thoughts, concerns and priorities by writing to me at AmalForSchoolBoard@gmail.com.

What problems if any at the elementary schools? Locked gates? After hours abuse of playfield, i.e. dogs and dog mess? Trash? Remedies?

Some of these issues come up every year. Our school facilities are a great resource and are used and enjoyed by our community for civic events and family recreation. There are already policies in place for how and when the facilities may be used. It is important that collectively we take better care of all of our public facilities as if they were our own home.

Please provide a personal comment:

I believe in excellent public schools and I am committed to using my skills to serve this community that has given my family so much for almost 16 years. I will work to continue to build an excellent and robust K-12 program, one that will leverage technology and other innovative classroom strategies to create critical thinkers who are prepared and engaged. I am committed to:

• Collaboration, cooperation and open, honest and constructive communication among members of the Board, with stakeholders and with the broader community;
• Innovation and creativity, and willingness to re-think the status quo;
• Seeking differing opinions to inform my and the Board's decisions;
• Creating a positive, respectful environment; and
• Upholding my fiduciary responsibility to the District and to the Piedmont community.