Should a Trustee Be Responsible for 1 College?

The Question

The Times queried the candidates for the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees about three key issues. Today’s responses are to question No. 3:

Trustees have sometimes played tug-of-war over which college would get the most funding and support. Do you think board members should be responsible for the college in their areas or work as impartial representatives of all three colleges? What kind of leadership would you provide if elected to the board?

AREA 3

Timothy D. Hirschberg

I believe trustees should be impartial representatives of all three colleges. Each college is an important partner in fulfilling Ventura County’s commitment to education and vocational success. With three colleges in one district, we minimize costly overlap in administration and programs. To reap this benefit, trustees must work together to support all three colleges.

There are critical needs at each college. Moorpark College strains under an enrollment explosion. Ventura College needs extensive refurbishing. Oxnard College has never been completed.

Tom Jolicoeur

A trustee should be an impartial representative of the entire college district. A trustee should have a broad overview of the district. The district as a whole is not properly served by a trustee representing a single college, rather than the whole district.

As a member of the board, not only do I bring my experience as a former board member, but I will also provide the business expertise which the present board so sorely lacks. I will also bring to the board a new attitude and new ideas.

Vernon Markley

A trustee has a responsibility to the entire college district. Funding and priorities should be given on the basis of serving all of the residents of Ventura County, not just a special area or school. I have attended two of the three campuses and look forward to attending the third. My kinship lies with the community, not a particular campus.

My 11 years of experience as a trustee, 18 years of law enforcement experience, financial planning expertise and master’s degree in public administration and integrity will enable me to lead this district.

Al Pacheco

The trustees should be responsible for all three colleges within the district. This is particularly important with the open enrollment policy within the district, as well as between Ventura and other college districts.

I would certainly provide an impartial example of this since Area 3 has no college within its boundaries except for service centers. This will afford me the luxury of providing an unbiased look at matters and make decisions that affect the community as a whole.

Michael A. Musca

Board members should each provide leadership for the entire college district. The board should consist of members with diverse and unique talents who pull together for the common good of the district. The board does not have any members with a background similar to mine in government finance.

I would characterize my leadership style as that of a team player, yet one without fear of dissenting when I strongly believe in an issue. My experiences in a community college, where I began my education, spurred me on to a four-year college and a master’s degree in finance. I would like to give something back to the community college system.

AREA 4

Ted Fautz

If elected I will owe my first allegiance to Moorpark College. However, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the entire Ventura Community College District I will have a close second allegiance to the other two schools, Ventura College and Oxnard College.

Cooperation between the schools will benefit all three schools. For example, it is possible that more administrative tasks that are common to all three schools could be shared to reduce expenses. Also, the students and faculty of the three schools face many of the same problems. We can help and support each other.

Allan W. Jacobs

The board must work harmoniously in the best interest of all students and all three campuses. The concept of “trustee areas,” however, implies that a trustee has a responsibility to bring to the board’s attention the needs of the students and constituents of the college area represented.

As a trustee in Area 4 I would be fully aware of the needs of the students of Moorpark College and would make those needs known to the other trustees. After a full discussion of all of the demands upon the budget I would vote in the best interest of the district as a whole.

Marilyn E. Maurer

The funds should go where there is the greatest need. Need should be determined by the college and the community it serves. This should determine the kinds of classes offered as well. What are the primary goals of the students attending? That will be the measuring stick for funding.

I would want to eliminate duplication of effort where one site clearly has a greater demand for a specific program over another site. My responsibility to the board would be to be aware of the needs of the communities I serve and to present them in an honest, straightforward manner.

Terry Timmons

Simi Valley, Moorpark and Fillmore have always been considered bastard children by the western county. The trustee must protect the interests of the district he is elected to represent. It is also the trustee’s duty to work as an impartial representative of all three colleges.

With the state of the economy, we must try to work for the good of the many and not the good of the one or the few. I intend to serve the good of the whole while protecting the people of my district from the political maneuvers from the other districts.