Milpitas Unified School District

Douglas Sueoka

Children need a good start in life, and school, especially elementary, plays a critical role. Families are an essential component as they are who provide the environment in which the children are nurtured. Having the right people in the right places at the right time goes far in ensuring initial success.

1. Over 80% of voters polled say they want elected officials to prioritize children and families. What are the top three issues affecting our children and families and how will you make our region a place where all families can thrive?

   Ensuring a safe and inclusive atmosphere is essential for children to feel secure and ready to learn. Access to nutritious meals through free lunch and breakfast programs is crucial, as it directly impacts students' ability to focus and succeed.
   Thorough vetting of teacher applicants ensures that the right individuals are in the classroom, establishing positive relationships and effective teaching. Identifying and eliminating barriers to learning—whether they be physical, social, or emotional—promotes inclusion for all students.
   When children feel safe, nourished, and supported by skilled educators, they are much more likely to engage and excel in their education. These steps create a strong

2. High quality childcare improves school readiness and parents' workforce participation. What will you do to improve access to high quality childcare and preschool programs in our diverse communities?

   Kids have no prejudices, so creating a day care program that incorporates all local cultures in some fashion will create an environment of inclusion. The people that would run the program would need to be thoroughly vetted to ensure that they are the right person with whom to leave our children. It is our reality that most parents need to work so finding a way to lower or eliminate the cost of daycare would allow parents to afford this vital service.

3. Much of the student achievement gap has been linked to the opportunity gap that children in low-income families and children of color confront (e.g., lack of access to healthy food, preschool, tutors, and enrichment activities). If elected, what will you do to increase equity of opportunity?

   Every child, regardless of their socio-economic status, deserves the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.
   Evaluating budgets to redirect funds toward under-resourced schools and communities is critical. This may involve tough decisions, but prioritizing education can lead to long-term benefits. Investing in programs that support disadvantaged students—such as tutoring, after-school activities, and mental health services—can help level the playing field. It's an investment in the future that pays dividends for everyone.
   

4. What steps will you take to improve inclusion and outcomes for children with disabilities and their families in our community?

   In order to include all children regardless of disability, it is of utmost importance to eliminate all barriers, whatever they may be. I would consider all disabilities and challenges, evaluate what may be a barrier for them, and make a thoughtful decision on how to eliminate/help overcome them.

5. If elected, how will you use the resources of your new role to improve children's well-being and access to mental and behavioral health services?

   These days everything is about cost. The cost of this, the cost of that. Making all health services affordable would be the best way to initially make these services accessible. Then we would need to ensure that those that are being hired to perform these services are vetted sufficiently to ensure kids get the right people to help them with whatever they need.