Reeves addresses resources

Friday, October 1, 2004 By Peter Hegarty, Alameda Journal

Incumbent Bob Reeves worked as an educator for more than 30 years before he retired from the school district in 1998. During his career he has worked as teacher, administrator and principal, including at Alameda Adult School.

He has a master's degree in education and educational administration from California State University at San Francisco. Reeves has lived in Alameda since the close of World War II.

District officials project up to a $750,000 deficit this school year. How would you balance the books?

We have already been up at the state lobbying -- I've been in Perata's office, O'Connell's office and Jackie Goldberg's office within the last month, trying to deal with greater equalization, or creating a greater revenue base.

On the other hand, the board is going to have to deal with making some possible major cuts. We are going to have to sit down and look at some things that we may have to cut and test the community waters to see where they want to go.

If program cuts are needed, what would you cut first and why?

I think at this time for me to suggest something is not the proper thing to do. The board is going to make that decision.

If administrative cuts are needed, where would you cut?

We have probably the leanest administration in Alameda County. At this time there are very few positions we can cut. There may be one or two, but it's insignificant to make up close to a million dollars.

What would you do to boost test scores and student performance?

What we've done before is take a look at the schools with the greatest need, realigned them, and put our federal dollars -- our Title 1 money -- into those schools. Those schools get the lion's share of school improvement funds. We've tried to align our finances to augment those areas of greater need.

Describe the relationship among the city, school district and developers of the former Naval base? Can it be improved, and what would you do?

In other administrations, it was horrible. It was contentious, argumentative. They didn't have ongoing meetings. Now the city and the school district meet monthly. We discuss issues and ways of getting out of possible problems. In terms of Catellus, and the issues (about the amount of developer fees to pay for a new school), we're trying to resolve them, and if not, we'll go to court.

What's the most pressing issue facing the school district?

Aligning expectations with limited resources.

Sometimes boards fail because they have unlimited expectations. They also fail because they don't understand their role. They think they are administrators and not policy makers. But I do think there are some areas of improvement we have got to deal with. Communication is one.

What separates you from the other candidates and what distinguishes you from the on the board?

I have served in a lot of capacities ind education. I really understand the system and the I have the knowledge. My kids have gone to school here. I have background in this community.

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Last Modified: October 1, 2004

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