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The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Experience,
Negotiations,
Goals
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What experience and training would you bring to this office?
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Answer from Andres Quintero:
From 2001-2003, I served on the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District as a Student Trustee. Concurrently, I served on the Statewide Student Senate for California Colleges. That experience allowed me to gain in-depth knowledge about the inner workings of the San Jose/Evergreen Community College Dist., as well as the California Community College System. As a member of the Student Senate, I worked in a consultative capacity with the State Chancellor for the California Community College System.
At present, I serve as a San Jose International Airport Commissioner. My experience on the San Jose Airport Commission has allowed me to work on a body that has provided oversight to the development of the largest public works project in San Jose History. At $1.3 billion, the San Jose Airport project is the single largest public works project in the city's history. The Airport project carries the distinction of being completed ahead of time and under budget.
Another example of the work and experience that I bring to this office is my service on the Measure G Bond, Citizen's Oversight Committee. My participation on the Citizen's Oversight Committee has allowed me to provide oversight in the expenditure of over $20 million dollars, which have translated into new classrooms, roofs, safer entrances and egresses for our schools. I have also had the privilege of serving as one of principal authors of the 2010 Measure G Annual report. I am proud of my work on the Airport Commission and the Measure G Bond Committee and my service on the San Jose/Evergreen College Board. My work in these organizations has prepared me to be an effective member of the San Jose/Evergreen College Board.
Answer from Maria Ramos Fuentes:
I have served as Trustee of the SJ/ECCD for 19 years. I have provided leadership during a time of great changes and advancement where the faculty and the entire staff are expected to extend themselves to fully respond to the business community and the students seeking an education to help them achieve their greatest life goals. In addition, I have a 30 year career as a manager and administrator of public mental health services, the last 20 years with the Santa Clara County Mental Health Department.
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2. What do you see as the role of the board in labor negotiations?
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Answer from Maria Ramos Fuentes:
It is the responsibility of the board to establish fair conditions for labor. This means that all must be fully informed about the fiscal picture and be part of the process in making future plans, the most difficult is budget cuts. The board must realize that as employes believe they are fairly treated at the work place, the outcomes of their work will be better. The board gives direction on all contract negotiations, as such is must be fully informed on the needs of the workers, the goals of the district in educating its students, the capacity of fiscal resources, while working with the chancellor as direction is given her and contracts are negotiated. The board must also be prepared to handle all grievances that may arise in the same fair manner. The ultimate goal of this entire process is to work together and to make sure all are cognizant of achieving the best outcomes for the students of the district. The board must ensure that labor has access and is included in the aignificant processes of the district.
Answer from Andres Quintero:
I believe that as the body that provides final approval to all contracts involving the district, the board of trsutees must ensure that all negotiations are in good faith and lead to a fair and just outcome.
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3. What are your goals for the college? Are students, faculty and staff currently meeting those goals?
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Answer from Andres Quintero:
As a graduate of the San Jose/Evergreen College District, I was prompted to run for the San Jose/Evergreen College Board in an effort to restore the integrity that at one point prevailed in the district. Recently, a slew of bad decisions and unethical behavior have overtaken San Jose/Evergreen Community College District. I have set as my number one priority to ensure that strong fiscal controls are in place in order to guarantee that all spending by top level administrators is solely focused on supporting the mission of the College District
Community Colleges serve to educate the backbone of our economy. In these difficult economic times, it is essential that San Jose/Evergreen Community College Dist. is prepared to provide the retraining that many in our community require in order to renter the workforce. Rather than spend the district's limited resources on paintings or round-the-world trips for administrators and some members of the board of trustees, I will work to ensure that districts resources serve to educate students.
The students and staff are making the best out of a difficult situation. We must work to insure that the district's resources are being utilized to educate the students.
Answer from Maria Ramos Fuentes:
I am very proad to say that my goals for the colleges are being achieved, and that for the last 19 years I have provided leadership to this process with the other board members. My goals include providing the maximum access to all individuals seeking an education from our colleges, ensuring our classes are meeting the needs of the students today and into the future, and that we recruit, hire and retain the best qualified staff to meet the needs of the students, in particular that we hire the best qualified educators who are commited and dedicated to serving our students. I hope you will vote for me so that I can continue to provide leadership to achieve this.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Answers must not refer directly or indirectly to another candidate.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
