League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Robert T. "Bob" Owens Answers Questions Candidate for Trustee; West Valley-Mission Community College District; Trustee Area 2

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience and training would you bring to this office?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 17, 2012 19:44
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