Santa Clara County Voter's Guide On Children's Issues

Campbell Union High School District Governing Board, Trustee Area #3

Jason Baker

https://jasonbaker.vote/

I've been a mayor, a city councilmember and served on more than a dozen boards and commissions countywide or broader. That unparalelled experience means I know how to get things done for our kids. I'm also also is a CUHSD dad. I'll work hard and listen to parents, teachers and students to make every school in the district shine.

  1. In a recent poll by Choose Children 2022 of likely general election voters, more than half of parents with children under age 18 say they are likely to move out of the Bay Area in the next few years. What do you think are the top three issues affecting our children and families and how will you make our region a place where all families can thrive?

    Critical issues include the lack of affordbale housing; Climate and pollution and, for schools, the achievment gap caused by covid. I have worked for more affordable housing for more than a decade, including through my work as Mayor of Campbell, where I helped get more affordable housing, my work on the VTA Board, where I helped put more affordable housing on VTA land, and through my current job of head of housing and transportation for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. I will continue that work, working with the state and local gov's to treat our affordable housing crisis like it *is* a crisis.

  2. As we have learned over the past three years, without quality, affordable, childcare, parents can’t go to work. What will you do to address challenges accessing childcare and preschool programs in our diverse communities?

    Our County has made significant efforts to help with childcare and early childhood education. I would support the efforts of Supervisors like Susan Ellenberg who have shown a particular committment on these issues. I will continue to work on making sure our communities know about the resources available, and have access to reliable, affordable transportation options to get access to chilldcare and preschool programs.

  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?

    I believe good government can do good things, and investing heavily in the health, education and enrichment of all children, especially of those who suffer from an opportunity gap, is absolutely "worth it". Those investments will pay dividends well into the future in terms of better outcomes for young adults and our community as a whole. We know the Covid achievement gap hit students of color particularly hard- additional targeted tutoring and support for school clubs generally and specifically those provide a connection for underrepresented groups, is critical now, before the gap cements itself or gets bigger.

  4. What steps will you take to support inclusion and outcomes for children with special needs or with disabilities and their families to be fully included in our community?

    I know from my time as Mayor and Councilmember in Campbell that ensuring children with special needs or disabilities and their families are understood and supported is essential. Campbell has become known as a place where the schools and community do good work on inclusion and support for children and families with special needs. I know that some families special needs children specifically chose to live in Campbell because it is a caring supportive environment. I would keep doing the good work Campbell does, would work with the city to ensure more inclusive programs and I would make an effort to listen to parents of kids with special needs to see how we can meet their needs.

  5. There is a mental health crisis among children, youth, and those who care for and educate them. If elected, how will you use the resources of your new role to improve access to mental and behavioral health services?

    I would continue programs like having CASSI on campus. Ensuring counselors, mental health professionals and supporting adults are available where kids are, rather than kids having to taking the daunting and potentially stigmatizing step of "going" to a mental health appt, is very important. I would also continue to have programs to reduce the stigma around seeking help for mental health needs.