League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Dana Marie Bunnett Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Mountain View-Los Altos Union High 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?

As a nonprofit director I have experience developing and managing budgets. As a Board member I will use this experience to ensure the fiscal stability of the district and to provide effective stewardship of the public's dollars. I would not merely report my findings to the community, I would work to involve the community in the budget-making process. The budget process should be transparent and have strong community input, perhaps through the board hosting annual budget workshops with an invitation to the public to attend. A budget conveys the priorities and the values of the district -- reaching out to the public to request input to the budget process is one way to develop community-wide support for its goals.

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

Yes and no. The elements of the Common Core State Standards - student collaboration, linking what is learned in the classroom to the "real world", developing fluency in technology and the development of complex reasoning, problem-solving and communication are part of many, if not most of the courses taught in the district. Programs such as Middle College, AVID and FreeStyle address the diverse learning needs and styles of our student community.

While we have made progress, the achievement gap still exists in our district. I feel a sense of urgency about the students in the gap right now. We need to grow programs that help our most vulnerable students be successful. Programs such as AVID, that bring together students who will be the first in their generation go to college, have had demonstrated success. This program is successful because it focuses on relationships and rigor. Yet only those students who show "promise" are invited into this program. We need to see the promise in every student, even if they are not currently successful academically, and provide them with the opportunity that the AVID program provides.

Last, I feel we need to move from a focus on testing to one of mastery of content and skills. While, this is driven by forces beyond the district, I believe we can focus on mastery first and testing second. Testing makes us "fill the bucket" when we should really be lighting fires. The best gift we can give our students is a lifelong love of learning, grit, and curiosity. Too many of our students feel that their test scores and grades define them and too often they are burned out by the time they get to college. We need a focus in our schools that help our youth realize they are unique contributors to the world and so much more than a number.

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

Five years from now, I envision a district:
-that is financially stable and where funds are used effectively to achieve great results for all students.
-where the governing board that culturally diverse, and operates transparently and inclusively. Board meetings are well attended by the public.
-where every student, staff and family feels they are a valued member of the school community.
-where the achievement gap is gone - every student graduates ready for college and career.
-the schools are the hub of the community and students get the resources they need to be successful in learning.

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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 2, 2014 20:43
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