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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,
Labor 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 Ben Hernandez:
I have four decades of experience in communications, marketing, and multimedia technology. I will be an asset to expand community engagement, especially to returning veterans and socioeconomically-challenged students. Our underserved communities need Trustees to engage the small business and corporate leaders in partnerships to provide mentoring and internship opportunities and apprentice work experience. I have been a community activist for Educational excellence, equity, and opportunity, via grassroots community organizing, print media promotion and multimedia platforms. I value the input and priorities of the communities I serve.
Answer from Robert T. "Bob" Owens:
I have served twelve years on the Governing Board, three years as Chair. As a member of the County Counsel's office I acted as counsel to the school districts of the County for more than twenty years. My background in construction will be an asset as the District commences the expenditure of bond funds to construct and renovate facilities at the colleges.
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2. What do you see as the role of the Board in labor negotiations?
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Answer from Robert T. "Bob" Owens:
The Board acts as a representative of the community. The community desires to employ the most qualified instructors, support staff and leadership possible. The Board's task is to utilize the financial resources made available to provide salaries and benefits which permit the retention of District employees. The Board must also be cognizant of the high cost of residing in the area and changes in benefits resulting from recently enacted medical benefit legislation.
Answer from Ben Hernandez:
The Board of Trustees set a collaborative tone with higher education leaders and the chancellor to conduct the labor negotiation teams with respect. These labor negotiation teams will develop open and good faith negotiations that lead to positive agreements and settlements. As an elected Trustee for Area 2, representing the communities of Sunnyvale, portions of Cupertino and Santa Clara, I will vote to make best use of local, state, and federal funding to
provide adequate financial resources for educators, staff, and employees of WVMCCD. We must clarify and refocus our student academic, career and vocational WVMCC district priorities. I will be an advocae for transparency and mutual trust.
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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 Robert T. "Bob" Owens:
Community colleges must offer programs in three areas: college transfer, career technical education and basic skills. My goal is to provide services in each area that counsel each student into a program that effectively meets the student's needs and then present the program in a manner that results in student completion and success. Newly enacted legislation will require the goals in each of these areas be established. In my view faculty and staff are striving to meet the current goals under extremely difficult conditions.
Answer from Ben Hernandez:
Our common vision is to promote and support higher education goals and priorities that ensure students set and meet their
academic, career and vocational goals. Staff, professors and community college leadership must focus on student success. Access and inclusion are not enough and we must identify and provide necessary resources to focus on goal completion. I believe community voice and input must be a part of policy decisions. Together we can promote civic engagement towards our mission to achieve the American college graduation dream! Instruction and learning must be innovative and may include real world job experience, internships and mentoring. WVMCC district is in the heart of Silicon
Valley and we will provide 21st Century world class instruction. Our students and graduates will be prepared to be successful in a global economy. I understand my role as Trustee Area 2 is to represent your voices. Boardmembers are elected from Area
Districts. I will be honored to be elected WVMCC Area 2 Trustee as your representative for Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Cupertino communities and families.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as
submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words.
Direct references to opponents are not permitted.
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
