What is the biggest issue facing the...

What is the biggest issue facing the school district?

The restoration of integrity and ethical behavior in the

governance activities of the board, including open discussion of

policy issues and honesty. Deceiving the public and students by

modeling deceptive and secretive behavior is simply unacceptable. To

be trusted, one must be trustworthy, and that includes governing in a

fair and open manner.

What can be done to keep test scores on the rise?

While testing and student test scores are not measured and

scrutinized at the community college level in the same manner as they

are in Kindergarten through 12th grade, students must continue to

perform at high levels in order to transfer to four-year colleges and

universities and to successfully complete in the workplace of the

21st century. To fully prepare students, we must provide peer

tutoring and support programs that match the ever changing needs of

our diverse student population.

What needs to be done to bolster the budget? What programs should

take priorities?

Ours is a donor community, which means that we pay more in taxes

than we receive in infrastructure funding from both the state and

federal governments. Trustees, as elected officials have to educate

our state and federal elected officials about the needs of our

District so that they have concrete examples when they are

negotiating to “bring our tax dollars home.” Priority must be given

for dollars in the classroom in order to prepare students for the

world of work and careers, or to enter the colleges and universities.

How can school board members better communicate with parents and

the community?

We can better communicate with all of our constituents by being

very visible on our campuses and in classrooms, by attending campus

and community events and by being accessible to meet with groups

personally and/or by telephone and e-mail. I have always had a

published telephone number and have also published my phone number

and e-mail in the voter guide, so that our community can easily

contact me at (714) 963-7114 or be e-mailing

Vote4BonnieCastrey.CCCD.2004

@earthlink.net

As a trustee in the Huntington Beach Union High School District, I

have been responsive and will continue to be responsive and

responsible to you, the electorate, if you elect me to the Coast

Community College District Board.