tee, of which I am the board's representative, has the authority to review all budgets and expenditures. They will play a key role in the expenditure of funds raised by the passage of Measure EE.
Further, the state requires that school district expenditures be audited every fiscal year. We have met the requirements set by the state in each of my 12 years on the school board. 2. If you had to choose, which extracurricular activities or sports programs would you eliminate because of budget constraints?
My guiding principles would be fairness and access. There would have to be a balance so that as many students as possible would be able to participate in extracurricular activities. 3. What is your position on separating Santa Monica High School into six smaller schools?
Santa Monica High School received a planning grant last year to study how "small learning communities" might be implemented at the high school. I have supported and will continue to support the work being done on this issue. The exact number of these units, their structure etc. is yet to bedetermined. 4. The Santa Monica Malibu school district has been accused of unfairly expelling and suspending minority students. How would you address this issue if you were on the school board?
As a member of the school board, I supported the creation of the task force we established to review this issue and make recommendations for any changes in existing policies and procedures to assure that all students are treated fairly. At the school board meeting on Oct. 17, the task force presented their first progress report to the board and community. 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?
I would prefer that only healthy foods be served on all of our campuses. We have made great efforts in that area. We must be practical as well. Most students are able to leave the high school at lunchtime. Most of them choose to buy their lunches at fast food restaurants. Serving the food on campus serves more than just the purpose of raising funds. It also helps to keep students in a safer environment and gives us oversight of the food service. 6. Why should we vote for you? What skills and experience make you a better candidate than the others?
I have demonstrated the commitment, leadership and vision required to be an effective school board member. I was a teacher for over 17 years prior to my election to the school board. As a board member for the past 12 years, I have served as president and vice president of the board as well as having served on every board committee. As the board liaison to the strategic plan design team, I played a key role in the development of that plan. The strategic design plan will be our blueprint for the next several years. Currently I am the board liaison to the financial oversight committee and its representative on the fine arts committee. I also served on the child care task force of the city of Santa Monica.
Additionally, I have served on a number of community organizations including the executive board of the Community Corporation of Santa Monica, which is charged with the responsibility of providing affordable housing and the Santa Monica Commission on the Status of Women. Finally, my masters degree in urban education and my training as a mediator by the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service give me unique qualifications for service on the school board.
Name: Brenda Gottfried. Political Affiliation: Democrat. Profession: Retired teacher. Alternative Career: School board member. Favorite CD & movie: Natalie Cole's “Ask a Woman Who Knows;” no particular movie. Have you ever been arrested? No. Have you ever declared bankruptcy or had financial insolvency issues? No. Endorsed by: Assemblymember Fran Pavley, The Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association (SMMC- TA), SEIU, Local 662 (Classified employees), The National Womens Political Caucus - Westside.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 30, 2002. Read the original PDF.