"We need to do a better job of educating the public on the great work of centralized funding and VSS. I am proposing a tour of the schools with greatest need to create a new level of awareness of the needs of our south side schools."
Oct. 1, 2014 Oscar de Ia Torre

"VSS is the largest undertaking of SMMUSD right now. Its promise is all children benefiting from very high and equal levels of resources. There is much we need to accomplish over the next four years. The future is ever more rapidly moving away from the educational dogmas of the last two centuries. The demands of the workplace have changed enormously as has the level and type of skills required. Adapting to a child-centered, 21st century teaching model will require more resources and more ethical integrity in how we treat members of our communities. The challenge for us is to create a vision of VSS as it will evolve over the next four years such that it can materially change the entire ethical, material, and pedagogical context in which learning takes place."
Oct. 1, 2014 Craig Foster

"Our district has a centralized fundraising program, in which school sites can raise funds for 'stuff' at any level, but funds for 'staff' and professional development can only be raised by the Education Foundation for use in district-wide programs. This will ensure that all students will receive the same instructional programs at all our schools.

Last year the Education Foundation raised $3.2 million, which was supplemented by $800,000 by the Board of Education, to fund the Vision for Student Success. VSS provides 30 hours per week of arts classes TK through 5th grade, trained Instructional Assistants in all elementary classrooms, Literacy coaches at all schools, increased staff support in our secondary schools for at-risk students, Professional Development for all teachers and funding for site generated Enrichment Programs at every site.

Centralized fundraising has brought our education community closer together through conversations with the Superintendent about what our educational template for all students should include and a commitment to provide parity of program and opportunity for every student."
Oct. 1, 2014 Ralph Mechur

"Yes. I believe that the District's Vision for Student Success is working and I will strongly defend it and work for its expanded success.

It will take leadership from the Board of Education and all stakeholders in the District to ensure that our vision of equity and excellence in programs and instruction is reached. Once the community is fully knowledgeable about the policy and the vision, I am certain we will see greater and greater support. I am committed to this work."
Oct. 1, 2014 Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein