ensure that district officials manage the money responsibly. To begin with, the revenues raised from Measure EE can only be used for 11 specific purposes. In addition, the revenues will be deposited into a separate account and will be spent according to an expenditure plan that will have input from the Citizens’ Financial Oversight Committee. I plan to offer accessible representation to parents, students, faculty and the community and inform key stakeholders of any major decision that impacts the quality of our educational program.
If Measure EE fails to receive the approval of voters, we need to creatively seek alternative funding sources. In 1998 I worked with other leaders to attain more city funding for violence prevention and after school programs for youth. As the founder of the Pico Youth & Family Center, I have experience in attaining funding through grants.
We need to create partnerships with local social service agencies and our colleges and universities to offer support to students and teachers without the need for new expenditures. For example, I worked to create a tutoring program at Santa Monica High School and at John Adams Middle School with very little financial support from the district. On the school board, I will continue to seek creative ways to support service-learning through strategic partnerships between our local schools, universities and businesses. 2. If you had to choose, which extra curricular activities or sports programs would you eliminate because of budget constraints?
Instead of cutting vital services and programs, I would challenge the community to find alternative funding sources. If Measure EE fails to pass, I would ensure that cuts are made as far away from the classroom as possible. I earned the endorsement of the Santa Monica Malibu Classroom Teachers Association because of my commitment to supporting the learning that occurs in the classroom. 3. What is your position on separating Santa Monica High School into six smaller schools?
The goal should be to reduce class size and increase parental involvement. If this can be accomplished by dividing Samohi into six smaller learning units, then I am in support of this. In addition, we need to compensate teachers so that they can develop their curriculum collaboratively. We need to increase communication within departments and between elementary, middle and high school educators. We need to close the achievement gap and raise standards for ALL students. 4. The Santa Monica Malibu school district has been accused of unfairly expelling and suspending students that are minorities. How would you address this issue if you were on the school board?
As the co-chair of the SMMUSD Task Force on Race and Discipline, I am proud of the work we accomplished this past summer. As a result of our work, parents will be involved in all major disciplinary procedures and they will be given thorough information regarding their rights and responsibilities. On the other hand, our schools are not immune from problems that plague us as a society. My commitment is to create an institutional culture that teaches respect for difference, cultural awareness, and has HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL STUDENTS. More than teach a rigorous curriculum, we need to teach our students to be informed and ethical leaders. 5. The district recently signed contracts with several fast food restaurants for thousands of dollars that will help fund various programs, including sports. Do you support fast food being served to students at the high school?
We should attempt to provide our students with healthy snacks. According to the 2002 Fitgram Assessment, many children of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District fall short in meeting state standards in nutrition and physical fitness. We should be concerned with the findings of this assessment. The health of our children should be as or more important than their education. Currently we are implementing a pilot program to improve nutrition and fitness at Webster Elementary School, John Muir, SMASH and Lincoln Middle School. Some of the ideas to be implemented include: Decrease in unhealthy foods sold on campus, training for teachers on the negative effects of unhealthy food, fresh fruits and vegetables will be made available at all locations where foods are sold. I am in support of the reforms mentioned above. 6. Why should we vote for you? What skills and experience make you a better candidate than the others?
I am the only candidate that attended Santa Monica schools and worked with students at Santa Monica High School. I have a masters degree in public administration. My research in graduate school focused on higher education policy. Currently, I am the founder and director of the Pico Youth & Family Center, where I provide counseling, tutoring, computer training and music training for youth in the community. The district needs effective leaders who have a close connection to our schools. I have a proven track record of leadership in advocating for our schools and students. As a visionary leader, I will work to make SMMUSD a model district for California and the nation by making higher education a priority and ensuring that the connection between families, schools and the community is seamless.
Name: Oscar de la Torre. Political affiliation: Democrat. Profession: Youth Center Director. Alternative career: A teacher. Favorite CD and movie: Bob Marley’s Greatest Hits and “When Harry Met Sally.” Favorite thing about living here: My family, the beach, the mountains, the people who struggle for social justice. Have you ever been arrested? No. Have you ever declared bankruptcy or had financial insolvency issues? No. Endorsed by: Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association; Santa Monicans’ for Renters Rights; Coalition to Protect the Living Wage, SEIU Local 660; Malibu Democratic Club, Santa Monica Mothers for Justice, Hon. Maria Leon Vazquez, SMMUSD Board of Education, Dr. Larry George, Dr. Michele Wittig, Neil Carrey, Hon. Pam Brady.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 30, 2002. Read the original PDF.