League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Alan Baker Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Cambrian School District

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 Cambrian School District has developed and utilizes a strategic plan that provides alignment of the individual educational programs, the District expenditures, and the District budget with the District vision and goals. This vertically integrated and synergistic approach provides the ability to monitor the various funding sources and to make sure that they are being used fairly and as intended. In addition, the state now requires each school district to prepare an annual Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) that includes some of this information. This material is readily available from the District and is communicated to the public on a regular basis. The Cambrian School District also presents an annual State of the District Address that includes this information. In addition, I have made myself available for answering questions and I visit each of the school sites frequently.

I plan to continue this approach to monitoring funding sources and communicating both the positives and the challenges with the community.

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

The Cambrian School District offers instruction appropriate to the educational abilities of all the students.

1. We embrace cultural diversity and leverage it as part of the learning environment.

2. The District understands that each child is unique and learns differently. As such, we utilize different types of tools, techniques, and programs to reach each child in an effective and sometimes unique way.

3. The District recognizes that each child learns at a different rate and at a different level. We utilize various types of data tracking and differentiated instruction to identify and support the underachieving students as well as raising the bar and challenges for the higher achievers.

And finally, we are committed to educating the whole child. This includes, but is not limited to science, art, music, physical education and lifeskills in addition to the normal coursework. The middle school has an abundance of electives that allow the student to explore a variety of new challenges that are both stimulating and educational.

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

The District needs to create and maintain a flexible educational environment and appropriate programs that give each student the best opportunity to succeed. Five years from now this environment will include a new K-8 STEAM school, upgraded school sites, smaller class sizes, a fully implemented common core curriculum and a 21st century learning environment. We need to prepare the children of today for the challenges of tomorrow.

To accomplish this the District must:
- Have safe school sites,
- Reduce class sizes,
- Attract and retain the best teaching professionals,
- Be fiscally sound,
- Provide the student with 21st century skills by implementing innovative and challenging programs, and
- Provide the appropriate tools and professional development for our staff.

The District is currently in the latter stages of a five year strategic plan. The development of the next plan will will start in 2015 and include input from all the appropriate stakeholders in addressing the challenges of the next five years.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer to each question should be limited to 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 6, 2014 15:31
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