Sacramento Bee Editorial Board Requested Questions and Answers

By Charlie Massey

These are the questions and answers submitted to the Sacramento Bee

I very much appreciate being able to submit my qualifications and experience to the Editorial Board of the Sacramento Bee for their consideration of my candidacy as a Los Rios Community College District Trustee.

I have some very unique strengths and experience. I have the combination of both private sector successful business experience and successful public sector teaching experience. So I have had the best of both worlds and will bring that experience and capability to the Board.

I am attaching my resume to this submission. Please take a look at my business experience and you will see it is extensive and I have been very successful.

I am also attaching feedback from my students which I taught at Sacramento State University from a website called sacrate.com. As you will note from their comments I genuinely care about the students and their success. You don't teach students part time for the money (there isn't much!). You do it for your desire to help the students in their educational/career pursuits!

Please call me if I can answer any more questions or give input.

Editorial Board Questions and My Answers
1. The Los Rios Community Colleges board has launched a Regional Educational Centers Plan to create, over the next decade, a system of six mini-campuses of 3,500 to 5,000 students, each attached to a parent community college. The idea is to put these mini-campuses within 5 miles of every potential college student in the district and within walking distance of light rail (as that system is extended). American River College paired with the North Natomas Center mini-campus; Folsom Lake College with the El Dorado Center and Rancho Cordova Center; Cosumnes River College with the Elk Grove/Laguna Center; Sacramento City College with the Davis Center and West Sacramento Center. Do you support the Regional Education Centers plan?

I very much support the concept of "Distributed Education". Expanding the footprint of centers of learning is a very important goal. Regional Education Centers are a key part of that and I do support this plan. I would offer that there are additional things that can be done which should also be considered. My plan would be to further include major businesses and employers in the area to help to further provide smaller centers of learning. An example of this would be to approach Intel and Hewlett Packard, both of which have major facilities and resources in this area. I would ask them to partnership with the Los Rios District and to provide office space which could be converted into Business Satellite Learning Centers. Furthermore I would ask them to provide resources to support the Business Learning Centers. This would also create a feeder pool for job opportunities for the students. I also know that innovative ways of teaching courses remotely through technology could be developed with leading edge business partners. I have the skills and experience that would make this concept a reality.

2. As part of the Regional Education Centers Plan, the board voted to support a partnership with Regional Transit. Do you support this transit partnership?

Yes, I support this partnership. As we examine the transportation infra structure and the distributed Learning Center Plans, decisions could be made which really benefit the students. Availability of transportation and cost of transportation should be a major part of the partnership. I would envision special reduced fares or even free transportation being made available to students. Much of the cost of Regional Transit is fixed; meaning they provide the transportation if there is 1 rider or 50 riders. The goal would be to fill up the "spare capacity" with students traveling to classes at a reduced fare level. This would be a win/win for the students and the Regional Transit. I would be very motivated to make this partnership a real success.

3. Like other California Community Colleges, the Los Rios Community Colleges have had to deny access to students due to reductions in course offerings and lack of resources. This summer the Los Rios Community Colleges had 3,000 fewer students, when they hoped to serve 3,000 more than the previous year. This fall the colleges had 5,000 fewer students, when they hoped to service 5,000 more than the previous year. What thoughts do you have on how community colleges can continue to ensure student access?

I am sure that reduced funding and expenses may have driven a significant part of the course offerings and student reduction. My initial thought are that we need to reach beyond the traditional public funding of the District and connect with the private sector for additional funding and resources. The engine that drives successful businesses is hiring quality people. If we can represent to major businesses in the area, the quality of the students and their education, they will support us. We will need to be able to present that story to key business leaders and ask for their support. I have the experience to do that. I also envision business managers in this area who would be willing to guest lecture and teach which will give additional teaching resources. I have been a guest lecturer for several years so I know it works.

4. Los Rios Community Colleges have launched "GreenForce" to train students in the growing fields of solar technology, sustainable building design and construction, and energy management. Is this a right direction for the colleges to pursue?

This is a very strategic program for the Los Rios Colleges to provide to their students. Alternative energy sources will continue to be a focal point in developing clean energy technology and alternatives to fossil fuels. I continue to relate this to how it will equip students to compete for jobs. Providing a curriculum which allows students to compete in a global economy and in a down California economy is very important. When elected, I will examine the relationships the District has with companies that deal with clear air technology, alternative energy sources to further explore partnership possibilities.

5. In 2008, voters approved a $457 million facility bond measure. In 2002, voters approved a $265 million bond measure. Both expand and improve facilities. Do you support those measures?

Yes, I support the measures. I also support the efficient use of these taxpayer dollars. We need to ensure we have the proper procurement procedures, construction contracts and financial controls in place to properly manage the spending of the money. We need to ensure that there is a rigorous bidding process in place to maximize District value when they undertake a major construction project. We also need to insure that the proper audit processes and quality control processes are in place.

6. What skills and issues do you hope to contribute to the board over the next four years?

I have the skills and experience that set me apart as the best candidate.

I have a very broad base of private sector business experience. This includes both large corporation and small business experience. I know what training and education is necessary to build a curriculum that will allow students to get good jobs. I also know the teaching environment having been an Adjunct Professor for several semesters. This is a very unique combination. I have a love of working with students. I have the communication skills and the leadership skills to make things happen.

Other issues and plans include:

• Examining the programs we have in place in the District to support Veterans. Establishing new programs as needed to support them.
• I plan on staying involved in the classroom and I would personally guest lecture in classes on Life Skills and How to Succeed in Business.
• I would like to establish a "School of Business" in the District. This would include guest lecturers from the business community and courses on organization, problem solving, ethics, communication and Leadership.
• I would establish a mentor program to assist students in getting jobs

Respectfully submitted,

Charlie Massey 761-4936 masseycharles@comcast.net