Los Gatos Weekly-Times


Lynne Woodruff Bauer	Cassandra Huston	Jackie Schmidt-Posner	Lorrie Wernick

Candidates for high school board share their opinions

On Nov. 5, Los Gatos voters will cast their ballots to fill several open seats on two local school boards. In last week's issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, we presented the views of the three candidates vying for two seats on the Los Gatos Union School District Board of Trustees. Four candidates are running for two seats on the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees: Lynne Woodruff Bauer, Cassandra Huston, Jackie Schmidt-Posner and Lorrie Wernick. Today, we present their written responses to our questionnaire. They have been edited for length.

What are your qualifications to be on the school board?

Bauer: Through my 16 years of volunteer work in PTAs, PTSAs and various educational councils and special interest groups, I have earned the respect of many teachers, parents, students and administrators. As an active parent in the educational community, I have learned the importance of active, effective and accessible board members. I plan to use the knowledge and experience I have gained to work with all students.

Huston: I have 20 years of experience in local schools. I have been a teacher of both the sixth grade and special education in the Saratoga Union School District. As a volunteer, I have served on the executive boards of the PTA/PTSA and on the school site council at Saratoga, Foothill, Redwood and Saratoga High schools. I have also served on the Saratoga Education Foundation and high school district's long-range plan committees.

Schmidt-Posner: As a parent, I have been involved in my daughter's schools--volunteering in the classroom as well as serving on school site councils, PTSA and district committees. As a professional, I have been part of the Bay Area education community for more than 20 years. I hold a Ph.D. in educational administration and policy analysis and have worked with students and Santa Clara and Stanford universities as a teacher, counselor and program evaluator for several public and community programs.

Wernick: I have been involved in education for more than 20 years. I have served as a principal, vice principal, director of special education, school site safety officer, teacher, chairman of the board of Los Gatos-Saratoga Observation Nursery School, president of Lakeside Community Foundation, vice president of San Jose Chamber Music Society and a local soccer coach. I have firsthand experience and knowledge in the areas the district has chosen for its objectives this year: strategic planning, improving understanding of diversity among students, investigating funding for school facility rehabilitation and modernization, and the issue of campus security and safety.

What do you feel you can bring to the district that makes you stand out above the other candidates?

Bauer: Initially, I had to be involved in my son's school because I was told the odds of his success were slim. In seeking the most appropriate placement for him, I have gained knowledge of the components of a successful school system and have become aware of the problems many students face. I enjoy [teens'] openness, their energy and their intelligence. I am proud that I am the mother of a mainstreamed, college prep autistic student. I look forward to expanding my work with other teens and their parents.

Huston: I have participated on and organized strategic long-range plan committees. I have written and revised policies and passed balanced budgets. I have organized and served on two superintendent search committees and on a principal hiring committee. In addition to experience, I believe that the various segments of the community--parents, staff and students--should be involved in decision-making and vision-setting. I have the time to hear these people and the commitment to involve them in an exemplary school district.

Schmidt-Posner: I bring a combination of multiple perspectives, education and skills. My years of volunteer work within school environments, my career working in administrative, teaching and counseling roles with young people and my formal academic training provide me with an ideal background to provide strong, informed leadership. I seek this office because I want to serve our district and community and believe I can make a contribution to maintaining the excellence of our high schools in the future.

Wernick: With more than 20 years of direct experience in education at all levels, as well as having served on several boards and committees, I know how to work with all parties involved to create policies and make decisions that are practical, positive and effective. As the mother of three children, one each in high, middle and elementary school, this is the third of 11 consecutive years I will have a child in high school.

How can schools use technology to their best advantage?

Bauer: We must continually educate ourselves as to the most current and useful technological tools available, using our resources in a way that will benefit all students. We must encourage teachers to integrate tools into their programs through reinforcement. The process of linking schools to the Internet avails our students of ways to save time researching information and enhances the instructional process.

Huston: There should be more use of computers as teaching aids, in writing labs, in word processing, desktop publishing and other classes. It will require an aggressive search for funds and the use of experts to best utilize technology. Parents and community members are a tremendous resource in this area and a priority in the district as established in the most recent strategic long-range plan.

Schmidt-Posner: Technology is most effective when used in support of educational goals. Through research I and others have conducted on the impact of technology in education, we know that computers and other technology can be powerful learning tools and resources, but only when adequately supported (e.g. teacher training, technical assistance, availability of appropriate software) and when used to enhance the curriculum.

Wernick: Utilization of technology in our classrooms fosters collaboration and communication skills. With computers, video conferencing, multimedia authoring tools, the media and distance learning, our students have the opportunity to model and simulate real-world situations in a heads-on experiential way. The first step in using technology is to have a comprehensive technology plan. This should include equipment, software and extensive staff development.

What is your major concern about the district? What do you intend to do about it if you are elected?

Bauer: We must continue to be creative in keeping programs that are essential to our students' success. We must keep a watchful eye on the social and emotional environment of our schools at all levels, modeling for our students an attitude of respect for one another. When issues of concern arise, it is important that the board deal with them fairly and promptly. I will have the courage to set and enforce policy if it becomes clear that one is needed.

Huston: My major concern is that the needs of all students be met--challenging each student, ensuring that material is learned and meeting community expectations for test scores and college acceptance are especially difficult. There needs to be a specific plan so that no one falls through the cracks. Discussion of an academic success plan that marshals all resources should be started. Financial and philosophical commitment should be made to small class sizes. Perhaps a more creative/flexible scheduling should be studied. To afford this more personalized education, I would encourage formation of an education foundation, reconsideration of developers' fees and other ways to raise money.

Schmidt-Posner: Rather than concerns, I see challenges and opportunities. Over the next few years, the district will experience turnover in administrators and teachers. A challenge is to maintain the fiscal stability and excellence of the schools and provide the kind of solid educational foundation so valuable to our students and community, while integrating new staff, new approaches to teaching and responses to the ongoing changes in the world--technological innovation, increased diversity, global economy--that affect education. I am also interested in looking at how we might strengthen and support connections between students and the community to promote citizenship and opportunities to contribute.

Wernick: I will do all I can to assure the future success of all students in the district. As we move into the 21st century, we must make sure our students are prepared for the changing workforce and a global economy. They need to be high-level thinkers, good communicators, collaborative workers and good producers. As a board member, I will assure that our goals incorporate these skills for all of our students.

How can our high schools best deal with drug and alcohol use by the student population?

Bauer: I would suggest that education [about drug and alcohol use] extend beyond students to teachers, parents and the community through some of our more successful programs such as CASA, the Teen Center, the Teen Counseling Center and our own Health Fair. I support policy that makes it possible for school officials to exercise the authority necessary to keep the school environment as drug-free as possible.

Huston: From parent concern, there evolved health fairs, workshops and speakers at both campuses. These activities should be available to all students. Incorporation into the appropriate classes and the hiring of excellent health coordinators at Los Gatos and Saratoga would be good ideas.

Schmidt-Posner: Drug and alcohol education and attitudes begin at home; parents and families play a powerful role in setting expectations for behavior and consequences. Schools can contribute to addressing the problem through education both in the classroom and through parent- and peer-led activities outside the classroom. Providing more opportunities for students to volunteer is another strategy for providing young people with ways to make positive and productive contributions to the community.

Wernick: Education, parent support and helping students formulate meaningful goals for their future are the best ways to keep students away from drugs and alcohol. Education and support are also essential in working with students involved with alcohol and drugs. Peer programs, the teen center and CASA are all excellent systems. Students suspected to be under the influence must not be allowed to remain in school while under the influence. This includes dances, athletics and other school-sponsored events.

What maintenance and upkeep issues would you like to see addressed for the high schools?

Bauer: At LGHS, our main building, which was built in 1924 and refurbished in 1964, is certainly due for repairs, as are various other facilities on both campuses. The maintenance of our schools is an important reality, and whether the money is there or it needs to be raised, the board must consider all reasonable options.

Huston: Both high schools, because of their age, need upgrading as well as maintenance. The use of technology in the schools necessitates new wiring and other changes. Partially painted schools and administrators physically cleaning out rooms also demonstrate that maintenance is falling behind. Finances must be looked into. Specific maintenance and upkeep chores should be complied at each site and a five-year plan formulated.

Schmidt-Posner: SHS went through the WASC accreditation process last year and one of the first recommendations was that the science facilities needed upgrading. LGHS has a number of portable classrooms and needs to modernize key components such as the heating system. LGHS will go through their accreditation process next year and I would expect that facilities improvements would be high on the list of recommendations from the accreditation committee.

Wernick: The first issue is adequate space. If the reduction in class size funded for first through third grade reaches the high school, we will need adequate space for all of our classrooms as well as up-to-date science and computer labs. Heating and air-conditioning systems are an integral part of this effort. Many classrooms are poorly ventilated and do not have air conditioning. Should the financial needs be so great that the district asks the community to pass a bond or parcel tax, my energy and expertise--having worked in districts where these were highly successful--will be a great benefit.