San Mateo County, CA November 2, 1999 Election
Smart Voter

Distric Elections

By Tullio "Til" Bertini

Candidate for Governing Board Member; San Mateo Community College District

This information is provided by the candidate
I would like to change the current method of electing San Mateo County Community College District Board Members from at large to district elections.
Historically the San Mateo County Community College District evoloved from the establishment of San Mateo Junior College as part of San Mateo High School in the city of San Mateo. Later, in the early 1960's, when San Mateo County residents approved a bond issue, the present three locations were established. Skyline College in San Bruno, College of San Mateo in San Mateo, and Canada College in the Redwood City-Woodside area.San Mateo Junior College thus became a county wide institution. I often think about the demographic changes that have occurred in San Mateo County since I first arrived here in 1946. The northern end of the county has especially changed and the results of this change can be seen in the ethnic make up of the students at Skyline College. I therefore think that Trustees should be elected from the specific supervisorial districts in San Mateo County so that the Board would reflect the diversity in the county. In California, 67% of community college districts elect Trustees by district. Presently there are 3 members of the board from Redwood City, one from Atherton and one from Millbrae. Historically no one north of Millbrae has ever been elected to the Governing Board. The process to make the change is simple if initiated by the Governing Board. A recommendation can be made to the County Committee on school district organization requesting that a change be made. On December 14, 1998, I submitted a letter to the present Board of Trustees requesting such a change, no action has been taken. If elected, one of my first priorities will be to try to initate a changeover to district elections so the the members of the board will represent the entire county. District elections will allow candidates to campaign in a smaller region and allow personal interaction with voters. Campaign spending will also be reduced, and will allow candidates to present a ballot statement at a reduced cost from the current estimated $5,000.00 printing cost that is imposed by the county election office.

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ca/sm Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 5, 1999 15:33
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