League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 8, 2005 Election
	Bruce Swenson Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Foothill-De Anza Community College District

Questions & Answers

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.

Foothill and De Anza Colleges are outstanding community resources that I would work diligently to preserve and protect. I support programs that prepare students to transfer to four-year colleges and that provide such vocational training as dental hygiene, nursing and respiratory therapy. In addition, we must attract and retain excellent teachers in the face of fiscal constraints. I would consider cutting under-enrolled programs and duplicated services.

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

The Board represents the community and must safeguard its interests in all labor negotiations. To do this, the Board will have to find a proper balance between the needs of faculty/staff and those of students. Faculty and staff require strong salaries and benefits in expensive Silicon Valley, and students need to have access to outstanding educational programs. In finding this balance, the Board must ensure long-term financial integrity, so the District can fulfill its mission in coming years.

3. To which constituencies and by what process should the Board evaluate the performance of the colleges?

Foothill and De Anza Colleges have exceptional reputations, both regionally and nationally. To ensure that the schools continue to provide outstanding educational programs, the Board needs to conduct regular, rigorous evaluations by an agency external to the colleges, such as a regional accreditation body. The results should be reviewed in a public Board meeting that includes community leaders, students and faculty/staff. The Board should insist that recommendations for improvement are addressed and implemented.