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The Island’s CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Name: Margie Sherratt

Age

Occupation: Retired Educator  

Relevant experience: 35 years of experience in Alameda Unified School

District as a teacher, counselor, District administrator and Principal of

Alameda High School 

Why are you running for this office?: Alameda needs strong leadership on

the Board of Education at this critical time. I am compelled to run to help

shape the future of our Alameda schools. The decisions made in regards

to grade structure and programs in the next couple of years coulddrastically change how our children are educated. With my wealth of

experience in education, I believe I am the most qualified candidate to

speak for our children. 

Why should we vote for you?: I am a consensus builder who can and has

made wise and tough decisions for the benefit of our students. I have 35

years experience in Alameda Unified as an educator. I have worked in all

facets of education and have a deep understanding of curriculum K-12,

programs, state standards, budgets. I am also skilled in building the

morale of parents, students and staff. 

What do you feel are the roles and responsibilities of the office you’re

seeking?: It is the obligation of each Board member to make sure that the

District remains fiscally solvent while providing the absolute best programs

for our students. A Board member must not bring his/her own agenda,

but work collaboratively with District staff, parents, and school sites in

striving for excellence and in all areas of education. 

What do you think is the most pressing issue you would face if elected and

what would you do to address it?: The most pressing issue is of course,

money, and how to maintain the high quality of education in Alamedawithout enough resources. The State of California is not providing

equitable funding to our District. As a result, we find ourselves having to

cut programs, staff and facilities in order to remain solvent.

What steps do you think the school board should take to address

anticipated, multi-million dollar budget deficits?: First and foremost, the

School Board must all support and work towards the passage of a new

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parcel tax. They must direct District staff to present to the public an in

depth analysis of what the square footage structure tax would look like if

we raised 10 million, 15 million and 19 million. At the same time, District

staff would point out what services and/or facilities would be saved and

what would still need to be cut at these same amounts.

Secondly, a much deeper conversation and planning needs to happen

with the community/ committees as we discuss where we want Alameda

Unified to be in the next 3 years, 5 years and 10 years. This is a critical

decade in Alameda and we cannot rush these final decisions.

Do you think the board should put a parcel tax in the ballot? If so, how do

you think it should be structured?: Yes, the Board must recommend a

parcel tax be put on the ballot. At this point, I am leaning towards a per 

building square foot structure. I am still listening and learning from

community members, but this structure seems to be the most fair to thegreatest number of property owners. 

What changes, if any, would you make to the way educational services

are delivered to Alameda’s students?: Services at both the District office

and schools sites have been cut to a bare minimum. Staff has done a

credible job of analyzing and restructuring the delivery of educational

services. More is decided at the site level to develop a theory of action in

regards to the educational program and the monies allocated. 

In addition, an example of changing the way educational programs are

delivered would be to look at online courses for students instead of

purchasing thousands of textbooks for all grade levels. A single class set oftextbooks at the middle and high school level, for example could be

purchased in conjunction with an online course. We also need to

develop a stronger partnership/articulation plan with community colleges

and Cal State East Bay for coordinated courses for high school students.