The Island’s CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Name: James Pruitt

Age: 58

Occupation: Director of Labor Relations, National Functions, Kaiser Permanente.

Relevant experience: I have 35 years of experience with large budgets,

negotiations and consensus building.

Why are you running for this office? I want to help our school district stabilize the
budget. I want to support the school district and help our students thrive.

Why should we vote for you? I am experienced in managing large budgets,

building consensus and interest-based bargaining. I am committed to the public
schools through my family of origin and also the raising of my own children.

What do you feel are the roles and responsibilities of the office you’re seeking?
The School Board ultimately oversees the education of about 9400 students and
a large budget. It is accountable to the citizens of Alameda.

What do you think is the most pressing issue you would face if elected and what
would you do to address it? We are now looking at scenarios that involve
unprecedented reorganizing and school closures after the failure of the parcel
tax vote. If I join the Board I will look at all the financials and support a parcel tax
that is fair to all the stakeholders in Alameda.

What steps do you think the school board should take to address anticipated,
multi-million dollar budget deficits? Here’s the situation. All options:

• Require some closing or reconfiguring middle schools and high schools.

• Require closing nearly half of the elementary schools and the establishing
of "mega-schools."
• Anticipate increased class sizes.

It’s very difficult to support any of this. If I join this Board I will:

• Work for a parcel tax assuming that is fair to all the stakeholders in
Alameda.
• Try to bring a fresh perspective as needed
I approve of the public meetings and the opportunity for citizen input. But I can’t
emphasize enough that this is a serious issue that requires a unified response.
Therefore, parents, other taxpayers and business owners should be consulted.

Do you think the board should put a parcel tax in the ballot? If so, how do you
think it should be structured? I will pay close attention to the work of the current
board right now as it struggles with the situation we face with the failure of
Measure E. If a parcel tax is determined to be necessary after input for all
interested parties and if it is fair to all the interests of Alameda I will support it.

What changes, if any, would you make to the way educational services are
delivered to Alameda’s students? Everything must come after our funding
situation is stabilized. When we resolve this immediate crisis, I would look at the
expanded use of technology to help prepare students for good careers and life.