Comment: I am running for several reasons. First, I was asked by several people to consider running for the Board. That is important to me because it indicates community need and support. Secondly, as a former teacher and school administrator, I believe that I have a unique insight into the problems facing our schools and colleges today. I can use my background and experience to work toward positive changes that will benefit CLC and our communities. Finally, I have followed the ongoing problems that CLC has experienced with its “leaders” (including the President of CLC and some Board members) and want to work toward a more open and honest Board of Trustees.
Do you support these issues as proposed by the ICCTA?
X Yes No
Further Comment: Community Colleges are local entities and should be treated as such. As for funding, our Community Colleges will suffer if funding is cut. These colleges offer an invaluable service to students and the community by providing classes for those who are not yet ready to tackle a four year college. In addition, they provide services to students who may not otherwise attend post-high school education. Furthermore, community colleges provide variety of adult education that encourages all adults to continue to learn and grow.
Do you support this role as outlined by the ICCTA?
X Yes No
Further Comment: I absolutely support these goals. Four year colleges are not for everyone but post high-school education can benefit everyone. Community colleges fill the void and offer adults an opportunity to improve skills, learn a new trade, or just enhance their learning. All of this benefits the community as a whole.
If you are elected, will you vote to increase the CLC Board’s accessibility by having the college maintain college email address for each of the CLC Board of Trustees?
X Yes No
Further Comment: College Trustees are accountable to the people who elect them. I see no reason why Trustees should not be accessible via e-mail.
If you are elected, will you vote to require CLC Board members remit itemized receipts in order to be reimbursed for meeting and travel expenses?
X Yes No
Further Comment: I believe that all “public servants” should be accountable for their expenses. If one is honestly working for the benefit of the group that elected them there shouldn’t be any problem in disclosing how and why funds were spent.
If you are elected, will you vote to approve the public release of an annual spreadsheet of the CLC Board’s meeting and travel expenses?
X Yes No
Further Comment: I think this should already be public knowledge. Trustees hold a non-political and non-paid position. Why wouldn’t their activities be public?
CLCFT-PAC is opposed to such decisions being made without public debate, open discussion among Board Members, and a formal vote. In general, CLCFT-PAC supports full transparency of CLC Board debate whenever possible (excluding personnel issues).
If you are elected, will you seek to make the actions discussed and voted on by the CLC Board of Trustees transparent by calling for their discussion/vote in open session whenever possible?
X Yes No
Further Comment:
CLCFT-PAC is opposed to the CLC Board creating this position without following institutional procedures and argues the only way to monitor such action is through the use of public debate and the call for a public vote. In general, CLCFT-PAC supports full transparency of CLC Board debate whenever possible (excluding personnel issues).
If you are elected, will you seek to make the actions discussed and voted on by the CLC Board of Trustees transparent by calling for their discussion/vote in open session whenever possible?
X Yes No
Further Comment:
CLCFT-PAC opposes increases in student tuition over the last several years and seeks a candidate who is fiscally responsible and will not increase costs unnecessarily. More specifically, we seek a candidate who will not pledge funds to the hire of a position that was not created through the use of institutional procedures and support.
If you are elected, will you seek to eliminate unnecessary costs by refusing to hire positions that are not supported by a need-based analysis?
X Yes No
Further Comment: I am generally against increasing tuition. Those who seek to obtain additional education are already financially strapped. I will always fight increasing student expenses unnecessarily and I support need-based hires.
In November of 2008, their contract was again extended another year (for $60,000), through 2009. During Board deliberations it was presented that at least one of the firms was registered as a lobbyists in Washington D.C. When CLCFT-PAC researched this claim we found it to be false, yet the CLC Board did not choose to revisit their decision; the college continues to write a monthly check to these lobbying firms.
CLCFT-PAC is concerned about the cost of lobbying firms who provide inaccurate data and make misleading statements.
If you are elected, will you demand due diligence and accountability from those hired by the CLC Board of Trustees?
X Yes No
Further Comment: I have been involved in politics for more than six years and I believe that all lobbyists need to be held to a standard and need to be accountable.
CLCFT-PAC is concerned about increases in student tuition over the last several years and seeks a candidate who is fiscally responsible and will not increase costs unnecessarily. More specifically, we seek a candidate who will not expend funds on lobbyists without a clear cost-benefit analysis provided to the public.
If you are elected, will you seek to eliminate unnecessary costs by refusing to hire lobbyists if a cost-benefit analysis provided to the public does not justify the lobbyists’ work?
X Yes No
Further Comment: As I stated earlier, I will always work to prevent an increase in cost to students unless that increase is absolutely necessary. Furthermore, if a lobby group is not advancing the interests of CLC, that group should be dismissed. In addition, my guess is that lobbyists (in general) will be less effective in the next two years. This is based on the events that propelled Obama to the Presidency and that impeached Blagojevich and put Quinn in office as Governor.