My Priorities for College of Marin

By Wanden Patricia Treanor

Student Success is about setting goals, defining plans to achieve those academic or workforce goals, and then making sure the college supports the student on his or her path to success. Wanden understands that not all students are destined for a four year degree and that the college's ESL and Basic Skills programs are gateways for many students entering the college. Whether students come to the college seeking to learn a language, to develop workforce skills, or to explore a number of vocational areas, it is all possible at the College of Marin. Course completion rates, retention rates, degree completion, certificate completion are all data points that must be measured to evaluate student success. Wanden is committed to engaging the Board in regular discussions about student success using data and evaluating how well our college is doing in meeting the needs of our students.

Protecting the Taxpayers' Investment

Wanden works to ensure that the policies and budgets reflect a Board that tightly manages its resources, reduces waste, and maintains constant oversight of bond and tax dollar spending. Wanden advocates for a responsible reserve to have funds available in challenging times and to strategically buffer downturns. In November of 2012 the Board took advantage of low interest rates and refinanced previously issued general obligation bonds. The bond refinancing resulted in a net present value savings to Marin County taxpayers of $6.36 million over the life of the bonds. College of Marin is on track to fund its unfunded retiree health benefits liability. In collaboration with other board members, Wanden made a commitment over six years ago to set aside funds to pay down the unfunded liability, resulting in over $2 million being sequestered for that purpose. In June of this year, the Board voted to transfer those funds into an irrevocable investment fund that is projected to pay the current and future liabilities within five years.

Insuring a Quality Learning Environment

Wanden served as co-chair of the successful 2004 Measure C bond campaign, bringing in $249.5 million to update, modernize and retrofit the Marin Community College District facilities. With the completion of four new buildings, modernization of three facilities, new track and field at Kentfield, ADA and signage projects, as well as the installation of solar panels and geothermal fields at both campuses, there is much to celebrate as we begin construction on the final project, the new academic building on the corner of Sir Francis Drake and College Avenue. Wanden knows what was promised to the Marin taxpayers when they were asked to support Measure C. She believes her knowledge of what would be done with Measure C funds is still needed on the board and if re-elected will work to assure that the bond spending plan is completed in a responsible manner.

Understanding the Role of a Community College Trustee

Wanden understands the role of a California Community College Trustee through her years on the College of Marin board and her work on statewide issues. She participates in the planning of statewide conferences for CA Community College Trustees and is a frequent presenter at CCCT conferences. She has spoken on topics such as the role of the Board Chair, the trustee's role in Accreditation, the relationship between the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent/President, and suggested `best practices' for Trustees.

Commitment to Sustainability

Wanden supports the vision to establish and maintain a year-round teaching farm that provides education in sustainable organic farming at our Indian Valley campus. In collaboration with the Conservation Corps of the North Bay and UC Extension, College of Marin established an Organic Farm and Garden. Wanden is proud that College of Marin's IVC campus is home to the nation's first apprenticeship program for organic farming.