ACBOE can assist with OUSD becoming financially solvent by providing careful tracking of their real time expenditures and constantly comparing them with the expectations of the annual budget and making sure that there is enough transparency in the process that all of the involved parties have the same information.

One of the ways that financial burdens for Oakland can be reduced is by the County acting to facilitate partnerships between local districts to reduce costs for common materials and services that all of the districts utilize. The same principles of bulk purchasing that you use to reduce household expenses apply to services such as utility costs, health benefits, school supplies and office materials for our local school districts.

Another form of collaborative savings that can be realized is in the area of cost containment. One example of this is that all local districts, including Oakland, are continuously recruiting to replace individuals that have retired or otherwise left the local district. There are 18 district personnel offices that are duplicating these efforts to fill vacant positions. I believe that there are ways that ACBOE can explore to assist districts to recruit employees without having to perform these efforts individually.

The Alameda County Office of Education has not made academic achievement at the local district level the kind of priority it should be. In fact, there is little that the County can point to in regards to contributing to academic improvement by any local district. I believe that this must change. The most important priority for any entity involved in school reform MUST be to improve the way in which our children succeed in their schools. That they have an educational experience that allows them to recognize that education is a lifetime experience and gives them the tools to best cope with that fact.

The best way to accomplish this is for ACBOE to act as a forum for local districts to share the best, most effective practices that they each employ. I believe that this cross fertilization will increase the quality of instruction and administration in all local districts, which will result in educational and academic successes for youth county-wide.

For example, some local schools are operating successful parent involvement programs that have made their school more user friendly, thus easier for parents to support their child's education. Other local schools still struggle and are unable to attract parent support and participation in their child's learning experience. These local schools, due to a lack of parental involvement, suffer from decreased productivity, teacher frustration and lowered expectations for academic achievement. Workshops conducted by those successful in this area and attended by those who are challenged will result skills being conveyed, traded and expanded. The result will be an increase in the quality of education county-wide.

Each local district in the county, and each school within that district, have their own areas where they succeed and those where they struggle. I believe that by sitting down together, in a regular, structured environment of sharing and learning, all districts can realize dramatic improvements. This is especially true if we bring the education programs of all the local colleges and universities to the table to help both new and experienced practitioners improve their craft. In addition, we should create a link on the County web page that will provide information on the skills conveyed at these workshops, as well as any other best practices available, that could be accessible throughout the County.

In conclusion, let me commit to you that my role as your Trustee to the Alameda County Board of Education, Area Three, would be to help rebuild a strained relationship that most districts and their boards feel is adversarial. It must be a partnership supporting their efforts to improve academic achievement while maintaining fiscal solvency. My experience and familiarity with Dr. Ward and his staff, the Oakland Unified School Board, the current members and staff of the Alameda County Board of Education and most importantly, the familiarity and respect I have for the parents, teachers, administrators and activists that make up the community that is OUR home is what you need on the ACBOE. The ACBOE must be a place where our community can look to provide assistance and help. It must be an entity that will roll up it's sleeves and pitch right in beside you with the hard work that needs to be done. I would like to help make that happen. My sleeves are rolled up and I respectfully request your vote.

• Serves as the governing board for the schools and student services/programs operated by the County Superintendent of Schools (Juvenile Court/Community Schools, Infant Program and School Age Mothers Program).
• Approves policies, regulations and curriculum for the schools and educational programs operated by the County Superintendent of Schools.
• Adopts rules and regulations governing the Office of the County Superintendent of Schools.
• Approves the annual budget of the County Superintendent of Schools and sets the Superintendent's salary.
• Receives the annual audit
• Approves the purchase or lease of property for County Office programs. Acts as the County Committee on School District Organization, which reviews changes in school district boundaries and trustee areas.
• Serves as an appeal board for the adjudication of expulsion appeals, interdistrict attendance appeals, and Charter Schools.

The fiscal oversight of local districts is the sole responsibility of the Alameda County Superintendent in accordance with AB1200. ACBOE has no legal role over fiscal oversight.

The relationship between ACBOE and the State Administrator is very positive. We understand each other's role very well. However, the relationship between the ACBOE and the Oakland Board of Education (OUSD) is strained due to the lack of understanding by OUSD of the role of ACBOE; and OBOE's request of support for the use of $34 million in construction and modernization funds to lower the general fund's deficit. This proposal is illegal. The ACBOE could not support this request for support.

In order to address the lack of understanding of ACBOE's role in public education, ACBOE has started to hold its regular meetings in local districts as a way to inform communities across the County about its functions. In addition, ACBOE and OUSD are developing a plan to televise ACBOE meetings county wide. These efforts are positive steps to improving relations with local school boards.

In regards to assisting district maintain financial solvency, I have worked with the County Superintendent to establish a new system to monitor district finances using the latest technology in financial software. Additionally, I am in discussion with the County Superintendent to implement strategies to lower administrative costs in local districts. Through the budget process, ACBOE is placing a higher priority on resources for fiscal oversight.

My role as a Board Member is also as an advocate for the local schools. The most critical need for our schools is the need for additional resources in the classrooms. To this end, I have been instrumental in establishing a foundation under ACBOE to support local schools and county programs. Currently, I serve on the Board of Directors for the Alameda County Educational Partnerships Foundation. This foundation is bringing resources for arts programs, parent education, and to reduce truancy.