League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Kent L. Child Answers Questions Candidate for Trustee; Gavilan Joint Community College District; Trustee Area 3

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience and training would you bring to this office?

I have 42 years of experience with Gavilan College, first as an instructor, then as a Dean and now as a member of the Board of Trustees. This background has given me extensive experience in budgeting, contract negotiations, curriculum development, staff supervision and facility administration. I have served as a member of the Aromas Service Club, Chair of the Garlic Festival Arts Committee, Hollister Downtown Association, and the Hollister School for the Arts. I am currently on the board of the San Benito County Arts Council.

2. What do you see as the role of the board in labor negotiations?

The Board is responsible for the financial condition of the District and approval of an annual budget that is balanced. A major portion of the budget is the cost of labor contracts, and the board must give guidance to the District's negotiators during the process, and approve the final agreements. The goal is to attract and retain the best possible staff for the college, to compensate them fairly and manage the fiscal resources prudently and sustainably.

3. What are your goals for the college? Are students, faculty and staff currently meeting those goals?

It is imperative that we make every effort possible to provide educational services to our students that will enable them to successfully adapt to the very challenging employment conditions that currently exist. We must ensure that our transfer programs are appropriate and adequate so that students are able to progress to four-year colleges and universities without undo difficulties.

The faculty, staff, administration and board work diligently together to ensure that Gavilan's students are able to achieve their academic and long-range career goals.

---

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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 20, 2010 13:44
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.