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- How important do you believe excellent public schools, early-childhood and lifelong learning programs are for our community? Give specific examples.
Our community stands out as one of the most literate and well educated in Southern California. Our commitment to our public schools is critical to maintaining our quality of life and more importantly, to fulfilling our shared value of equal opportunity to all. Still, our community is affected by influences we do not control. As a result, it is key that we create a community of lifelong learners, who can adapt to a changing society and enrich our lives with new lessons.
A steady stream of research is proving that early childhood education is a critical indicator of success. Our children deserve every opportunity to succeed. We must support the full-range of learning opportunities for our children.
Two years ago, my wife and I witnessed a shooting 25 feet in front of our condo. She was pregnant at the time. It is hard to understate the psychological impact that can have on a community. Most notable about the experience, however, is that the victim and assailants were only kids – 14, 15 years old. These kids need constructive opportunities for their energy, such as those provided in after school programs and lifelong learning.
It is the role of public education to give opportunity to the children of low income families. As Horace Mann said, ÒEducation, then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of man, - the balance-wheel of the social machinery.Ó
- To what degree do you feel that protecting adequate funding for our school district, its programs, early-childhood education and after school programs is a community responsibility? Please elaborate.
Funding our school district, its programs, early-childhood education and after school programs is the responsibility of every member of our community because we all benefit from the success of our youth. There is no more obvious example of this than the above shooting, which would not occur if our kids were given opportunities for constructive activities.
- What priority would you attach to ensuring adequate funding for our schools, after-school programs, and early childhood education in development of the city budget?
Nothing in our community will work without successful schools, after-school programs, and early childhood education. It deserves the highest priority.
- Are you familiar with and do you fully support the agreement negotiated for the City for the agreement negotiated for the City to provide funding to the School District?Ó What was your role, if any, in crafting or passing this agreement?
I am familiar with the agreement and believe that it has provided critical funding to the school district. As a Planning Commissioner, I did not have a role in crafting the agreement. As a new parent, however, I was eager for the success of CEPS in its advocacy with the City.
- In the upcoming January 2007 City-School District contract discussions, do you intend to support the maximum $1 million-dollar increase indicated in agreement, provided that city revenue benchmark increases have been reached? Under what circumstances would you not be willing to do so?
I intend to support the maximum increase, but in fairness to the public at large and the democratic system, I would always like to reserve my final position on contractual and permitting issues specifically so that all interested persons have an opportunity to provide their comments and be considered in a public hearing. The democratic process is rendered meaningless if public officials stake out their positions and votes on matters ahead of the hearing process.
- If the SMMUSD faced a budget crisis brought on by circumstances outside the District's control, such as by funding cuts from the State of California, would you be willing to support crisis funding to the District even beyond the City-School District funding agreement?
I would be willing to make the case for crisis funding to the District in such an event.
- Please provide specific examples of how you have supported the district and the education of our youth?
I have been a member of the Santa Monica College General Advisory Board for about five years. I have worked on pro-bono projects for the Broad Foundation to increase the best understanding of school district governance. I support environmental education programs for youth through my work at Environment Now. I have also participated in career days and other speaking opportunities for middle and high school students.
I have also supported my wife and her work, at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, a company that provides one-to-one therapy for children with autism. She has also founded Autism Care and Treatment Today (ACT Today), an organization that funds early intervention and treatment of autism for youth who cannot afford the best services without community support.
- How have you shown leadership to ensure adequate city funding for our schools?
I have consistently vocalized my support for strong funding of our schools and interest in the success of the District. I have worked with Edison PTA members and School Board members to ensure that our local school is safe and well-funded.
- As a council member, what kind of leadership will you show to address school funding?
I will make certain that the new city manager and new superintendent are meeting regularly and evaluating the financial position of the City and District. I will visit the schools and identify the on-the-ground results of our funding challenges, so that I can clearly communicate the need to everyone in our community.
- Do you endorse Measure BB, the Santa Monica-Malibu School Safety and Repair (Bond) Measure on the November 7, 2006 ballot and will you actively campaign for its passage?
YES – I have for many years felt insulted that our community provides beautiful office buildings and homes, but the most abominable buildings for our schools. The state of disrepair of our schools is a cause for shame, as Jonathan Kozol pointed out to me more than a decade ago with his book Savage Inequalities. It is a sorry representation of our society's values.
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