Alameda School Board Candidate Questionnaire Pt. 1

Posted by editor
September 10, 2008

Today, we begin our coverage of the Alameda School Board Race. Although there are five candidates running, only four returned questionnaires. The fifth, board member Janet Gibson did not respond to multiple messages.

As with the council questions, we will be presenting the original three questions this week, and then they will be posted on the School Board Election Page next week.

Today’s Board of Education Question:

What particular qualities or experiences will you bring to the school board, and how will they benefit the city and schools?

Ron Mooney:

I bring my business and education advocate experience with me, I will provide leadership, a deep belief in public education and experience advocating for schools to Alameda’s school board. Since the late 80’s I’ve been volunteering in my local communities and talking to our regional, state and federal representatives to support local public education, including starting and actively leading education foundations and working with local and regional PTAs. While the pace of change is slow, sometimes excruciatingly slow, we must continue to work for substantial change in funding of our schools. All avenues must be pressed, including a lawsuit which maybe our only real hope. I am dedicated to our public schools as I believe they are critical to maintaining our form of government as it requires a literate educated electorate – our public schools must effectively provide for all our children to that end, but also for our children to grow and explore their dreams. While I have 3 children in Alameda schools, my desire to serve is for all of Alameda … every segment of the community.

I have demonstrated my commitment to schools by volunteering and supporting teachers, staff and students to help every school in Alameda. My wife and I consistently try to step up to help our schools, not with a “This is what we demand!” approach, but rather a “how can we help?” question. With the clear direction of teachers, staff and administrators we offer our best Ts – time, talent and treasure. Doing so has given us a broad range of experiences, both successful, challenging and a few times failing, but through these experiences I continue to grow and learn.

In Emeryville I volunteered in its schools and served on the school board for over 5 years. I was a key link between our business, school and City government communities while on the Board and many years after my departure from that Board. The experience I have had in Emery greatly broaden my personal views of education, community leadership, Board / Superintendent relations, and drive to have schools that inspire hope and community pride while richly serving our students.

While on the Board, including serving as President, we focused on collaboration with teachers and student achievement and not only demanding high academic standards, but placing appropriate resources behind those expectations while being cautious fiscally. Sadly, after the departure of another Board member and myself apparently there was not enough Board oversight of the Superintendent and budget matters. Three years later it was discovered that the District had used bond funds (designated only for construction and fixed assets) on salaries and programs and over $30,000 had been spent by the Superintendent on personal items. Once the bond monies were repaid from the general fund, the District had no reserves and in fact had to borrow money from the State resulting in State administration. While the full story is detailed, sadly and proudly I was the only former Board member not only to help uncover irregularities but helped lead the discussion of retaining and restructuring the Emeryville schools and how the community could be fully engaged in the process. All of my experiences in Emeryville which I will bring to the AUSD Board, give me the experience to know how challenging being a Board member can be and that attention to detail is the Board’s job, as well as truly leading the community vision for our schools.

I have already reached out to Council members and the City and would push for even better relationships officially with the City. Finally I realize that community based organizations (i.e. Alameda Education Foundation, Boy’s and Girl’s club, Girl’s Inc …) need to be real partners with the City and Schools to help provide total support for our students and children. Today’s reality means we must work together as a community supporting parents and children so that all can succeed.

Plato said “The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life” I will work to make sure our boys and girls have the education to start them toward their dreams and aspirations.

Neil Tam:

I am a Northern California Coro Fellow and received Community Leadership trainings.  I am presently a member of the San Francisco Foundation FAITHS/Koshland Vulnerable Communities Disaster Preparedness Advisory Committee. Our focus is on building community and family resiliency by engaging community partners at the neighborhood level.  Last year I collaborated with the American Red Cross and the Koshland Foundation in providing a Disaster Prepareness Training for families living in the west end of Alameda at my school.  As a school board member I will continue to build relationships with different community organizations, non-government organizations, the city and the schools to address needs of our students and families.

Patricia “Trish” Spencer:

I have experienced in-person and in-depth the critical issues facing AUSD and am uniquely qualified to serve as a member of the Alameda Unified School District Board of Education.

My extensive background with AUSD and our community, along with my empathy for each child, are needed to face the District’s challenges.  I am prepared to tackle the quality-of-education, equity and fiscal challenges facing us and represent a broad range of interests.  I look forward to working together with our community to secure quality education for all our students.

David Forbes:

Obviously, as an incumbent, I have the benefit of knowing all that has happened at an all too intimate level.

I would point to my independence e.g. while many assumed that I was in the previous Superintendent’s ‘hip pocket’, it should be noted that it was not too long after I moved to alter his 2001 budget cuts that he announced his resignation. Separately, I challenged staff to make recent budget cuts more equitable (rather than equal).

I prepare for meetings – a low threshold, I know – by not only thoroughly reading Board packets but also by discussing issues with staff and community in advance.

I try to be proactive and look at how today’s decisions will affect tomorrow.

While I am a parent of four children in AUSD schools, I look at all my decisions through a District-wide lens rather than focusing on how decisions may affect my children or their specific schools.

Janet Gibson:

[Did not return a questionnaire}

 

 

 

AUSD, Election 2008

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