Just a few days before the Aug. 6 election deadline, West Valley­Mission Community College District trustee Joy Atkins thought she was ready to step down from her seat. At 82 years old, Atkins decided she'd let someone else take her place in the upcoming Nov. 2 race.

But after talking it over with her family and receiving support from other board members, Atkins went down to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters office with fellow incumbent and trustee Bob Owens on Aug. 3 and took out the necessary paperwork to file for re-election. She's one of four incumbents who will be running.

Atkins, a board member since 1988, earned her associate of arts degree from West Valley College in Saratoga in 1976. As a product of the system, she's a strong believer in community colleges. She worked as a district employee for 16 years, starting in 1968 in the personnel department and retiring in 1984 from an administrative analyst position.

Candidate statements in 2004 cost about $7,300, marking the most expensive nonpartisan race in Santa Clara County. Atkins said she can't afford a candidate statement and is hoping her experience with the district and as an employee will have value.

"If elected, I'll do my best to serve, and if I'm not elected, I'll do my best to find some other way to serve," she said. "I hope I can make it without a statement."

Trustee Bob Owens said he too plans to seek re-election after finishing his first term on the board.

"The most enjoyable part of the position is interacting with the administration, staff and public," said Owens, of Santa Clara. "It appears that community colleges will play a greater role in upper-division education, as more students are being directed to community colleges, and in career development and enhancement in the areas of health, science and technology."

Trustee Chris Constantin, who is also the former board president, said he's running for re-election as the youngest member of the board.

"Until I finish a job, I don't want to leave," Constantin said, who was elected in 1996.

Constantin, of San Jose, would like to take a closer look at re-establishing the district's middle college program from 1999 for high school students and improving administrative performance measures. He would also like to put his knowledge gained as a board member to work for the board on future issues.

"Serving on the board of trustees has been a tremendous growth experience, bringing an air of accountability and knowing the decisions we make are based on our constituency," he said.

Constantin added that his goals, if elected, include maintaining the district's financial stability, not laying off employees despite budget cuts, establishing better performance measures and retaining stable senior leadership for the district.

Frank Jewett, current vice president of the board and a Campbell resident, said he's running for re-election after serving on the board since 2000. Jewett also ran for election in 1996, but lost by about 1,000 votes.

Jewett represents the Campbell and West San Jose voting area, and his platform includes coming up with more strategies to increase the long-term revenues of the district, aside from any funding the state might provide. He'd also like to enhance the district's national and international education program and create a larger endowment fund with the help of an alumni association. Long-term gifts and planned giving from the community would provide educational programming needed by the district, Jewett said.

Jewett would like to maximize the district's location in the Silicon Valley, with the help of the latest technology and local businesses, allowing students to be better trained to enter the workforce. Jewett said he's committed to helping students even though he doesn't have children in the district.

"I have a real strong passion for education," Jewett said.

As of press time, one additional candidate, Ronald Stasiak, who was not listed with any ballot designation, had also submitted his intent to run in the election.

For more information and updates about candidates, visit www.sccvote.org. For details, candidates can also call 408.299.8639 or visit the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters office, 1555 Berger Dr., Building 2, San Jose.