Candidate for
Trustee; Peralta Community College District; Area 2

As Trustee I'll demonstrate courage and reason with my priorities of quality instruction, student support, local business commitment, employment fairness, workforce equity and making Peralta the premier Community College District, despite diminished funding and other challenges." Meredith

I will fight for:

EDUCATIONAL ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY: I will look into ways in which effective, academically rigorous and accessible online education can be delivered. This would help to reduce the need to commute, thus reducing student travel costs. I will push Peralta to do a more effective job of seeking federal and state funding, especially for green energy and green job education and training to support education in this emerging industry sector.

I will pursue district policies, in collaboration with instructors, staff and administration, to reduce the exorbitantly high cost of textbooks by assessing the need to require the purchase of newly + but minimally revised textbooks, especially for courses in which the subject matter is relatively constant, such as language and introductory classes. This is a 'green' as well as an economic solution.

I also believe that obtaining donations of textbooks for a textbook loan system will give students with limited financial resources access to books

INTERIM SOULUTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DELAYED FINANCIAL AID AND FUNDING SHORTFALLS: I will seek interim solutions for students with delayed receipt of financial aid, such as a no-interest bridge loan program, where students can get funds to pay for school expenses while awaiting their disbursements.

FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR JOBS AND CAREERS IN EMERGING INDUSTRIES: I will pursue connections to and dialogue with the private sector, especially in growing areas like the green sector, to assure that our students are being well prepared for real jobs.

I will explore mutual sharing initiatives through which industry provides equipment and volunteer specialized guest instructors.

INCREASED REVENUE GENERATION: Peralta is challenged with serving more students than the state pays for. I'll provide committed leadership to find creative ways of fully serving them with less.

I will seek increased revenue by promoting rigorous partnerships and linkages to deliver more contract education to the private sector. Through Measure A, Peralta has done a good job of refurbishing some old and developing new instructional facilities, the district must do a better job of marketing these resources.

I will promote more District attention to delivering fee-based life enrichment classes that are of most interest to students and potential students.

I will seek review of existing facilities lease policies and contracts to revise where indicated to assure profitable agreements for tournaments; sporting events; and use of other District facilities.

I will encourage and challenge the Peralta Foundation to focus on increasing community support and contributions for student projects, grants and scholarships.

MAINTAINING ACCREDITATION: Peralta's accreditation has had problems in the past and remains a challenge in the present. I will work to establish District policies, goals, budget and long range plans and hold the Chancellor responsible for implementing, directing and managing Board directives.

As a Trustee, I will not micro manage District operations, which has been a past issue with accreditation.