October 14, 2010 -- The Lookout Staff submitted questionnaires to the 23 candidates running for seats on the City Council and Board of Education. The candidates were given the same timeframe to answer the questions and were limited to 150 words per answer.

During the next several days, the Lookout News will publish the candidates’ answers verbatim. The profiles for the four-year City Council race will be published first, followed by the two-year City Council race and lastly the Board of Education race. They will appear in alphabetical order based on the candidates’ first names.

Name: Jake Wachtel
Running for: Board of Education
Status: Challenger

Why are you running for office and why should residents vote for you?
Seeing my daughter’s first grade teacher with a pink-slip because of budget cuts, being comforted by children on the last day of what had been a splendid year, told me that our schools need leadership. I’m committed to revenue-generating, careful budgeting, implementation and long-term planning that keep quality educators and programs.

I am public school educated from kindergarten through high school. I’ve taught in America and overseas. Elected Nagasaki Representative for foreign teachers, I gained global perspectives that other candidates don’t have. As CORO Fellow in Public Affairs, I worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers and California Community Foundation on textbook adoptions, school-funding and technology. I have practical experience a board member needs. I serve on Santa Monica College’s Journalism Advisory Board and Claremont McKenna’s Media Advisory Board. I’ve spent a career working with budgets, trouble-shooting, and executing ideas. Please contact me, share your thoughts and vote for me.

Do you have any children attending SMMUSD schools or who graduated from SMMUSD schools? What has your specific involvement been with the school district?
My wife and I have two daughters. Mia is a second grader. Emilia will begin kindergarten in two years.

We are members of the PTA and volunteer in our classrooms. I ran a successful SOS lemonade stand with my daughter and her friends, and of course donated to the Save Our Schools campaign. I sit on a committee that supports Y and YY, ensuring that YY monies go to our public schools as intended. I am a member of the Grant PTA By-Laws Committee and a volunteer with the Education Foundation. To advance local education on the college level, I have served on the Santa Monica College’s Journalism Advisory board since 1997.

How would you rate the current Board of Education? What particular decisions stand out for you that made you form that opinion?
While I respect our board’s public service, I offer global perspectives through teaching and developing revenue-generating plans here and abroad that other candidates don’t have. My approach will help us retain quality educators and reach out to our community effectively and inclusively. The troubled decision that stands out most for me was the budget-cut that pink-slipped dozens of fine educators in our district. Seeing my daughter’s entire first grade class comfort their fine teacher last year convinced me that I had to run. Students, teachers and parents should not witness that again. I will implement programs to generate money for the district, so we will stop deficit spending and our dependency on state funding. I will make our voices heard in Sacramento, so when leaders finally get their act together, we will receive adequate funding from the state which we will supplement with profitable fundraising programs of our own.

What would you as a member of the Board of Education do to get the District through these tough economic times?
A commission-based unsalaried director of development position should be established immediately. Directors of development have had proven success in other school districts; similar positions are standard in business and nonprofits. The director would supplement and work with the Education Foundation, an organization that proved with its SOS campaign, which I was honored to participate in, that our community cares about education. The development position has far-reaching revenue gathering potential for our district.

A robust endowment program is another immediate need and effective means of generating significant financing for our schools. Sponsorships and naming rights for facilities, which meet strict standards before approval, along with renting underutilized facilities are fundraising areas that should be explored.

I would work with city councils and the chambers of commerce in both cities to generate more revenue for our schools, and reach out to state and federal leaders as well.

How would you rate the current status of the District’s special education department? Are there still improvements that must be made?
Our district was slow to effectively address concerns of parents and their children with special needs. More work must be done with special education. My sister is a special education teacher and a resource specialist with 18 years of experience; I will want to bring people like her in for consultation. Parents, whom I’ve met, have spoken positively about the inclusion program, which is paramount for socialization and should be continued. Increased one-on-one time with resource specialists and special education teachers is critical to more effectively help our children with special needs.

The Board of Education will be selecting a person to replace Superintendent Tim Cuneo, who is retiring in June. What are the qualities you want for a new superintendent?
Our district should not be used as a stepping-stone for better employment. Superintendent turnover leads to district instability. We need someone who will be committed to our schools for many years. A proven track record of success, an ability to enlist community support, and a deep-rooted understanding of the needs of the classroom are essential for any superintendent candidate. Our next superintendent must be properly vetted to ensure that she or he brings a clear, long-term vision that makes sense for our district.

If elected, what are your ideas for closing the achievement gap in the SMMUSD?
Students benefit from strong schools throughout the district. Fostering parent-involvement in their children’s education and early-development programs are critical. After-school programs, which help with learning, should be expanded, and counselors at elementary schools are crucial. Early outreach is vital for closing the achievement gap.

What is the greatest book ever written?
Shakespeare, King Lear