Santa Clara County Voter's Guide On Children's Issues

Santa Clara Unified School District Governing Board, Trustee Area #3

Vickie Fairchild

https://www.vickefairchild.education

1. EVERY CHILD MATTERS We need to ensure that we try to meet the needs of ALL children and help them achieve their individual potential. 2. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY Let’s put money where it matters most – the classroom. 3. LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY We must ask for and listen to feedback from parents and staff and respond appropriately to concerns.

  1. In a recent poll by Choose Children 2022 of likely general election voters, more than half of parents with children under age 18 say they are likely to move out of the Bay Area in the next few years. What do you think are the top three issues affecting our children and families and how will you make our region a place where all families can thrive?

    1. Lack of affordable and subsidized housing
    2. Insufficient number of spots in school anchored childcare
    3. Ability to work in another state and get bay area salaries

    As a board, we have started discussing how to increase the number of spots in after school childcare programs. One of the issues that we are facing is that we do not have enough applicants for the jobs we have available. We are working with HR and Family Child Education to come up with solutions.

  2. As we have learned over the past three years, without quality, affordable, childcare, parents can’t go to work. What will you do to address challenges accessing childcare and preschool programs in our diverse communities?

    As previously indicated, we have started discussing as a board how to increase the number of spots in after school childcare programs. However, while our HR and Family Child Education teams are coming up with creative solutions, we need to also collaborate with county and state agencies to solve this problem.

  3. Much of the student achievement gap has been linked to the opportunity gap that children in low-income families and children of color confront (e.g., lack of access to healthy food, preschool, tutors, and enrichment activities). If elected, what will you do to increase equity of opportunity?

    As noted, we need to collaborate with county and state agencies to bring resources to our communities. We also need to consider the barriers to access for our students to after school activities and remove those barriers.

  4. What steps will you take to support inclusion and outcomes for children with special needs or with disabilities and their families to be fully included in our community?

    I currently serve on the board for the College of Adaptive Arts, which “provides equitable higher education opportunities for adults with special needs who previously and historically have not had access to continued education in a collegiate environment.” I would love to help this program expand to every college campus.

    https://www.collegeofadaptivearts.org

  5. There is a mental health crisis among children, youth, and those who care for and educate them. If elected, how will you use the resources of your new role to improve access to mental and behavioral health services?

    SCUSD prioritizes the health and wellbeing of our students by funding wellness centers on all campuses. We need to continually evaluate if we are meeting the needs of all our students or if we need to expand these wellness programs.