Meet the School Board Candidates

Constance Tillotson

Oct. 16 -- They all want to see students achieve under a system that provides equal opportunity for everyone. They all support Prop EE, which would increase the parcel tax by $300 a year for twelve years to help fund the schools. And they all believe education is the cornerstone of a healthy community.

So what sets the six candidates for four School Board seats apart? The League of Woman Voters of Santa Monica and CityTV gave the candidates on the November 5 ballot a chance to discuss their positions on key issues and share their visions for the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District. Each candidate had 60 seconds to respond to each of three questions. There was no exchange between the candidates.

Following is a summary of the candidate's views and qualifications:

Emily Bloomfield: "I'm running because I believe high-quality education is the cornerstone of a fair opportunity society." The mother of three children, Bloomfield served on the PTA executive board and has done "extensive volunteering" in the school district and the African American family support group. Bloomfield was a member of the Strategic Planning Design team that created the current strategic plan for the school district. Serving on the board, Bloomfield said, would be a "very effective way to oversee the implementation of the plan."

Bloomfield said she "was embarrassed that in a state like ours, which is so wealthy, that (art) is viewed as an option that can be cut." If elected, Bloomfield said, her "responsibility is to maintain excellent relations with other members of the board." She said she "believes every child can learn" and that she has a "strong respect and admiration for teachers." Bloomfield wants to "support what they do day in and day out in helping every child to succeed." Like the other candidates, she supports Prop EE.

Julia Brownley (incumbent): The current School Board president, Brownley has served on the board for eight years and is the "proud parent" of two children who attended Santa Monica Schools. She is seeking reelection because she is "committed to making a model school district in the state of California" and "even in the country." Brownley said she looks forward to "every child" having "equal opportunity" and achievement at "extraordinary levels." She wants every child's school years to be "so rich and so connected it will be a life changing experience." "Excellent schools," she said, "makes for an excellent community."

Brownley sees the board as a collaborative effort. "I can make a promise to work closely with my board members to come to the best decisions possible." A proponent of Prop EE, Brownly said the parcel tax is a smart investment for all homeowners because "good schools make for good communities," which would make the "values of their homes go up as well." She strives to "close the achievement gap to beat educational odds where privileged and poor stand side by side."

Ann Cochran: A product of the Santa Monica/Malibu unified school district and a renter for more than 57 years, Cochran said she is "extremely active in civic and school-based organizations." She served as president of the Virginia Avenue Park Advisory Board and of the African American student/parent support group. "As a product of the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School district, a parent, and a volunteer, I feel my unique experience has prepared me" to serve on the board, Cochran said.

Her "knowledge of the schools," she said, could make her the "voice of the young people, their concerns, their fears, as well as (the voice of) their parents." She said she can use this advantage to help "build a bridge" between the district and the community. Cochran supports art programs in schools because they "give our children a way to express themselves" and can open the door to "something they may want to carry through and major in." In an effort to increase district funds, the district should continue the "current budget the school board has in place now" and go outside to "the private sector to try to get funding."

Oscar de la Torre: A "proud product" of the district, de la Torre "believes education is the most effective tool to reconcile social and economic inequality." He is founder and director of the Pico Youth and Family Center and co-chair of the Task Force on Race and Discipline, as well as of the Committee for Equity and Equality in Education. "Education is the most important investment we can make as tax payers," de la Torre said. Prop EE, he said, would benefit everyone in the community because of the "correlation between lack of education and rising crime."

De la Torre said he is an "advocate for teachers" and "supports staff in schools," noting that they are "the people on the front line of education." He sees being a board member as "being part of a team." And that team, he said, has the responsibility for setting the "vision for the district." He said that those who are elected are "accountable to the voters." Although he has the backing of the Santa Monica Malibu Classroom/Teachers Association, de la Torre said he is most proud of his endorsement by the students.

Brenda Gottfried (incumbent): A former president and vice president of the board, Gottfried said she is "totally re-energized by what is happening in the district." She hopes to be re-elected so that she can help implement the recommendations of the Strategic Design Team, to which she has served as a liaison. She wants to "commit to full implementation" of that plan, she said. Her "leadership and commitment to the district," Gottfried said, makes her "uniquely qualified to be re-elected."

The approval of Prop EE, Gottfried said, would send "a strong message to the students in this district that we care about delivering a quality education to each and every one of them." She said that for homeowners "it is a small investment in the most important value we have in this community. And that's education." One of her main jobs as a board member, Gottfried said, is to hire the "superintendent and also be the direct advisor of the superintendent." She said that "hiring the right person, which we've done three times while I have been on the board," helps the entire board to "work for all children." A "stanch supporter of the arts," Gottfried sees art as a way to "promote social diversity."

Shane McCloud: The "only active k-12 teacher running for the board," McCloud said that the "future of the cities depends on the success of our schools." McCloud believes there is a "clear relationship" between the "quality of our education system and the quality of the lives of our citizens." He has taught at an elementary school in South Central for six years. If elected, he plans to continue to teach and "stay rooted to the need of the students." McCloud wants to see reduced class size as well as "parent involvement," noting that "specialized attention can make a difference in someone's overall performance."

McCloud said that he has "met with every principal in the district" and has attended a PTA meeting in every school. He said his love for education started "in the 6th grade" when through the guidance of a special teacher "a light came on." The experience gave him inner "confidence" that allowed him to have an "active engagement in education" and "enjoy every minute of it." Besides the passage of Prop EE, he wants to see both the Cities of Santa Monica and Malibu increase contributions to the school district. "Santa Monica gives $3 million of it's $367 million… Malibu give $25,000 dollars of its $19 million."

Following is a list of the questions asked: