PD Editorial: SRJC board

It's a fact that when the economy turns sour, the importance of community colleges soars. This is particularly true of Santa Rosa Junior College, a local asset of inestimable worth.

Although the JC could be looking at a $2 million to $3 million decline in state revenue in the coming days, enrollment for full-time students is up 7 percent this fall.

In many ways, Santa Rosa Junior College is well prepared for these challenges given its healthy reserves and robust scholarship program -- despite the recent setback for the Doyle scholarship program. The JC also has made a number of infrastructure improvements thanks to a voter-approved bond measure and an administration and Board of Trustees that have kept their eyes on the prize -- education.

On Nov. 4, Santa Rosa voters will be deciding on two of the seven members of the Board of Trustees. All three candidates come with strong qualifications. Top among them is incumbent Rick Call, who has been on the board since 1992 and currently serves as board president. Call has been a tireless servant of the college and its mission. As a member of the board's finance and facilities committees, he's one of the primary reasons the JC has stayed on an even financial keel. With the college losing many faculty and staff members to retirement in the near future, it will be particularly important to hold on to leaders such as Call who have the vision and institutional memory to keep the college on course.

The two challengers are, in effect, competing for the seat vacated by Marsha Vas Dupre, who is running for the Santa Rosa City Council.

One candidate is attorney Don Edgar, a native Santa Rosan and former JC student. Edgar is a proud advocate of the college and has sound ideas about how it can better involve community leaders.

The other candidate is Keith Woods, chief executive officer of the North Coast Builders Exchange. As with Edgar, Woods has a thorough understanding of the JC's attributes and challenges and is forward thinking in his ideas about on how the college can meet the evolving needs of the community.

Both Woods and Edgar would serve the JC well. But on balance, we favor Woods for his knowledge of the local business community and understanding of how the JC can better meet the needs of local employers. Woods' gift for public speaking also would, no doubt, serve the institution well.

For the Santa Rosa Junior College Board of Trustees, The Press Democrat recommends Rick Call and Keith Woods.