Name: P.J. Karnaze

Status: Incumbent

As a school board trustee, what plan of action would you advocate to help close the achievement gap among students in the district?

The good news is that we've already implemented a plan that has effectively narrowed the achievement gap. First, our teachers keenly identify the first signs of students falling behind and implement improvement strategies in the classroom. We also have lunchtime, recess and afterschool programs to get students back on track. Equally as important are the weekly performance updates and regular progress reports to parents, which empower them to make a difference long before grade cards come out.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposes to decrease Proposition 98's current-year funding level for schools and community colleges by $400 million - $360 million for K-12 schools and $40 million for community colleges - according to the California Department of Education Web site. The governor's budget proposes to suspend the Proposition 98 guarantee in 2008-09, and proposes a spending level of $55.6 billion, which is $4 billion less than the guarantee. How, as an ACUSD trustee, will you help create a balanced budget? Are there specific programs that you believe should remain intact regardless of the proposed budget? If so, what are they and why are they important?

Our first priority is to ensure the cuts have as little direct impact on student learning as possible. Obviously, the state-mandated core curriculum is critical to helping our students learn what they are being held accountable for. Additionally, I think career technical, college prep, special education, GATE and advanced placement are essential programs in preparing our students for the next step in their lives once they leave high school.

How will your presence on the Amador County Unified School District Board of Trustees contribute to the "Year of Education" this school year? What are your plans/ goals for your successive years as a trustee?

The greatest thing that the rest of the board and I will accomplish this year is to provide the superintendent and district the guidance and direction needed to continue improving our educational excellence in light of this profound budget crisis. The board and new Superintendent Dick Glock established a strategy and goals upon his arrival, which is our azimuth for the future. These goals include improving accountability, maintenance and communication, and strengthening our supportive and positive organizational climate.