According to CEA President Janice Hagerbaumer, members of the association pay dues but the organization cannot use that money for political activities. By forming a political action committee, members can raise money that will be used for campaigns in the Cupertino Union School District.

"Most education associations have political action committees," she said. "We have not had one for a long time, and we've really felt the need, especially when the money shortage [for education] is so extreme."

CEA Executive Director Matthew Cottrell said funds raised by the committee will only be used within the community for local board elections, parcel taxes and bond issues.

In selecting candidates to support, Hagerbaumer, a Garden Gate Elementary School teacher, said the committee prefers individuals who will be sensitive to teachers' needs. "The people we endorse are usually people who understand a lot about teaching and what it takes to be a teacher, such as the number of hours we put in," she said. "That way, when the district is discussing issues we will have people on the board who know where we are coming from."

Hyde Middle School teacher Brian Davenport, who is heading the committee, said, "[Candidates] should be open to divergent viewpoints and open to our perspective."

He said the committee is currently raising money for the November school board elections and searching for qualified candidates to run. The group anticipates raising between $8,000 and $10,000 to help candidates run effective campaigns.

Davenport said teacher-friendly school board members help keep quality teachers in the district and are an integral part of maintaining the district's high standard of education.

"If we don't have good teachers, then we won't have good schools," he said. "We want to keep the district's excellent reputation."

For more information about the Cupertino Education Association, visit www.ceaweb.org.