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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 David Montagna:
As a manager and strategic planner in the computer industry, I have worked successfully to develop consensus among diverse groups of people. I am fair and unbiased and I have a track record of being able to understand, analyze and build consensus on complex issues.
My entire family has benefited from the community college system. My son attended the West Valley Middle College program for his last two years of high school and continued on to complete his first 2 years of a 4-year program. I have one daughter who has just transferred from community college to SJSU and a second daughter currently attending West Valley.
I am on the district Advancement Foundation Board, the fundraising and development organization for the district.
I was on the committee to pass the Measure H WVMCCD bond and I am currently on the Bond Citizens Advisory Committee.
I have been involved with the staff of West Valley College for several years as the Saratoga Rotary Art Show's Director of Financial Operations and as past chair of the show.
Answer from Jack Lucas, Ed.D.:
A combined fifty years experience in secondary education (35 years full-time experiences as a teacher, coach, dean of students, principal, and district director of alternative education for the Los Gatos-Saratoga High School District and 15 years as a part-time teacher in the Fremont Union High School District's alternative high school diploma program.) -- Twenty years experience as a city councilmember and Mayor five terms. (City of Monte Sereno) As a representative of the City, I have served on several Santa Clara County and regional boards of directors responsible for county and regional issues such as transportation, solid waste, water, sewage, and the construction of Highway 85.
Answer from Don A. Cordero:
I am a long time faculty member who has served as Academic Senate President twice, I served on the Mission West Valley Land Corporation Board, as well as on budget, planning and hiring committees including selections of district Chancellors and college presidents. I have been Division Chair and department chair. I have been honored by the college for community service. In 2005 the students voted me "Instructor of the year". I have directed a music group at the Santa Clara University alumni Mass for 25 years. I (and my wife) survived and prospered raising 5 children!
Answer from John R. Feemster:
Extensive management of programs for results and budget compliance. Management positions With General Electric ($1.6B) power plants, Lockheed (multiple stage rocket systems) United Technology (Support for lunar landing programs), US Navy (systems for man rated vehicles).
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2. What do you see as the role of the Board in labor negotiations?
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Answer from John R. Feemster:
Evaluate and determine fair and comperable compensation with other colleges and institutions. Listen and understand the points brought by the faculity/staff for specific differences and overall finance and budget allocations.
Answer from David Montagna:
The board needs to give faculty, staff and management the respect they deserve by honestly listening to both sides. They need to do everything they can to see that the current situation - a 1 ½ year contract negotiation - is not repeated.
As soon as this current contract is completed, the board should begin sincere discussions with the faculty, staff and the administration on how to ensure future non-adversarial negotiations.
Answer from Don A. Cordero:
The Board is the final arbiter in decisions about salary and working conditions. However, to be really successful the Board members and administration must share responsibilty in how decisions are made and share in the on-going governence of the colleges. It is a collaborative venture in which all need to understand the primacy of students and how the infrastructure of salary and working conditions support student achievement.
Answer from Jack Lucas, Ed.D.:
Appoint a strong negotiating team with the skills personalities, and expertise to work with the bargaining unit in a non-adversarial role. The negotiating team must be willing to strive to negotiate a fair and equitable contract for each group, and yet always keeping in mind that the Board's role, as stewards of the tax payers' dollars, is to watch and to protect these funds in view of a balanced budget. It is critical that the Board receive accurate financial information when providing direction to its negotiating team.
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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 John R. Feemster:
Obtain and review the results of students who have completed courses for applicable knowledge and practical value to the intended course taken. Evaluate University acceptance, employer satisfaction, and/or general population satisfaction with courses meeting student objectives.
Answer from Don A. Cordero:
My primary goal is to do what I can to foster a climate of excellence. A supporting goal is to assist in generating a feeling of partnership between faculty, staff, the administration and the Board. Make no mistake, I know this is a daunting task. Morale from what I can determine is not good and I hope to assist as a bridge of communication. This will not be easily accomplished and will take time but it is my solemn committment.
Answer from David Montagna:
Our community colleges are the backbone of our higher education system. One out of three of all UC and two out of three Cal State graduates started at a community college.
In addition, West Valley and Mission Community Colleges train our firefighters, criminal justice personnel, healthcare workers and our technicians to name a few. These are the people that are key to Silicon Valley's economic growth. Our community colleges also provide remedial education and new opportunities by training people who are reentering the workforce.
We must continue our great track record of been among the best community colleges in the state. We need to provide the right classes in a modern learning environment in order to keep our enrollment up and receive the funding we need to support our students now and in the future.
Answer from Jack Lucas, Ed.D.:
My goals for the WVMCCD are; Settle negotiations with all bargaining units with fair and equitable contracts *** Maintain agressive marketing programs designed to increase enrollment *** Explore all possible funding sources *** Hire highly qualified personnel to replace those administrators who have left the District *** Continue the excellent relationships the two colleges now enjoy with our surrounding cities *** Ensure that all programs are meeting the needs of our students and are providing them with the skills and confidence to succeed in their future goals ---- Are we meeting those goals? Many are, some are not. The Board must continue to review data which will show the Board who are we losing, and why. The Board must provide the leadership in increasing the effectiveness of those programs which may not be meeting the needs of some students.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.
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
