Candidate for
Trustee; Coast Community College District; Trustee Area 3

The major problem in this District and in most other public school or community college districts is protecting the fiscal integrity of this important public trust while providing the very best in salary, benefits and working conditions for outstanding employees. The employees of the Coast Community College District do everything they can in every way to support student learning, student access, and the achievement of student goals and objectives as they pursue higher education.

If elected, I will work very diligently for appropriate economic and infrastructure resources for perhaps the most important segment in our higher eduation system. Currently, community colleges in California are woefully under funded compared to both other states and the funding disparity in student apportionment among the University of California and California State University systems. Providing an opportunity for vocational and occupational education and the first two years of baccalaureate studies is critical to the economic engine of the State, County, and Region. I will work to fix this fundng disparity so that students have a place in the higher education mix and the vital faculty and staff members who serve them are treated in a like manner to other federal, state and local public servants.

In this difficult time of economic downsizing, I believe that Coast must maintain the highest educational standard while offering a broad curriculum for students transferring to universities, for those seeking vocational programs, and for adults pursuing lifelong learning. My goals, therefore, for the next four years are as follows:

• To make sure our precious tax dollars enhance classroom education;

• To support outstanding teachers who motivate students to reach their highest potential;

• To work with business and community members on programs that respond to local educational needs;

• To protect the fiscal integrity of the financial resources of the Coast Community College District;

• To close the fundng disparity in student apportionment between the community colleges and the University of California and California State University systems.