October 15, 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: Nimish Patel
Running for: Board of Education
Status: Challenger

Why are you running for office and why should residents vote for you?
We are living in unprecedented times. New challenges require new skill sets with new leaders that have the ability to think differently. I have hands on experience working with limited resources, making tough decisions and coming up with creative solutions. I started my business 10 years ago and have been through the ups and downs of an economy. I have learned that as long as you have leaders with vision and strong leadership skills you can weather any storm.

I am a product of public schools and education has always played a big part in my life. I am a former CPA, I have an MBA and law degrees, valuable skill sets that will help the School Board navigate the challenges that lie ahead. I not only want to help my children, but I have a greater calling to help the community that I love so much.

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 children who will complete all 12 years in our public schools. My daughter Priya is in 5th grade at Franklin Elementary and my son Dylan is in 6th grade at Lincoln Middle School. I have been actively involved in the Santa Monica and Malibu schools. My community and education involvement includes:

• School District Financial Oversight Committee
• SMC Bond Oversight Committee
• School Site Governance Council
• Steering Committee, Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS)
• Parcel Tax Feasibility Committee/ Measure A Campaign/S.O.S. volunteer

I have been actively engaged not just at the schools where my children attend, but District wide because I believe every child in our community should have the best education possible.

How would you rate the current Board of Education? What particular decisions stand out for you that made you form that opinion?
When times are tough, we need our board to inspire us, to unite us, and give us the confidence that they can help solve any problems that lie ahead. Instead we have greater division within our school community than ever before. There is rift between Santa Monica and Malibu and between north side schools and south side schools. Our Superintendent is resigning; in the past 5 years we will have gone through 3 superintendents. Our teacher morale is at its low and there is a high turnover in the senior administration.

My wife and I moved to Santa Monica 12 years ago because of the excellent public schools and because there was a sense of a caring community atmosphere. We need to regain this spirit and bring confidence back into our school community by electing new leaders that can unite, inspire and lead.

What would you as a member of the Board of Education do to get the District through these tough economic times?
The School Board needs to be more proactive. Over the past several years, the District’s primary focus has been on expenditure reduction which has translated into teacher layoffs and the elimination of education programs. While attention must be given to the expense side of the ledger, there appears to be limited attention given to the revenue side of the ledger.

I would immediately begin to pursue other non-tax revenue enhancements. For example I would (i) focus on community-wide fundraising and the employment of a development officer for grant writing and alumni outreach; (ii) explore naming rights and responsible and age appropriate advertising on school buildings; and (iii) start the leasing of underutilized school facilities during non-school hours to private enterprises. Based on what other school districts have done, it is estimated that our District can generate $3 to $5 million in additional annual revenue.

How would you rate the current status of the District’s special education department? Are there still improvements that must be made?
Progress has been made, but there is more the District can and should do. We continue to spend an obscene amount of money on legal fees fighting special education parents regarding services for their children. Every dollar that is paid to lawyers is one less dollar we can put to special education programming. Treating special education parents with full transparency and respect will go a long way towards improving the District’s image.

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?
I would evaluate candidates on what our district needs the most in terms of qualities (personal and professional traits) and qualifications (background and experience). We are living in unprecedented times and facing challenges that we have not encountered before. Our new Superintendent needs to be a visionary leader that can guide us through this transformation and help protect our diversity and preserve our core beliefs in academic and artistic achievement. We also need a strong collaborator who will work with our collective bargaining units, city officials, and business community with creativity and respect. Our District is at a very unique opportunity to forge a strong relationship with our City. We need a Superintendent that appreciates this opportunity and realizes the amazing potential that our schools can derive from it.

If elected, what are your ideas for closing the achievement gap in the SMMUSD?
The recent 2010 API scores show that Latino and African American as a group continue to lag behind the other groups. More disturbing is the recent setback of African American students whose average API score decreased by 7 points from the prior year. To narrow and eliminate the achievement gap, it must be addressed at preschool and K-3 grade levels where research shows we can have the most impact. We need to implement more effective intervention and remedial programs that are properly funded. We also need to find ways to increase parental involvement. Research and common sense tells us that students do better when parents participate in their education. We need to leverage technology so parents can connect and monitor the progress of their children weekly and not at the end of the school year when it’s too late.

What is the greatest book ever written?
The greatest book ever written is by Dr. Seuss called “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” It’s a children’s book that deals with life and its challenges and leaves the reader inspired. My wife gave me this book the day I graduated from law school. I hope to pass this book and its inspiration message on to my children when they graduate from high school.