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The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Los Altos-Mtn. View Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Program cuts,
Labor negotiations,
Alumni/Community support
Click on a name for other candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. Given the fact that budgetary restraints will continue, what programs do you support and what programs would you cut and why? Please be specific.
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Answer from Michael G. "Mike" Bradford:
This is the rough ranking I foresee for day/night student curricula if services had to be prioritized; i.e., rationed due to budget. [The lower the number, the less likely I would want it cut.]
1) English language instruction including ESL
2) Nursing certification
3) Dental assisting certification
4) Information technology instruction/certification
5) Adding a new Spanish language AA program*
6) Sports training and team participation (honoring title IX)
7) Trade certifications and law enforcement courses
8) Liberal Arts courses
9) Pure sciences
- There is no all Spanish AA degree program currently, thus we are fifteen years behind the curve in this area.
Answer from Hal Plotkin:
My first priority will be to ensure that we maintain student access to the core classes required for degree programs and for transfer to four-year, undergraduate institutions.
Before making cuts I would ask the staff and faculty for their input and creative suggestions. Once that information is in hand I would be prepared to take any actions that may be necessary consistent with the above goals.
Answer from Betsy Bechtel:
Foothill and De Anza Colleges are incredible community resources that I will work very hard to preserve and enhance. We must maintain quality programs and retain our excellent teachers in the face of fiscal constraints. Students must have access to essential classes required for transfer to four-year colleges.
Our communities and students also rely on vocational training programs, such as dental hygiene, nursing, respiratory therapy and many more essential programs.
I would consider cutting in areas where there is duplication of service. I will explore ways to increase revenues from State and community sources.
Answer from Norman John Shaskey:
I will not allow a reduction in educatioanl opportunities for all persons. I will use my financial expertise as a Certified Public Accountant to help balance the district budget without reductions of service and layoffs. I would seek an increase in class size and a limit to future wage & benefit increases for college employees before limiting educational opportunities. We must continure to invest in education to improve our future economy.
Answer from Andrea N. Leiderman:
Community colleges are reliant on State funding. Much of the Foothill-De Anza budget (85%) is salaries and benefits. We need to fight for local control so we are not at the mercy of the State budget; we need to generate revenue locally to support our programs. I support programs which allow students to prepare to transfer to four-year colleges; job retraining; and career certifications. Our students need to be prepared for actual jobs in area industries so they can help themselves AND the economy at the same time.
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2. What do you see as the role of the Board in labor negotiations?
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Answer from Michael G. "Mike" Bradford:
Prior boards bargained in bad faith with SEIU #715. This led to unnecessary problems up to and including the layoff of classified employees (June 2003) when other options were not even considered. This has left a very bad taste in the mouths of the employees upon whom we depend for all the services required on every campus. The new board must be much more forthright in its labor negotiations. Classified employees are not just excess expenses. I cannot support any additional layoffs of classified employees and will not vote for that drastic measure.
If future layoffs are required, it will be done in the ranks of management representing the highest paid employees. I strongly support a fair study of existing management positions to determine which managers are expendable if layoffs again become necessary.
Answer from Hal Plotkin:
The Board serves as the representative of the community and must safeguard its interests in all labor negotiations. It's important to maintain an open, constructive, respectful and collaborative relationship with the groups that represent the district's employees.
Answer from Norman John Shaskey:
The Board must negotiate fairly with all employee unions and non represented workers. This applies to all wages, benefits, working conditions and disciplinary actions. The Board must not discriminate in any manner.
Answer from Andrea N. Leiderman:
The Board determines the level of funding available for salaries and benefits and directs the administration on strategy for negotations. The Board is the steward of public funds and must balance the needs of the faculty and employees with the needs of the students who attend our colleges and use our services. The main purpose of the FHDA is to provide the highest quality education to students. We should also provide a good work environment and strong salaries and benefits to attract and retain good faculty and employees.
Answer from Betsy Bechtel:
Board members must listen and weigh carefully the concerns expressed by employees while ensuring that the budget is balanced and the mission and goals of the District and the community are preserved.
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3. What suggestions/ideas do you have for increasing alumni and community support for the colleges?
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Answer from Andrea N. Leiderman:
FHDA has a Foundation but we have never created an alumni development process. With the availability of information through the Internet, we should begin the process of creating a database of alumni -- graduates and others who have attended our schools. Many graduates attribute their success to the excellent education they received at Foothill and De Anza. We need to harness that appreciation and seek support for the next generation of students.
Answer from Hal Plotkin:
I am uniquely positioned to increase community and alumni support for the colleges. If elected, I would be the first graduate of Foothill College to ever serve on the Foothill-De Anza Board of Trustees. My service on the Board will show one way to "give back" to the schools that have helped many students succeed. I will be in a position to encourage others to give back in other ways. Another way to attract support is to maintain and extend Foothill-De Anza's reputation for excellence. That requires continued innovation and effective outreach to the public.
Answer from Norman John Shaskey:
Continue to use the Foothill-DeAnza College Foundation in a lead role for raising donations from the community and alumni.
Answer from Betsy Bechtel:
I helped raise money for Foothill-De Anza as a past President of the Foothill-De Anza Foundation board and six year Foundation board member. During this period, we increased individual, annual, planned giving and major gifts. As a trustee, I will work to increase community awareness and support for Foothill-De Anza and increase business collaboration and internships for our students.
Answer from Michael G. "Mike" Bradford:
Currently, no high level executives (Phd. holders) teach courses. I want the highest level degree holders to be actively teaching. This will improve the academic standing of FHDA. This is also necessary because ALL part time instructors were laid off. Beyond that, I would like to be able to attract private donations to FHDA. That is much more difficult if the high level executives appear not to be involved directly in education. Major universities operate this way and I believe it is high time for FHDA to do so as well. Please remember that 45,000 students are registered at FHDA this Fall with 5,000 turned away! That number exceeds The University of Texas at Austin's count of 37,000 full time undergrads registered. We have a great local treasure that must be advanced.
The NASA/AIMS project and intership program is very important. Some child from this immediate area will walk on Mars in the next thirty years. The program is very aggressive. Two big probes are headed for Mars right now. We have to be involved in this. From the NASA/AIMS project will come jobs and more for years to come. Foothill/De Anza is very fortunate to be the first on the line with these two agencies. Let's keep it that way and even expand!
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' answers are presented as submitted. Word limits (300 words total for all three questions) apply until noon on September 26. At that time a paper Voter Guide will be prepared. After September 26 answers may be amended to be of any reasonable length. Direct reference to opponents is not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
