Q&A: Robert T. Owens, Candidate for West Valley-Mission Community College District Board

Four candidates are vying for your support in the West Valley Mission Community College District Board of Trustees election Nov. 6, 2012 where there are two seats up for grabs, which represent areas 2 and 6.

They are:

• Incumbent board of trustees president Adrienne Grey
• Incumbent trustee Robert T. Owens
• Ben Hernandez
• Ron Bonhagen

The California League of Women Voters asked the candidates the following questions and these are Owens' responses.

What experience and training would you bring to this office?

Robert T. Owens: I have served twelve years on the Governing Board, three years as Chair. As a member of the County Counsel's office I acted as counsel to the school districts of the County for more than twenty years. My background in construction will be an asset as the District commences the expenditure of bond funds to construct and renovate facilities at the colleges.

What do you see as the role of the Board in labor negotiations?

Owens: The Board acts as a representative of the community. The community desires to employ the most qualified instructors, support staff and leadership possible. The Board's task is to utilize the financial resources made available to provide salaries and benefits which permit the retention of District employees. The Board must also be cognizant of the high cost of residing in the area and changes in benefits resulting from recently enacted medical benefit legislation.

What are your goals for the college? Are students, faculty and staff currently meeting those goals?

Owens: Community colleges must offer programs in three areas: college transfer, career technical education and basic skills. My goal is to provide services in each area that counsel each student into a program that effectively meets the student's needs and then present the program in a manner that results in student completion and success. Newly enacted legislation will require the goals in each of these areas be established. In my view faculty and staff are striving to meet the current goals under extremely difficult conditions.