The elections are split between the two district lines. Four candidates will be running for the two open seats in District 1 (West Valley)—Bret England, Jack Lucas, incumbent Jeffrey Schwartz and incumbent Donald Wolfe. Two candidates will be running for the open seat in District 2 (Santa Clara)—Kevin Moore and Gagan Singh.

Bret England, 44, has lived in Saratoga for eight years. He is the vice president for Portal Software in Cupertino, and is a Certified Public Accountant. England received his bachelors degree in accounting from Weber State University, a master's of science degree in taxation from Golden Gate University, and his executive education certificate from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Jack Lucas, 71, has lived in Monte Sereno for 37 years. He is currently the city's mayor as a member of the Monte Sereno City Council. Lucas received an associate degree from Fullerton Community College, a bachelors degree in physical education and general science from San José State University, a masters of art degree in education from San José State University and his Ph.D. in education from the University of Oregon.

Jeffrey Schwartz, 60, has lived in Saratoga for 25 years. He is currently serving a second, non-continuous term for the West Valley­Mission College Board of Trustees, and works within criminal justice management as a psychologist. Schwartz received a bachelors degree in chemistry from Western Reserve University and a masters of art degree and Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Denver University.

Donald Wolfe, 68, has lived in Saratoga for 11 years. He is the executive director of the nonprofit Silicon Valley Citizens against Lawsuit Abuse group. He is serving his first year as a board trustee. Wolfe received his bachelors degree in business administration from City University of New York.


The stadium

There are several key issues at the heart of the election. In particular, the long waged West Valley College stadium debate presses to the forefront.

"The stadium is a done deal, it's over," Lucas said. "I don't have much feeling about the stadium, although I do think that a large stadium would not have been in character with the neighborhood."

"The district has to solve its conflict with the city of Saratoga and the communities surrounding the college," Schwartz said. "It has been destructive to the district, and it is a problem that needs to be solved."

Wolfe is the most adamant about wanting a stadium. "Any college institution deserves a reasonable athletic facility. I felt the configuration of the stadium was appropriate," he said. "Saratoga has been enhanced immeasurably by the presence of West Valley. It has increased real estate values and educational opportunities. Youngsters having fun in athletics is what youngsters are supposed to be doing."

England believes it was unfortunate that last year's Measure E bond measure did not pass because work is desperately needed on campus. However, "the district made an agreement not to build, so we now need to accept that and look for creative solutions that meet the needs of all involved," he said.

All of the candidates are supportive of the newly created taskforce comprised of district staff, citizens and city officials, and the positive outlook of the new district chancellor Stan Arterberry.


Wolfe a political activist

District budgeting, funding for the community colleges and class availability are key issues that the candidates face during this election. Wolfe, who was president of the board from 1993 to '94 and on the Saratoga City Council from 1994-1998, sees himself as a political activist who "served when the people called," and explains his reason for running again due to "realizing the job wasn't done."

He believes "there is nothing more important than advancing the educational system, especially when competing with the rest of the world."

His key concerns are paying competitive wages to faculty and staff, restoring funds taken from state budget cuts, spending less on bureaucracy and ensuring a varied, in-depth education is available.

In order to save money and consolidate funds, Wolfe looks to issues such as relocating burrowing owls on campus, which "take up millions of educational dollars. We should leave it up to the Department of Fish and Game or the EPA (environmental protection agency) to worry about those issues," he said.

Wolfe also believes the district spends too much on report documents, enabling a building of "bureaucratic infrastructure that develops little more than paper."

Another proposal is to consolidate the county, which houses 37 districts and 15 cities. "Why not just have one city, one district and save tens of millions of dollars?"

Wolfe is resolute in his passion for his board position, having enjoyed the "exhilarating four years that provided me the opportunity to speak out and better the institution." He believes the district needs to focus more on global education and keeping up with local technologies, as well as instituting American values.


Lucas a local mayor

Lucas has been in local politics for nearly 20 years and believes this will help him as a trustee. "I pride myself as a team builder, to bring people to consensus," he said. "I think that is why I've been elected five times in Monte Sereno. I did not plan to run for this board, but the people asked me to do it."

Working in education since the 1950s, including in the Los Gatos­Saratoga Union High School District, Lucas believes his investment in teaching and administration is invaluable to the election.

As a community college graduate, Lucas feels he is "more sensitive to the needs of the community college."

Funding is one of his main concerns, particularly in wanting to build a strong budget for the district, as well as seeking ways to help remove the deficit (which runs in the ballpark of $5 million).

"We need to see what classes can generate revenue. We need to lobby for increasing state funding and search for grants," he said. "Our tuition in this district is one of the lowest, and that could also be looked at."

Transferable class credit is also a priority. "We need to make sure we are meeting the needs of the students, ensuring that classes are transferable."

Lucas offers up his experience in governance, education and people-personality as reasons for his candidacy. "I am good at working with people who are working toward having common goals," he said.


Schwartz has served

Incumbent Schwartz served two terms, the first from 1982 to 1986 and the second term beginning in 1998. He was president of the board from '84 to 85. Schwartz recognizes himself as the regular odd-man-out on the board. He is very straightforward in recognizing the tensions within the board and, although frustrated, he still enjoys working for the district because he "has a passion for education. I care a lot and get satisfaction from working on education issues," he said.

One of Schwartz's key concerns for the district and also for board well being is budgetary problems.

"The financial operations have been in a shambles for the past several years. I am working to straighten that out and continue to face the district's serious problems," he said. "Our accounting procedures are unbelievably bad. The proposed budget and actual expenditures are way off, but no one has seemed to care."

Schwartz believes this perceived problem is unfortunate. "It is discouraging to me that the board does not care and that some members have been indifferent or hostile regarding the budget," he said. "We need to solve our issues and begin to build trust."

Key issues for Schwartz's running, aside from budget and stadium concerns, include public accessibility to board agendas and meetings, ensuring available and transferable courses to students, as well as expanding the curriculum to include global education and senior citizens.

To get information out to the public, Schwartz recommends televising board meeting like the city council does, as well as distributing agendas and keeping detailed minutes of the meetings.

"The board refuses to tape our meetings, and for two years in a row I have proposed motions for televising and they have been rejected," Schwartz said. "The board has been dysfunctional, and they don't want the public to see how board meetings are conducted and how rude some members are to the public."

Schwartz believes he is a good candidate because "I am not there as a ceremonial card. I take my role very seriously and do not automatically agree with the administration," he said. "I ask good questions and hold the district accountable when it is responsible. We need constructive change and that is why I am running."


England has experience England is one of the newer residents as compared to other candidates, but has already had experience with the board. For the past year he has lobbied to prohibit the Valley Transit Authority's move to install an operators facility on campus. "It was inappropriate placement, and I wanted something to be done," he said. "I went through the board, spending a year presenting my case. During that time I saw a need for strong leadership."

England decided to enlist in the election, hoping that his background in business management and accounting could help provide that strength.

"As a CPA, I have 20 years experience with finances. I don't see anyone on the board that has that type of experience," England said. "They need it, they need someone with financial savvy to interpret the numbers."

Three issues are key for England—wider public exposure to the board, resolving in-board dissension and ensuring solid programs for students.

"There needs to be wider exposure to what the board does," he said. "I would like to see the meetings televised, and a wider distribution of board minutes and agendas in order to put the community back into community college."

England does not believe the board has been very effective, especially in its dealings with the community. "The board has been disrespectful and ignorant of public outcry," he said. "Dissension on the board is a major issue—they need to take a collaborative approach, listen to all the board members and make it a fair process."

As a solution, England believes he can help ease tension with his management experience. "I have been responsible for pulling diverse groups together and coming up with solutions. Even when you don't see eye to eye, you need to be willing to discuss fundamental issues in a democratic way," he said.

England would also like to see the district spend more wisely, enabling more classes to be offered to a wider range of people. His father was a farmer who never made it past the ninth grade, which England cites as his reason for "seeing how crucial education is in improving peoples lives."

"I am committed to making a difference for the district. This is not a stepping stone for my political career," England emphasized. "I have a wonderful career and I don't want to change that. I want to add value to the district and help people in the education system."


District 2 candidates

District 2 candidates might live farther from Saratoga, but they are equally as intent on West Valley as they are about Mission College. The stadium issue, among other education issues, is just as intense for candidates Moore and Singh.

Kevin Moore, 38, has lived in Santa Clara County his entire life. He is currently a real estate agent for Gillmore & Associates and part-time screenwriter. Formerly a teacher in area schools, including Archbishop Mitty High School, Moore has also been a community event sponsor. He received an associate degree from West Valley College, a bachelors degree in political science from Chaminade University of Honolulu and is currently finishing work on a graduate degree from Santa Clara University.

Gagan Singh, 25, has lived in Santa Clara for one year, although he has been involved with the district for several years. He is currently an engineer and software developer for Kintana in Sunnyvale and a continuing student at Mission College, where he is a student representative on the board of trustees. Singh received an associate degree from Mission College, and a bachelors degree in electrical engineering and computer science from UC Berkeley. After Berkeley, Singh immediately re-enrolled as a student at Mission College.


Moore a former student

Moore is fond of his time at West Valley, and recognizes this as his reason for returning. "I wanted to come back and try to improve both schools. I think I have a pulse on what kinds of concerns there are for the community colleges and by going to West Valley, I couldn't overlook the needs of the students," he said.

Although Moore is a self-professed "big sports fan," he recognized the stadium was an issue "that needed to be solved," even when he was a student years ago.

"The district made a promise and they need to keep that agreement. The issue needs to be solved," he said. "Stronger outreach into the community is needed and we need to not just talk about working with the community, but figure out how to solve issues and deal with them."

Moore thinks the best solution would be to build the stadium at Mission College.

"Mission College would be great because there is frontage to (Interstate) 101, more fans in Santa Clara would have access and there would be much more exposure."

Transferable credits are the second most important issue for Moore. "Even when I was there it was hard to get classes," he said. "We need to have enough classes for the students and make them available when necessary."

"We also need to prioritize courses that will allow students to transfer to four-year programs," Moore said, "and do that without limiting vocational studies. The firefighter program at Mission is money well spent."

Moore would also like to see more involvement from the board within the district itself.


Singh is eager

Singh is eager to begin initiating education programs at Mission, which he intends to go forth with even if he is not elected. "The district is very close to my heart, and whether I am elected or not, I will keep working for the issues I find important."

The student perspective is key to Singh's running. Although he thoroughly enjoys being at Mission College, he has noticed how certain departments are suffering with budget cuts.

"I have a perspective that allows me to think differently and to see how the boards actions do affect the school and just how they affect the programs," he said.

Singh wants to begin a scholarship program for political science students interested in long term projects as well as a buddy program that links first year students with recently transferred upperclassmen.

"The counselors are ill informed and always understaffed," he said. "They cannot make the one on one connection and so we need to facilitate more advising and connection among the students."

Although Singh is intent on program issues, the stadium is a major concern.

"(The city and district) have spent too long fighting over it," he said. "There are more important issues like the library which needs money and leaky roofs. Is it really worth it to meet opposition about this for the next 35 years when so much else needs attention?"

Singh does not have a specific solution, but believes the taskforce is a move in the right direction.

However, Singh believes that "the issue at hand is bigger than the stadium."

"The bigger issue is the lack of faith and trust between the two parties. It is very hard not to have personal bias, but where does it end? The community and the district will both lose in the end," he said.

"What they need is to build the bridge back, resolve the conflict and find vested interests the community and district can share together."

District financial accountability is also a priority, as Singh accounts being witness to substantial miscalculations.

"The need is bad in both schools and we need to insure no miscalculation happens again," he said. Revenue is a concern, something Singh thinks might be alleviated by looking into long term sources of revenue such as bonds and business partnerships.

Singh, England and Schwartz have teamed up to run together and, like his running mates, Singh emphasizes the lack of cohesion in the board and the need for improved communication.