VOTERS FORUM

QUESTIONS FOR ALL CANDIDATES

1. Possibly the most important task before the new school board will be the selection of a new superintendent. What characteristics or qualifications do you think are the most important for the next superintendent to possess and explain your previous experience in high level searches.

One of the first tasks facing our board is to begin the selection process for the next permanent superintendent. This process is an opportunity to engage the community so that we can rebuild the faith and trust in our school district leadership.

The superintendent for our school district must be a strong leader who must always operate in the best interests of our students. The process of selecting this person needs to begin with conversations with the community about what is important for our students. We need to determine who we want to be as a school district as we determine who we want to lead us there. We need to engage in a process that will lead us to someone who is innovative and thoughtful; someone who understands how to execute policies that directly improve the lives of our students from an introductory to advanced level. This may include ensuring teaching and learning needs are met by exercising effective educational leadership, providing support to the school sites and supporting activities that take place outside the classroom.

The superintendent needs to operate independently but is ultimately held accountable to the school board's vision and priorities. Therefore, their relationship must be clearly defined and mutually supportive. As the district leader that links the policies and programs together throughout the entire district, the superintendent is also accountable for responsibly managing the school district's budget in a way that reflects the vision and priorities of the board and district. The superintendent needs to be a trustworthy and effective communicator and team-builder.

The superintendent needs to be someone who will inspire our community and schools to be "more" - more excited, more collaborative, more creative, more positive. Like a relationship, the bells and whistles are nice - the fancy anniversary dinner, the luxurious vacation, the sparkly gifts. But like a relationship, there is work involved that requires tending to the day-to-day tasks of communication and support, working through the hard times with underlying respect and affection. These are the qualities that guarantee a positive and supportive relationship that endures.

The task of finding a superintendent begins with understanding how that person will fit within our goals and vision for our district. There are multiple firms and consultants who work with districts in such searches. Having worked in an education research firm that conducted this type of work in the past, I am comfortable with the process required to find our next superintendent. I know the educational and leadership issues that must be prioritized with input from the community and schools.

2. Very simply, why do you want to be a school board member or continue to be a school board member and why should a community member vote for you?

I have lived in San Marino for almost a decade and my 4 children are enrolled in San Marino schools in 11^th and 6^th grades and next year, kindergarten. A lot of my perspectives as a parent have changed in the past five years. Some of this is because of changes in curriculum. With the implementation of Common Core in our schools, there has been a significant shift in how my children are learning at the K-8 level, and in some respects, in high school as well. Students are taught to think critically, to be prepared for the future.

But my perspective has also changed simply because my children are older and I recognize the pressure and demands that are placed on students at the high school level. We all believe our children can succeed but we don't always know how to help them find that success. One thing I do know is that we need to move our schools forward at all levels so that our students are critically engaged in the learning process, not just to be successful in tests or in the classroom, but so they can enjoy learning and learn how to be someone who critically interacts with and gives back to their world.

As a governing board member for San Marino schools, my first priority is to understand what our schools need in order to offer the best opportunities for our students. I will always fulfill my role as a caretaker of our schools with an eye to being financially responsible and engaged with the community through honest and open communication. I will always seek those teaching and learning practices that challenge and prepare our children for success. And I will always look to building a strong team of educators who work hard to collaborate and support each other in our goal to support our students.

We need to be wise in how we raise funds for our schools and we need to be wise in how we spend those funds. We need to study those teaching and learning practices that are proven to be effective and study how they may be adapted to fit the specific needs of all our students. We need to rebuild the culture of collaboration and teamwork in our schools so that teachers are collaborating and supporting one another to create a balanced and consistent curriculum. We need to rebuild the trust and relationships in our community so that we all remember we want the same thing for our children and community - to raise healthy and successful adults.

3. No matter the results of this election, at some point in the not too distant future, our district will need an additional bond and construction project. What skills and experience do you specifically bring that will enable this project to go well and meet the facilities needs of the district?

San Marino schools are in need of modernization, remodeling and repair to address safety and security, as well as program facility needs. However, state funds are insufficient to provide for additional facilities construction, and a General Obligation Bond may not be used for maintenance projects. Unfortunately, the extent of our facility needs are beyond our budget and the likely solution is to take on a new debt obligation bond. Admittedly, a General Obligation Bond would place a tremendous burden on our homeowners but it would be an investment in the future of our schools. By placing the GO Bond on the 2020 ballot, it could be added as a tax extension, to begin where the current bond leaves off in 2025.

The board is responsible for ensuring the bond funds are spent responsibly and wisely. Sometimes that means saying no to something we want, or asking the community to provide more resources, which they generously do. But it is ultimately our responsibility to ensure those funds are making as direct an impact as possible on our children.

Having said that, the budget details of that GO Bond must be explored with input from the community to ensure the project matches the vision and goals of our district. Simply because the maximum amount is a specific number does not mean we need to commit our community to that maximum amount. Safety and security should be the first line item in that budget. Ensuring that facilities provide a safe and comfortable learning environment is the first priority. After that, the rest of the priorities need to be explored to determine how much money should be spent on additional facilities. The vision for our schools should match the expenditures being proposed. Then the budget for each component should be developed with a realistic and honest explanation to match, and with significant community and school site input. We need to make sure we get it right so we do not run out of money before our priorities are met.

We need to ensure that the bond and facilities match the priorities of our district and the programs offered to our students to maximize their future success. My experience in program assessment and evaluation, both in the formative and summative phases, as well as my experience with fundraising and community service in San Marino will ensure that the goals of the programs match the expenditures and project lists in the bond proposal. I always look critically at every decision, keeping in mind continuity and consistency, and I pay close attention to all the details that contribute to the final product.

4. Many consider the security and safety of our students as the #1 priority of a school district and its administration. What are your thoughts on increasing security and safety in San Marino’s schools and perhaps more importantly in securing and protecting the confidentially of the knowledge and information about such security?

The schools are faced with an unprecedented attack from both external and internal forces. Externally, there are security measures in place and going into effect that will protect our students. For example, closing the campus, training personnel, securing the perimeter and increasing vigilance on campus are all actions that are currently taking place. There are more actions being explored, such as security officers, facilities upgrades and revised policies. These are all steps in the right direction. These security measures must be kept confidential and consistent with law enforcement policies to ensure the security protocols stay ahead of the threats from those who would cause us physical harm. I could say more, but then I would be exposing our security protocols to public threat. This is one area in which full disclosure to the public is not the recommended course of action.

Internal security measures also start with cultivating a positive learning and working environment. Alleviating the stress that is placed on both our students and staff is important to protect our children from harming themselves or others. This includes educating kids about making wise and others-centered decisions and giving them the opportunity to talk to others about their emotional and social health. Evaluating policies that are consistently updated and enforced to protect our children is the job of the Board. In addition, it is important to maintain a healthy working environment for our staff and faculty to make sure stress from the adults is not making an negative impact on our children. Providing our staff and faculty with the resources and support to do their job well is also the job of the Board.

5. Explain your understanding of the role of a school board member. Are you to actively search for challenges in the school community, sit as more of a judicial body and make decisions on issues that are placed before you or do you feel it is a hybrid of both?

The role of the school board is to set policy, hire and evaluate the superintendent and ensure the responsible implementation of programs in our schools, whether that means evaluating existing programs or exploring new programs. Through policy, we must set an agenda for our schools that meets the needs of our students. The board needs to guide the district in a clear vision that reflects the priorities of our community. The board needs to ensure that responsible leaders are in place to execute that vision.

There are a lot of trends in education right now and I am grateful for them. I am also grateful to the community for voicing their concerns about the challenges that need to be addressed to improve our schools. They offer us the opportunity to examine a huge range of ideas for moving our schools forward. Whether we are talking about career pathways, arts programs, science and engineering initiatives, block scheduling, late start times or homework, there are a lot of ideas. We have to be thoughtful as we deliberate these ideas to ensure that we can implement them well. We need to examine the logistical and financial practicality of these ideas, as well as the implications for personnel and impact on student health.

6. For almost two decades under multiple methods of evaluation, the San Marino Unified School District has been ranked as the top public school district in the State of California. What is your personal opinion on the need to maintain this status? Many in the real estate profession have explained a direct connect to the success of the schools and property values. Are the district’s state rankings important to you or do you feel it is time to change the focus?

When we first looked for a home to purchase, we knew we wanted to be in or near the San Gabriel Valley. We started with a list of school districts that were in safe neighborhoods and had a top-performing school district: Arcadia, La Canada, San Marino and South Pasadena. We eliminated Arcadia due to its size of 3600 students at the high school; having come from a high school comparable to that size, I knew I wanted a more personal experience for my children. The next step was to look at houses in our price range and to spend time getting to know the people that live in that community. I spent lots of time in neighborhood parks and Pottery Barn Kids on Lake Ave, talking to parents to get a sense of the different community personalities. My conclusion after two years of research was that San Marino would yield less square footage in a house, but make up for it with a huge sense of community and volunteerism. We chose San Marino for both its schools and its community spirit and I continue to appreciate both for what it has given to my family...although I wouldn't object to an additional 500 square feet!

The rankings of our schools are important for putting San Marino on the short list for places to consider to live. But the decision ultimately lies in the experience that our children and family will have once they in the schools. Safety, solid academics and strong relationships are what is most important to me for my children's educational experience. The #1 focus needs to be on preparing our children for their futures, whether that means academics and college readiness, career pathways and activities and/or mental and social health.

7. Many in the community have asked for increased access to AP and Honors courses and at the same time voiced serious concern regarding excessive homework and overall student “wellness.” Do you find these two ideas to be in conflict with one another and if not, explain how these two priorities can co-exist.

AP and Honors courses are those courses that offer a deeper examination of the subject material, and may culminate in a final assessment. They should be taken by those students who show an increased interest and experience in the subject matter for those students who are motivated to take on a more challenging learning experience. The teachers who teach these courses should be well-trained to offer appropriate curriculum and instruction. Students who demonstrate a willingness to meet the increased challenge and an ability to engage in more challenging curriculum should be given the opportunity to do so. Rigor of the coursework should not be compromised, however, simply to allow more students to participate; nor should rigor be so excessive as to create a barrier to student exploration and success. Ultimately, the access to these opportunities should be expanded for all students.

However, simply because one CAN do something does not mean they SHOULD do something. Students need to understand the consequences of taking those advanced classes, and that consequence may be student "wellness." In this case, student "wellness" pertains to the pressure that students face. There is pressure to enroll in multiple AP/Honors classes, including those that are not actually of any inherent interest to the student. There is pressure to get an "A", even if it costs you sleep, money for tutors, integrity by cheating, or causes excessive anxiety. There is pressure to be involved in extracurricular activities that leave little time left after homework. There is pressure to live up to the expectations that come from the teachers, parents and even themselves. This pressure compromises our student "wellness" and must be managed before it's too late.

The challenge ultimately lies in finding the right balance. The right balance exists for every student but is different for everyone. Parents, teachers and counselors need to help students by giving them information and strategies so they can learn how to find that balance. That may mean not taking all the AP/Honors classes or dropping an extracurricular activity for a year. Children need to learn the consequences of their decisions and work with the adults who will guide them into determining the right balance. The experience of learning how to find that balance will go with our children after they have graduated from San Marino schools and hopefully guide them into making decisions that promote a healthy lifestyle as an adult.

LIGHTNING ROUND QUESTIONS ASKED (Candidate who was asked this question at the Voters Forum)

1. In what one San Marino community member calls “the continuing evisceration of August,” the school calendar has been moved up so far that this year, meetings and practices for extracurricular activities began at the end of July. Do you believe the start of the school year should be moved back by a week or two and if not, why? (Sommers)

In the past decade, the schools have moved up the start date to accommodate many circumstances. For example, instructional time is maximized to prepare students for academic testing in May, sports and activities begin preparing for competitions and winter breaks can be true academic breaks between semesters. These reasons sometimes produce a conflict with family vacation plans or summer programs however. Ultimately, the early state date guarantees an early ending date, to which there are advantages. Students can finish San Marino summer school in July, vacations are less expensive and less crowded in early June, and days spent in school after testing are not wasted.

Does this mean that San Marino can't afford to move it back to the third week of August? Not necessarily. But like all decisions, there comes a cost that must be considered. The cost being that students end the school year later or there would have to be less breaks for our teachers and schools during the school year. In an increasingly fast-paced world, having breaks spread out through the school year gives teachers, parents, and students a much-needed respite, provided those breaks truly are stress-free (i.e., free of homework and extracurricular demands).

5. A common complaint against most public entities is a perceived lack of transparency. Do you feel the district can currently be considered “transparent” and if not, what would you do to make the board more accountable to the community? (Chon)

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride

I propose that the issue of transparency is actually about communication and accountability. There is a lack of communication between everyone in the community. There is an attitude that the district is meeting all requirements of the law and that this should be enough for the community. But meeting the bare minimum and being "in compliance" is not enough. San Marino residents did not get to this point in life by only doing what was required; they go above and beyond to have the best. The board needs to go above and beyond as well to provide our students and community with the best, not just the bare minimum.

To achieve the best, San Marino has a rich history of working together to accomplish what can not be done alone. Unfortunately, the current environment has many people working in isolation from each other and information is not shared or explained. We need to strengthen the partnerships and collaboration among the community groups and organizations. Regular joint meetings between the city council and school board is one place to start - the city already provides considerable resources to our schools with traffic safety guards, donations for transportation, and recreation department resources. But there are even more opportunities that can be explored like funding for CTE pathways at the high school or exploring joint efforts with the police department.

Collaboration between the Foundation and schools can be strengthened through a deeper understanding of how funds are used to address financial deficiencies. The Foundation meets a tremendous need in our district budget every year that would otherwise be left unfulfilled.

Partnerships with parent-focused organizations like PTA, Partnership for Awareness, the Chinese Club and boosters also meet a need in our schools by engaging parents in active participation in our children's schools, by educating parents and families on relevant and timely issues, and they also make significant financial contributions to our schools to ensure our children receive high quality programs.

7. How much community involvement do you encourage for the upcoming superintendent search? (Chang)

The selection of a superintendent must begin with determining our priorities as a community and school district. Engagement with the community to determine what we want to put our resources into is necessary as the superintendent selection process begins. Surveys, open meetings with the public (parents, students, school leaders, community), and eliciting feedback from people about our community's vision and priorities will naturally reveal the desired list of qualifications and experience. After determining the desired qualities, the school board will need to seek applications from a larger pool of the typical superintendents out there and not just from the pool of recycled superintendents in the state. Again, input through representatives of each segment of the community should be included in the process of reviewing applications, interviews and/or site visits. Ultimately, the board is responsible for the selection of the superintendent, but the Board does not operate in isolation from the community and is accountable for their decision. The community needs to also be respectful of the process by being committed to the work and respectful of everyone's time and efforts in the selection process.

8. Do you feel the school board meetings should be streamed or videotaped on the district’s website? At least one other community provides a delayed broadcast of public meetings to encourage on-site attendance. Explain your feelings about this issue. (Ryan)

I would like to see the meetings recorded and then posted afterwards. The reason I prefer this to live-streaming is because I think community members should attend and participate in the actual meetings, if they are able. The presence of actual persons in the audience creates the opportunity for actual engagement and dialogue between the board and attendees. The posting of the meeting allows the community to have access to information and keeps the Board accountable. The actual task of recording the meeting is not a factor given the ease of recording and uploading information to the district website.

9. The school board received a report from the Academics Advisory Committee that suggests that less homework be assigned to the district’s students. Do you agree that these policies should be initiated? (Ryan)

The homework policy for 10 minutes per day in grades TK-5 is reasonable and prepares the students to become accustomed to developing good study skills that lay a foundation for being an engaged student. These guidelines do assume that the 10 minutes is meaningful, appropriate and builds on the knowledge and skills that was imparted upon the student on that day or prepares the student for the day ahead. Homework in the middle school should also reinforce building consistent, active study skills and should be meaningful and related to instruction. Homework should be consistent across the subjects and teachers, and should take into account that students have multiple commitments outside of class. At the high school, the teachers of advanced courses should offer an honest evaluation of the amount of time each class takes so that students can work with their counselors to make an informed and deliberate decision. Students must accept the realistic limitations upon their time so that teachers can continue to offer an appropriately challenging curriculum. It is important to see each level builds upon itself in order to prepare the students for the next challenge. Having students prepared for the rigor or college or career after graduating from high school is an important goal that should not be compromised.

The role of the Academic Advisory Committee is to provide information and research, both as it exists in education theory in general, and how it relates specifically to San Marino students. Though the work performed is advisory only, the Board representatives should provide direction to the AAC to ensure that the committee's work is realistic in its potential for implementation. The work of the AAC should not be performed in isolation from the realities of SMUSD and its resources and priorities.

10. Voter turnout in San Marino has been extremely low in recent elections. Do you believe the board should poll its citizens to elicit the opinions of more stakeholders, base its decisions on those who speak the loudest or find another method of determining what is best for the maximum number of students and families? (Chon)

Board members are elected positions and as such, the registered voters of San Marino have a responsibility to engage in this fundamental and basic civic duty. The school board is responsible for educating the students of San Marino schools whose parents may not have a right to vote in San Marino elections. This unusual arrangement must be acknowledged and the opinions of these parents should be taken into consideration. These are their children and therefore their voice must be honored. There are many ways in which these parents make contributions to our schools through volunteering, financial contributions and promoting a positive school climate. Engaging with parents and community members in meaningful dialogue is important to find consensus and build support for our schools in order to guide decision making.

11. How much contact and authority should a school board member have with and over a school principal and other site administrators? (Gabriel)

School board members have direct authority over the superintendent. The superintendent is responsible for the managing his/her district leaders and school site leaders (i.e., principals and assistant principals). It is important for the board to understand the impact of their policies on the students, and this requires an awareness of what is actually happening on the school sites and in the classrooms. As the administrator of the schools, the board should interact with these site leaders in a way that does not undermine the school leaders' authority yet allows them to see the district's policies in action. Ultimately, everyone at the leadership level is responsible for working together as a team, to serve as different parts that contribute to the whole system. The amount of contact would depend on how deep the level of awareness needs to run which may vary issue by issue. In addition, some degree of interaction with school site leaders is required in order for the school board to properly evaluate the superintendent's performance. Understanding the impact of the superintendent's leadership is critical to ensuring policies are leading to effective implementation and a positive impact on the students.

13. Some have proposed changing the SMUSD to the block scheduling system. Please explain your stance on block scheduling. (Gabriel)

In the 2015-16 school year, the Academic Advisory Committee examined block scheduling in high school and came to the conclusion that it would not work as an effective schedule. The major reasons were that block scheduling would necessitate an extensive and transformational change to instruction; and, certain activities like athletics and speech and debate would find themselves very far behind in classes due to regular absences related to these activities. The Common Core standards were also being implemented during this time to further complicate matters.

Having not been a part of the AAC study, I can not attest to the validity of these conclusions. However, if the implementation of CCSS since 2016 or if new programming lends itself to the possibility of a different conclusion, I would be open to exploring the topic again. The two main issues that I am concerned about is the transformative nature of instruction and the impact of the block schedule on student athletics and activities. Creative solutions would be needed to address these issues, as well as a conversations with the community about priorities.

14. Mindful of recent partnerships with The Huntington Library and Caltech, what are your projections and ideas regarding associations with colleges, universities and research institutions? (Killackey)

There is an entire world outside of San Marino that our children should be exposed to in positive ways. I would like for the district to give our students more opportunities in the form of college courses or community internships in the San Gabriel Valley so students can begin exploring options for their future. We should also tap into the resources of our own alumni network and promote the work of our students to others so that San Marino students can start making an impact on the world even now as high school students. The Internet and its vast resources offer students the opportunity to connect with other individuals interested in the same topics. This type of networking gives our students the opportunity to broaden their horizons. Guiding our students to interact with others for positive change is something that we need to teach our children.

17. Considering the very real and increasing academic pressures our students face from parents, school, grades, and testing, what would you suggest as some additional policies, perhaps similar to the no homework during holidays policy, that the board could consider and/or enact to address this increasing academic pressure? (Chang)

Educating the community about the effects of pressure on students is the first place we need to start. There are many assumptions being made about the source of pressure, but for every student, the source of pressure may be different. It is not simply a matter of reducing homework time, or telling parents to reduce pressure on their kids, or even creating "safe spaces" on campus. It is a combination of all these efforts together that will ultimately make an impact on our children. There is a need to educate parents about the trajectory of education in San Marino so that parents are not relying on rumors. There is a need to educate students about the value of being a kind person and not just an "A+ student." There is a need to educate teachers about the stress that students experience with a demanding academic and extracurricular schedule. Communicating with each other through various parent, teacher and community forums is a good place to start so that everyone can be on the same page and then examining the policies in place to ensure consistency and accountability is key to begin the work of addressing the issues of stress and anxiety in our student population.

20. Would you favor the inclusion of foreign language education in the elementary grades? (Killackey)

Foreign language at a young age is a valuable resource. However, in the face of increasing demands on curriculum, the question that must be asked is, "Where is the time and financial resources for language education?" In order to teach a language, there needs to be a regular commitment of time given to the work, as well as meaningful instruction. Common Core standards have challenged teachers to instruct in ways that take more time so that students can engage in more critical thinking skills. The lack of free time is a real issue that teachers must deal with already as they struggle to find time for science and music. Additionally, there needs to be a trained teacher to teach the language, which requires additional funding. Adding a new program that is not implemented thoughtfully or is not high-quality would be an irresponsible use of resources. The issue of determining priorities as a school is again the question posed to the community in making this decision.

23. Do you and other voters in your family support the district’s parcel tax election in February? (Chon)

I fully support the passage of the parcel tax. Due to state funding formulas and the small size of our district, our schools do not receive an adequate amount of funds to provide everything we want for our children. Through the generosity of the community in the form of taxes and donations, however, we are able to hire more personnel for teaching, enrichment programs, athletic and performance opportunities and many high quality facilities. The parcel tax helps to fill a gap in state and federal funding by providing for 14 salary positions that enhance my children's education. Without it, the schools would have to make cuts to teacher positions that could lead to an increase in class size or compromise a high-quality educational experience.

That being said, the district should not take those funds for granted, nor should they see it as an excuse to engage in spending that is wasteful or irresponsible. The Board needs to remember they are stewards of money that is not their own and should exercise restraint when spending it.

25. Do you personally and/or as a family currently support to the San Marino Schools Foundation? If the answer is yes, explain how you support the mission of the foundation. If the answer is no, please explain why you do not support the foundation. (Sommers)

We have consistently donated to the Foundation at the levels requested of our family since our children enrolled in San Marino schools. We have seen the amount rise over the years in response to the decreased level of state funds and the increased demand on our district budget. The Foundation has been a constant partner with the district to meet a tremendous need and allows our district to enjoy more programs and opportunities than other districts without the same financial resources. Our family has personally benefitted from the generosity of the community.

The principles of giving to the Foundation are the same principles that drive the current crowd-sourcing models of fundraising online. Kickstarter and GoFundMe campaigns raise millions of dollars for projects because people donate what they can afford out of faith in the product or project goal. This type of crowd-sourcing campaign is how the Foundation consistently raises millions of dollars every year for our children. Just like a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $20,000 from contributions from 483 people, so the Foundation raises millions of dollars every year for San Marino schools. It is not the amount that each family gives, but the fact that every family gives anything at all that ultimately makes a difference.

26. What specific challenges is the district facing over the next 3-5 years and how would you address these challenges if elected? (Ryan)

Education has changed in the last five years. I can see it in the difference between my sons' education at Carver and my daughter's education five years later. With the implementation of Common Core, the redesign of the SAT, the changes in college admissions, and the rise of elite extracurricular activities, students are expected to do more than ever before. To meet those demands, schools are being called to provide more to enrich student experiences. This trend will continue in the next 3-5 years and SMUSD must be willing to meet that challenge and examine what needs to change to address it.

Schools must also address the challenges of student safety, both in terms of student wellness and physical safety, topics which I have addressed already here.

Also, schools will need to look at how they are engaging students to be active participants in their own education. Students are being taught to think critically and at some point, that critical analyses will point its way towards the education our schools are providing. Our schools need to be ready to take on that challenge in a way that empowers the students, honors the teachers, and respects the parents.

27. What in your view makes teaching and learning impactful? (Chang)

It is important for the school board to always keep in mind how programs are making a direct impact on our children. Whether we are talking about curriculum and instruction, school activities outside of the classroom or the impact of school on life outside of the classroom, we need to be mindful of how our policies are supporting the school sites, leaders and others to determine what works best for our students and give them the tools and resources they need to unleash everyone's potential. The idea of unleashing potential doesn't just apply to our children, although that is the obvious goal here. What I am talking about is unleashing the potential within everyone so we can all be actively engaged in the process of ensuring a "San Marino education" is making a positive impact on the students. That means doing some work by taking a long hard look at what everyone is doing, from the students to the parents, teachers to the staff, district leaders and principals, and even the board. We need to look critically at what everyone's job is and how we are getting the job done so that the adults are passionate about educating our students. In the same way, our children can be inspired to find their own passion.

We also need to refine our systems in place to ensure consistency and opportunity for everyone. Teachers need to be supported in their job so they can focus on the students. That means giving them high quality training and professional development, as well as support for when they are struggling. Our site leaders need to be able to rely on each other so they can focus on meeting goals and not be distracted. Students need to be able to have what they need to be successful in class, to face challenges without the fear of failure, to find support when they need help, and to have time to explore who they are before they become adults.

29. What is your view of students having a voice in decision-making and planning at the board level? (Barberie)

The students need to be involved in the decision-making process in different ways at each level. At the elementary and middle school level, assessing how students respond to instruction and their interactions with adults and students inform the impact of policies. Conversations that focus on how students feel about their experience is a valuable tool that shouldn't be discounted simply because of age. At the high school level, this tool becomes even more powerful as we start to teach our children to become their own advocates for educational success and fulfillment in life. We need to guide them in this process so they can see that their voice has power. A great example of this is the Wellness Initiative. It all started with one student's candid comments to the Board about the high degree of stress that students are facing. Two years later, those comments have given way to an abundance of conversations, initiatives and programs that address student wellness.

30. Would you be in favor of the addition of “Pre-Kindergarten” classes to the elementary schools?

Pre-Kindergarten classes are not offered through state funding. As a public school, our district is responsible for providing education with funding that comes from the state. Gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom is expected to win and one of his education goals is universal preschool. If and when the state offers funding for a Pre-K program, at that point, the district should look into how a program like that would fit within the needs and resources of our community. Again, the issue of ensuring a high-quality program with a comprehensive implementation plan is important.

32. There have been calls for the district to be more transparent, yet there were claims that the district was TOO transparent when handling a recent investigation. Given the Brown Act and other laws, what specific suggestions do you have as to how the board can strike an appropriate balance? (Killackey)

In accordance with the legal requirements and application of the Brown Act, comments given at the board meetings that relate to the agenda could be addressed since the board should already be adequately prepared to discuss the topic. Discussion items that are properly incorporated into the agenda according to Brown Act requirements should include input from the community as that is the very purpose of listing the information prior to the meeting in the first place. Comments not on the agenda, however, should not be responded to until the board has had a chance to examine the matter thoroughly and understand all the circumstances. It is just as dangerous to ignore an issue as it is to give erroneous information in response. I think a more productive method of addressing concerns not on the agenda could include inviting more detailed comments to be provided by the complainant prior to the meeting to allow for the matter to be properly researched and responded to in an appropriate manner. Response to the comments may then be given in a later public or private meeting if the complainant so chooses.

If there are matters that relate to the community at large, the possibility of scheduling an open forum should be explored to allow as many people to participate in the conversation as possible. [See my Facebook site for an example of how the board may increase engagement and transparency with the community @ https://www.facebook.com/JaneChon4SMUSD/videos/151786882433691/]. Other ways to engage the public though technology should also be explored, for example, updating the website to invite more comprehensive feedback or scheduling live online forums. Regular "open office hours" (similar to the regularly-scheduled coffees that our school principals have with parents) with the public for board members and district staff would be a welcome invitation for the public to share their comments and solicit more input from the community. All of these ideas take time and effort for everyone but could prove to be very informative for all participants.

42. Please describe your experience and/or expertise regarding the legal and regulatory requirements as applicable to the District and the Board.(Sommers)

As a new member of the board and one who is accountable to laws regarding elected official and public business, I look forward to participating in training and networking with other board members in California. I recognize there is a lot to learn and am eager to learn it. I think it is important to take the legal requirements seriously as they ensure the integrity of the process. As an elected public servant, I am accountable to the people and to the law that gives me the power to make decisions with the governing team.

As a candidate, I have striven to run for office in the same way that I plan to operate as a board member. I make myself accessible to the public. I have a budget which is clearly shared here on my website to demonstrate full transparency and accountability. I am honest and open about my intentions and goals. I rely on the expertise of others as part of a team to meet shared goals.

50. To whom is the school board most accountable and why? Possible answers could include “the entire community,” “students,” “families” or “faculty.” (Gabriel)

The school board exists serve the students through policies and ensuring effective leadership (i.e., superintendent). The students are taught by faculty and staff who need to have policies in place that support teaching and learning. The families of students must be seen as partners in the well-rounded development of our children. The community supports the efforts of our schools and, in turn, the community benefits by having strong property values. There is a connectedness that exists between all these stakeholders and it is only through collaboration of all these stakeholders that the school board is able to operate in the best interests of San Marino students.

55. What aspect of the SMUSD would you change or eliminate if you could “wave the magic wand?” (Barberie)

If I could wave a magic wand, I would want wisdom for our board to know how to use the resources we have and how to collaborate effectively and respectfully.