I'm here.

Leroy, thanks for taking your time to answer questions tonight. What motivated you to declare your candidacy for the Simi Valley School Board?

You have children that have gone through Simi Valley schools. What are some of your best experiences as a parent with their schools? Most frustrating experiences?

As a parent of 2 children that have attended school in the SVUSD I felt compelled to get involved.

As a Board Member of two different site committee at the elementary and middle school level, I saw the frustrations and concerns of parents in Simi Valley. Our concerns were always the same. Questions and concerns, on: increasing student to teacher ratios, teacher evaluation of different levels of children’s abilities and how they will manage to teach to each child’s capabilities, loss of critical school programs, comments like, “Do you remember when our school offered classes like wood and metal shop, electronics, automotive, etc? Why don’t the schools offer these anymore?” Just to name a few concerns. I felt if not now , when?

You asked: You have children that have gone through Simi Valley schools. What are some of your best experiences as a parent with their schools? Most frustrating experiences?

Response: The teachers as a whole have been excellent. Have a child with some learning challenges really allowed me to work with some great teacher at Hillside and Mountain View. They always took the time to work with us and help us to understand some of the best methods to help our child.

However the some instructors at the high school level just seemed worn out and lack the motivation to really make a difference.

Leroy,

Some candidates want to reduce funding of local schools by cutting the fee developers pay. Their argument is that it will help the local economy. Do you want to cut the fees developers pay to the school district?

Have you been to a school board meeting? What do you think many people would be surprised to learn if they attended a school board meeting?

When we repeatly put teachers in situations where they have 30+ kids in a class and have to keep doing more with less every year it's just wrong.Our teachers deserve a greaer level of support so that burn out is not a factor.

What are your thoughts on how evolution is taught in the local schools?

Leroy,

I spoke with you in person about including more STEM programs in Simi Valley. Why are you so passionate to increase STEM programs?

Question:Some candidates want to reduce funding of local schools by cutting the fee developers pay. Their argument is that it will help the local economy. Do you want to cut the fees developers pay to the school district?
Answer:
In a time when the our schools are getting cuts in their funding I find it hard to eliminate another revenue stream. In the short term I would say no to cutting the fees developers pay to the school district.

Leroy,

Do you support changing the academic calendar so first semester for middle and high school students ends before winter break? Do you have any other ideas to efficiently manage the time the district allows for the school year?

Question:
Have you been to a school board meeting? What do you think many people would be surprised to learn if they attended a school board meeting?

Answer:
I've been to several meetings and I have always found them interesting. I am always surprised by the creative ideas presented by the members of our schools in their pursuit of making it a better place to learn.

Question:
I spoke with you in person about including more STEM programs in Simi Valley. Why are you so passionate to increase STEM programs?

Answer:
S.T.E.M. is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and STEM Schools focuses on these subjects to help our youth gain the skills required to succeed in today's challenging world. This includes the ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and drive advancements in science and technology.

I have worked in the private sector and I have seen applicants for the jobs that are still out there lacking the basic skills needed to succeed in the real world. I thought the point of an education was to prepare someone to be self reliant. I think we need to get back to the basics.

Current budget cuts seem to have tied the hands of the district and I don't expect budget pressures will ease soon. If elected, what changes do you hope to make that don't hinge on additional funding?

Question:
Do you support changing the academic calendar so first semester for middle and high school students ends before winter break? Do you have any other ideas to efficiently manage the time the district allows for the school year?

Answer :
I would support changing the academic calendar so first semester for middle and high school students ends before winter break. A new start after the winter break seems logical and I have seen the kids struggle with their focus after a long break.

How will you address the loss of Simi Valley students to other districts?

Question:
Current budget cuts seem to have tied the hands of the district and I don't expect budget pressures will ease soon. If elected, what changes do you hope to make that don't hinge on additional funding?

Answer:
I don't know at this time but I am working on it. I would rather be honest with you then give you some glib political answer.

Many children are hard to reach and often times labeled. What do you feel is the best approach to engage our children while working for positive outcomes.

I appreciate that you have first hand experience as a parent in our schools. What additional qualifications do you have that you feel will make you an effective board member and set you apart from the other candidates?

What are your thoughts on how evolution is taught in the local schools?

Question:
How will you address the loss of Simi Valley students to other districts?

Answer:
State law allows families to do this. The best way to address this exodus from our schools is to educate the parents of these children as to the many benefits of the SVUSD. I have spoken to several students at Santa Su that commute to Simi daily from the San Fernando Valley. We have to show the value we offer. We can't please everyone so I would rather focus on the children that have stayed than chase someone that does not want to be here.

How do you feel about the issue of modernizing education (e.g. use of technology in the classroom)?

Question:
I appreciate that you have first hand experience as a parent in our schools. What additional qualifications do you have that you feel will make you an effective board member and set you apart from the other candidates?

Answer:
I think that as a parent with a child in the school I can bring fresh set of eyes to the process. My platform is one of reform aimed at getting the most efficient use of the discretionary funds, so the teachers and students benefit most from how the funds are utilized. I don't believe it's the job of the Board to tell teachers how to teach, but to manage the business aspect. As a businessman I will bring a approach that it better to get things done now rather than later. Time is money and delays have hurt the children and the district.

To reduce bullying some schools have created Gay Straight Alliances. Santa Susana High School has a Gay Straight Alliance. Would you like more schools to use this approach to reduce bullying?

Thank you for your time.

Do you feel that the former D.A.R.E program was effective? Why or Why not?

Leroy,

Political parties endorse candidates in nonpartisan races if the candidates ask for the endorsement. Will you ask a political party for an endorsement?

To fund education the Governor supports a tax increase. Are you open to increasing any taxes if it will support education?