PD Editorial: A proven leader for SRJC’s second century

Santa Rosa Junior College marked its centennial year with its largest graduating class - 1,775 students. Among them, they earned 2,370 associates degrees.

The men and women of the Class of 2018 are headed toward new horizons. So is SRJC.

The school is in the early stages of a $410 million construction and rehabilitation program. At the same time, it is eliminating non-credit remedial programs and implementing other curriculum changes intended to help more students finish associates degrees and certificate programs, or seamlessly transfer to four-year universities. Both will require oversight from the administration and the trustees.

They also must respond to California's need for more college- educated workers while grappling with a budget shortfall that nearly resulted in cancelation of summer classes; competition from the state's online community college program; declining enrollment, exacerbated by a sharp drop after last year's fires; and a tight housing market for prospective employees and students alike.

Four of the seven seats on the SRJC board of trustees come up for election this year, and three first-term incumbents are running unopposed.

The fourth seat is held by vintner Jeff Kunde of Kenwood, an SRJC graduate and onetime adjunct instructor who has served on the board for 12 years. His opponent is Sonoma attorney John Kelly, a first-term Sonoma Valley Unified School District trustee.

With his long record of service, thorough understanding of SRJC's mission and finances and commitment to collaboration, Kunde is the clear choice for this seat.

“We need to right size,” he said, acknowledging the tough choices ahead as the board must close a $6 million deficit in its $160 million budget. Kunde's opposition to project labor agreements for campus building projects is an example of his stewardship of public funds.

Kunde is complimentary of his fellow trustees, four of whom are serving their first terms, and SRJC President Frank Chong. An impressive list of current and former SRJC board members, administrators and employees support his re-election. So do numerous school board members and elected officials from throughout the county.

Kelly, his opponent in the Nov. 6 election, is an energetic young lawyer who grew up in Sonoma County. He has strong backing from organized labor and promises to focus on college affordability and housing. He suggests that school bonds, which require 55 percent instead of a two-thirds majority, could be a source of financing for student and staff housing.

Voters approved Measure H, the largest bond act in Sonoma County history, four years ago to pay for SRJC improvements. We think it's too soon to be considering more debt.

We also have reservations about Kelly's temperament. His clash with a Sonoma Valley school administrator resulted in a complaint alleging that Kelly created a hostile work environment. An internal investigation credited him with raising important issues but concluded that his tactics were harmful to the Sonoma Valley school district.

Kelly made a public apology. That's commendable. But the incident suggests that he would benefit from more experience on his local school board before seeking another office.

As Santa Rosa Junior College begins its second century, it remains the largest educational institution in Sonoma County and the county's fifth-largest employer. It continues to turn up on lists of the nation's best community colleges.

To continue that tradition, SRJC needs experienced and collaborative leaders to meet its financial challenges and fulfill its educational mission.

The Press Democrat recommends Jeff Kunde for the Sonoma Valley seat on the SRJC board of trustees.

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