As the Nov. 5 election draws near, incumbents Kathryn Ho and Avie Katz and newcomers Lisa Tam, Daniel Nelson and Barbara Nunes are busy with their campaigns.

While they say they are concerned about a number of similar issues facing the district, such as teacher retention and community involvement, they prioritize as well as perceive them in different ways.

During a candidates' forum sponsored by two nonprofit organizations—Organization of Chinese Americans and Vision New America—on Oct. 21, they shared their ideas and plans with community members.

Katz, the current school board president, has been a junior high and high school teacher for 29 years.

During the four years of his service on the school board, Katz says, he has accomplished a variety of goals, such as lobbying the state government to obtain additional school funding and strengthening relationships between the district's diverse groups, as well as monitoring the district's implementation of Measure H funds for school construction.

Katz says his top three priorities for the district are to prepare all students for passing the mandatory exit exam that is starting in 2004; to attract, mentor and retain teachers who meet the highest standards; and to improve communication with feeder schools to better meet the needs of incoming freshmen.

"For me, the school board is a family tradition," said Katz, whose father once served on the board. "It's a place of honor. I will work to ensure that all children are developed to their highest abilities."

Serving on the school board might not be a family tradition for Daniel Nelson, but he, too, says he plans to improve the district.

"I support the current board, but I think there's always room for improvement," said Nelson, whose daughter attends Fremont High School.

Describing himself as a product of California public schools, Nelson said he has supported the district by volunteering his time and effort for many years.

His top three priorities for the district are raising the Academic Performance Index scores, ensuring that the district has a solid financial foundation and providing a healthy and supportive environment for teachers.

Nelson, a 30-year Sunnyvale resident, said he promises "great things to look forward to, following in the fine tradition of the district."

Like Nelson, Lisa Tam, whose daughters attend Lynbrook High and Miller Middle schools, has been an active parent in the district.

Teaching art and math, coaching girls soccer and serving as a founding member of the Bilingual Adult Mentoring Program at Lynbrook High are just a few of the endeavors that Tam has undertaken.

Before moving to the district nine years ago, Tam worked as the director of the Vietnamese Refugee Relief Program in Hong Kong for five years.

Tam said she perceives serving on the school board as the ultimate community service, as board members act as "a bridge that helps people to communicate with the district."

Tam's top three priorities are to recruit and retain quality teachers, encourage open communication within the district's community and ensure the highest level of excellence in education for all students by providing them opportunities to develop in different ways.

"It's important that we prepare students for a complex world," said Tam, who promised voters that, if elected, she would listen to and respect everyone's concerns.

Barbara Nunes is a 37-year educator in the district, with experience both as a teacher and an administrator.

Before retiring in 2000, Nunes had been principal of Cupertino High School for 13 years. During that time the school was twice recognized as a California Distinguished School and in 1996 was named a National Blue Ribbon school.

In addition, Nunes has also been a trainer for the California State Department of Education Accreditation Process, as well as an adjunct professor in the Urban High School Leadership Program for administrative credential candidates at San José State University.

"These experiences have inspired me to continue serving students and the community as a member of the school board," she said.

Nunes' top three priorities are building knowledge based on academic standards, making solid financial decisions and addressing individual student needs through improvements in areas such as teacher retention.

Nunes said she would work closely with the community to improve the district.

"I believe the long-range plan for the district should come from community input," she said.

Sharing that belief, Kathryn Ho, a high school counselor, has promoted trust and respect among board members, administrators, teachers and the parent community during her current tenure as a school board member. Ho did not attend the forum due to a schedule conflict.

In the past four years, Ho says, she has worked to improve student performance in all five high schools, increase the use of technology in the classrooms, modernize school facilities and strengthen collaboration with feeder districts.

Ho said her top three priorities in taking the district to the next level are to develop a strategic plan that includes both long- and short-term goals for the district, offer programs to ensure that all students pass the state-mandated high school exit exam and recruit and retain quality teachers.

"With the recent appointment of our new superintendent, we need the stability of experienced trustees to support and guide the new administration to build a team of educators for the district's success," Ho said.

Voters' decisions on Nov. 5 will place three of these five candidates on the FUHSD Board of Trustees, joining current members Nancy Newton and Homer H.C. Tong.