Greg Barker teaches social science and also coaches at Thousand Oaks High School. He moved to Moorpark with his family in 1986. His son and daughter both graduated from Moorpark High School.

Q: What is your opinion on Measure S?

A: General Obligation bond (GO bond) is one of only a few funding mechanisms local school districts have to renovate aging buildings or enhance educational needs such as technology. Passage of Measure S would give the MUSD $39.5 million in a GO bond extension that would not increase the tax rate for homeowners.

Q: Should MUSD reinstate busing for high school students?

A: Before a decision is made about the reinstatement of any program, including transportation, the district must review the state economic picture to ensure there is funding to cover the payroll for employees' costs or current programs. Districts are already being told to prepare for mid-year cuts and a dismal fiscal outlook for 2009- 10.

Q: Do you support or oppose the late start schedule implemented last year for middle school students?

A: With the extremely high demands of high-stakes testing, teachers are using collaboration time to prepare instruction that is matched to the diverse needs of students in their classrooms. The district continues to listen and respond to all stakeholders as evidenced by working with parents to evaluate the middle school schedule and making modifications for the current school year based on their input.

Q: With the onset of a supertight budget, what issues take priority with you as a possible school board member?

A: Building a budget begins with safety, and then focuses on quality teaching and high levels of student learning, student support services in counseling, and superior educational leadership.

Q: Do you offer any ideas as to how schools might augment their budgets in the coming years?

A: The real question might be, "Why do school districts need to augment their budgets in California?"

School finance today is not the same mechanism used a generation ago. Moorpark schools are enormously underfunded. Yet, we find a way. Our students are flourishing as measured by the national and state standardized testing, and the success of our students is on a par with any school district in the area. Our teachers and district have written hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and will continue to do so. The district is extremely lucky to have active parents in the PTSAs, boosters, and service clubs that support our schools.

With state coffers exhausted, the only way our local school district can keep pace with maintenance of our buildings or bring additional technology to our students is to pass a local bond issue such as Measure S.

Q: What is your stance on "No Child Left Behind"?

A: No Child Left Behind created accountability in the schools and gave the public information on the progress of our schools. However, NCLB also created an underfunded, nationally controlled, high-stakes race to perfection that was doomed to fail at the onset. The program also asks that all students progress and achieve at the same rate. NCLB takes a "rotten apple" approach, failing entire schools if sub-populations do not achieve at a nationally specified rate during a particular year. The program needs revision in several areas, including ways to monitor achievement growth based on realistic targets.

Q: What's your opinion of the DARE program?

A: The DARE program has been generously funded by the city of Moorpark for fifthgraders in MUSD for many years. DARE has been the district's mainstay in prevention education. However, recent state mandates have required school districts to use clinically tested programs that are approved by the state. MUSD has proposed that prevention education be provided by classroom teachers using the Second Step Program so that scarce city resources can be dedicated to student safety through a school resource officer present on secondary campuses.

Q: What is your opinion regarding the existing home schooling programs for students who aren't doing well in the structured school environments?

A: Not all students are schooled at home because they are not doing well in a structured school environment. MUSD is proud to offer many choices to parents including support for home schooling with the Home Independent Study Program. Credentialed teachers work with parents on a weekly basis to plan and implement a standardsbased program at home, including testing and monitoring student achievement growth.

Q: Could you outline your personal beliefs regarding teaching students about sex. At what age should such classes begin?

A: The district's Growth and Development guidelines were developed by a team of parents, clergy, community members, teachers and administrators following the California State guidelines. The California Education Code sets out the requirements for curriculum and grade level of instruction for Family Life Education. Participation of students in MUSD programs is by parental choice. I support the combined wisdom of our community and school representatives in this area.

Q: Should the school and city relations be improved?

A: It is important that all public agencies work together for the good of the community they serve. To support good communication, the district and the city participate in ongoing meetings to discuss ways in which MUSD and the city can collaborate.

Q: Funding for crossing guards has always been a point of contention between the city and MUSD. Who should pay for them?

A: Legislation has identified the cost to employ crossing guards as an appropriate expenditure of the revenue received by cities from fines imposed for certain vehicle code violations. Student safety is the responsibility of cities, school districts and parents. As funding decreases, we must continue to look at all options within the community for keeping students safe.

Q: What is your opinion on the Moorpark Highlands school site issue? Should the district keep the site for a future school or try to get out of the agreement that was made with the property owner?

A: The school district is currently involved in negotiations with the city and Pardee Homes to develop a workable solution for the property owners and the community as a whole.