Meet the Candidate: Barbara Little, Waterford School Board

The following is a questionnaire sent out by The Bee to candidates for the November 2009 election. Candidates supplied the answers, and they are being published it their unedited form.

What is your full, legal name?

Barbara Lee Little

What name do you prefer be used in print?

Barbara Little

What office do you seek?

Waterford School Board Trustee

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I believe in Education and I believe in our children. I have spent my career working in the field of Education to help students. I have served as a Waterford School Board Member for the last four years. In that time, our high school has become the highest performing in the county, and the only one above 800 points on the statewide Academic Performance Index (API). Our elementary school has also climbed to the verge of an 800 API, and our middle school has made similarly impressive gains. I believe in Waterford, in our teachers, our students and our parents. I have served on several district committees and have a clear understanding of how a district is run and the duties of a Board Member. I would like to continue to represent my community.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

My highest priority will be to keep budget cuts as far away from the classroom as possible.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

What sets me apart from three of the candidates is my experience as a Board Member. What sets me apart from the two incumbents is that my voting record shows that I consistently vote against cuts that directly involve the classroom and I ask questions that need to be asked so that I have a clear understanding of what is being voted upon. I have a Master’s Degree in Education and am the only candidate who works in Education Administration. I believe Board Members need ongoing training to keep abreast of the complex and ever-changing education laws and practices.

Where do you work and what is your job title? (If retired, list position before retirement)

Educational Program Coordinator, Stanislaus County Office of Education

What date were you born and where?

December 11, 1948 Oakland, CA

What is your spouse's name, if any?

NA

What are the names and ages of your children, if any?

I have three grown sons, David, Tony, and Richard and two grandchildren, Jesse and Bethany.

Please list the schools and colleges you attended, the degrees you attained and when.

Master’s Degree, Education Administration, University of the Pacific

Resource Specialist Teaching Credential, Chapman University

Teaching Credential and Bachelor’s Degree, CSU, Stanislaus

Associate of Arts Degree, Liberal Studies, Modesto Junior College

Have you ever held an elected or appointed public office? (Include dates and office title)

Currently I am a Trustee for the Waterford School District, November, 2005 – Present.

Have you run before for an elected public office? (Include dates and exact office title)

As indicated above, Waterford Unified School District Board of Trustees, Nov, 2005.

Approximately how much money do you expect to spend on your campaign?

Between $800 - $1,000

Have you ever been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation? If so, please explain and include dates and locations.

No

Have you or a business you owned or had principal interest in ever filed bankruptcy? If so, please include dates and the location the bankruptcy was filed.

No