League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2004 Election
	Jeff Ota Answers Questions Candidate for Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 1

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What do you see as the role of the County Board of Education in relation to local school districts and the State Department of Education?

The role of the County Board of Education is to ensure that the quality of education for all of the students in our county meets and exceeds the level demanded by the residents of Santa Clara County and by the State Department of Education. The County Board must provide a structre that most efficiently provides services that support the local districts to achieve those two requirements.

2. What should be the role of the County Board of Education with regard to charter schools?

The County Board of Education should encourage the creation of more charter schools and advocate for stronger support of the charter schools by the home districts.

3. What changes, if any, would you recommend in the County's special education programs?

We need to actively pursue additional funding to balance the costs of special education that come as unfunded mandated requirements by the state and federal governments.