Why you should vote for Don McKinney

By Donald A. "Don" McKinney

My experiences and accomplishments in my current career, as well as my past careers, have given me the tools and abilities to create productive and successful plans that will emphasize education over administration, and as well, stay within a balanced budget, even with our compromised funding. I will bring stability, ethics, fiscal responsibility, and common sense to my seat on the board of trustees.

As a Congressional District Representative for nine years, I have proven experience in the acquisition of funds from, and in coordination with, city, state, and federal government agencies. I have solid experience with boards and commissions, most recently as current Chairman of Oceanside Police and Fire Commission. My expertise in dealing with the public and media was acquired from twelve years experience in coordinating and producing national level marketing projects. I successfully planned and implemented projects with multi-million dollar budgets without ever going over budget.

MiraCosta College has the potential to be the best institution of its kind. Yet we are experiencing tremendous financial and educational upsets that are preventing this institution from flourishing. My experience and skills will assist me in being a valuable asset to the board and to the supporting community. Ladies and gentlemen, let me briefly explain just some of the reasons why I wish to be involved in supporting solutions and successes at MiraCosta Community College:

"« In the recent past, MiraCosta Community College Board of Trustees has made multiple widely reported and documented decisions that were not in the best financial interest of the school, nor its students. This damage must not be allowed to escalate any further, potentially causing permanent damage to the college. The focus must now be put on getting money back into the classrooms and making MiraCosta a center of educational excellence.

"« We need to increase staff accountability to determine if we are getting the best bang for our buck. A formula needs to be developed that will better measure the level of student learning based upon individual professor performance.

"« Current documented statistics are as follows:

44% of black students are getting D¡¦s and F¡¦s
38% of Hispanic students are getting D¡¦s and F¡¦s
34% of all students are getting D¡¦s and F¡¦s

This is simply not good enough.

From a campus enrollment of over 15,000 students, MiraCosta has less than 500 veteran students. Are these statistics acceptable to you???

We need new, viable programs tailored to specific student needs to improve not only their test scores, but their lives. After all, isn¡¦t that why they come to MiraCosta to begin with? MiraCosta needs thoughtful changes to occur to fulfill its potential. A continuation of the current leadership jeopardizes the future of our campus and students. I ask for your vote so that I can put my skills to work improving the quality of education on campus and establishing fiscal responsibility within the board. If elected, I will work tirelessly to see that MiraCosta becomes a true center of educational excellence. Again, my name is Don McKinney and thank you for your consideration, and your vote.