Ruth has regularly attended the Board of Trustee’s meetings and has a keen awareness of the state of crisis the college now faces. He has also taken classes at WCC. Working as volunteers, board members are dedicated to the good of our community through committing time, energy, and personal resources to the work of the College. We’d be honored to have you on the team. Fleming does not make meaningful contributions to discussions on the substantive issues the Board considers. The term of office is four years, and members are elected by the voters in the trustee area they represent. They are incumbents David DeVarti, Christina Fleming, Ruth Hatcher and challenger Martin Thomas. Ingham County. The possibility of a "recovery" from COVID-19 in Washtenaw County is exciting. Ms. Fleming declined to respond to my invitation to speak directly to prospective voters, so I’ll examine her record as a WCC Trustee over the last 5½ years. Today we share the candidates’ responses to question four: The elimination of the … Ruth dedicated over 30 years of service to college with an unwavering commitment to student success. The Clerk/Register’s office is available to the public in-person by appointment, only, in order to allow us to serve the public while carefully adhering to social distancing guidelines designed to protect the health of the public and staff.. We encourage you to access our services online or by mail unless it is necessary to visit us in-person. Oakland Community College is governed by a seven-person Board of Trustees. Her overall meeting attendance record is 96.25%. She does not appear to exercise any authentic oversight or allegiance to the Washtenaw County taxpayers. WCC Trustee Christina Fleming rarely contributes to discussions at monthly meetings, which should be a significant red flag for taxpayers who expect real oversight. He views faculty as the key to student success at the college and values how their efforts result in what he refers to as the final product, that is, educated, graduated students. If bringing change to the Board was her goal in 2014, voting “Yes” on everything has been a poor strategy to achieve that. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. (This list was last updated 9/2/2020 and reflects decisions taken through the 9/1/2020 delegate body meeting and the 8/20/2020 MI AFL-CIO general board meeting. STAY … _____ David Fitzpatrick’s notes for September 27, 2016. Three seats on the Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees will be up for grabs during the Nov. 4 election and nearly half of the candidates on the ballot will be … Yesterday, I looked at the impact of COVID-19 on recent high school graduates. When asked about outsourcing and consultants, he stated that he values the college’s internal resources and would prefer to capitalize on faculty and staff expertise whenever possible. Daniel Williams . Harrison Township. Since her election to the Board, it is clear that Fleming has done more damage than good. He encouraged faculty to continue reaching out to board members and invited us to contact him personally. The four-candidate race also includes Martin Thomas, manager of … — The Times endorses one incumbent and three newcomers for the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees. Endorsements made by the state or national federation are included for informational purposes and are… Each candidate has expressed that they fully support our commitment to provide educational excellence to … a $26M no-bid outsourcing contract for IT services, operational funds to pay the “Advanced Transportation Center” loan debts, WCC millions more than it had paid for IT services, discard a fully developed, fully functional website, an enthusiastic cheerleader for the WCC Administration, facilitated the creation of a structural deficit, clearly unprepared to guard the taxpayers’ substantial investment in Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees, More posts in 2020 WCC Trustee Candidates », Yes, the 2020 WCC Trustee election matters, WCC Board of Trustees Candidate Ruth Hatcher, WCC Board of Trustees Candidate David DeVarti, WCC Board of Trustees Candidate Martin Thomas, Student loan regulations argue for free community college, Retract the WCC press release on IT outsourcing, WCC Trustee oversight more critical than ever, Real estate development plans haven’t gone away, The mixed messages of free community college tuition, WCC’s survival depends on Trustee oversight, A reckoning is approaching higher education, More posts in WCC Conference Center and Hotel », WCC should not miss enrollment opportunities, Community college as infrastructure takes on new significance. Despite her self-proclaimed technology expertise, Fleming voted to eliminate the jobs of 31 highly qualified IT professionals. DONATE. All Richland Community College Board of Trustees meetings will occur in the Board Room on the Campus of Richland Community College (Room N154), unless otherwise noted. This table shows the reimbursement requests submitted by WCC Trustee Christina Fleming for Board-related business, through December 31, 2019. She also attempted to write off a full-blown plan (complete with site information) for a hotel and conference center in the new, $225,000 Master Plan as “just a suggestion.”. DeVarti describes himself as a progressive political activist and finds the current Board of Trustees responsible for the current state of affairs at the college. He further states that it may be necessary to consider the termination of those individuals that are at the core of these unresolved issues that are compromising the health and integrity of our college. Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees (three seats, nonpartisan) Dave DeVarti. ( Log Out /  Given Ruth’s expansive knowledge of our college’s history and its inner workings, she possesses the institutional knowledge necessary to recognize the issues most important to faculty, as well as those of the administration, and the wisdom to provide guidance and insight during these tumultuous times. Each candidate has expressed that they fully support our commitment to provide educational excellence to our community. During her long tenure at WCC she held several positions, including Full-time Professional Faculty and Department Chair of the English department, Interim Dean of Humanities, Interim Vice President of Instruction, and President of the faculty union, the WCCEA. The three candidates where chosen based on their responses to several interview questions that in our belief, provided a measure of the necessary leadership qualities that will play a key supportive role in the decision making process involving the future of Washtenaw Community College. Mark Freeman has served on the WCC Board of Trustees since 2009 and is currently the board secretary. ( Log Out /  Fleming supported the use of operational funds to pay the “Advanced Transportation Center” loan debts. Board members are elected officials who serve six-year terms without compensation. Good Evening. These endorsements are from the individuals listed and unless explicitly stated, should not be perceived as an official endorsement from the organizations they represent. She does not appear to exercise any authentic oversight or allegiance to the Washtenaw County taxpayers. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The Board does travel to additional locations 1-2 times per year, including areas like the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center, an extension of Richland Community College. Fleming has supported every new executive hire since she arrived. Last month, we asked our readers what issues they wanted to hear the candidates running for local office address ahead of the August primary. Grand Rapids Community College Board Trustee. Help out a standing committee throughout the year, work on campaigns, or network with other organizations. Victor … This year our committee included WCCEA members, MEA-OPT members, an AFCSME 1921 member(our WCC grounds and maintenance group) as well as a representative from HVCLC, the Huron Valley Central Labor Council. BECOME A VOLUNTEER. The... What if Ann Arbor weren’t a rich community? 30th Circuit Court Judge. Her approach as a board member would focus on transparency and student success, as well as budgeting priorities and the importance of maintaining a quality education. Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner Diana McKnight-Morton, Trustee, Washtenaw Community College Dr. Mandy Grewal, Supervisor, Pittsfield Township Brenda Stumbo, Supervisor, Ypsilanti Township Patricia Tupacz Scribner, Treasurer, Pittsfield Township Mike Moran, Supervisor, Ann Arbor Township Mayor John Hieftje, Fmr. in English. Endorsement: Hoffman, Anderson, Henderson and Han for LACCD - Los Angeles Times Ruth Hatcher: LANSING — Candidates running for a spot on the Lansing Community College Board of Trustees want to see more students enroll not just to study but to finish. But what if it weren't? Voters should send Christina Fleming home on November 3, 2020. I was a Monterey county resident for 15 years prior. Fleming’s voting record since 2015 shows the following: Analysis: During her tenure on the WCC Board of Trustees, Christina Fleming has transformed herself into a thoroughly reliable “Yes” vote for the Administration. One was in opposition to raising tuition in 2015. Christina Fleming. View our full list of endorsers here. Board of Trustees; Meetings and Announcements; Board Elections; Candidate Campaign Documents Currently selected; Agenda Archives ; EPCC > Administration > Board Of Trustees > Candidate Campaign Documents. Barb Byrum. **Data reflects meetings through June 30, 2020. Help keep the website running, the office lights shining, and flyers flying with a one-time or reoccurring financial contribution. Ingham County Clerk. David DeVarti: At the board table they are there to set policy, provide financial oversight and support the goals of the College, while respecting the roles of the administration, faculty and staff. Washtenaw Community College Education Association, WCC Board of Trustees: May 27, 2014 Speeches, WCCEA Faculty Union Cares: Student Emergency Fund. **There were 2 additional Special Meetings in 2018, but the minutes were not published. We asked each candidate the same questions. The board defines the vision of the college, serves as a liaison between the colle ge and the community, approves annual budgets and sets policies, among other responsibilities. He is in strong support of underprivileged students having accessible and affordable education, as well as more detailed metrics on how to define student success. At 4.09%, Fleming’s “missed vote” percentage is lower than the combined average for the entire Board. Real change starts with you. David DeVarti is a former Ann Arbor City Council member and served on the city planning commission and Downtown Development Authority. She also supported the establishment of an armed police force on campus. WCCWatch: Martin Thomas | WCCWatch: David DeVarti | WCCWatch: Ruth Hatcher. By Eileen Peck on September 8, 2020 In the November 3, 2020 election, three Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustee seats are open. She does not ask questions and has approved every spending request since 2016. The candidates are listed in the order of votes received: While the Area 1 race is now uncontested, in Area 5, three candidates vie to represent Redwood City, East Palo Alto and part of Menlo Park. Change ). * Through June 30, 2020. The 2020 elections will bring new faces to the San Mateo Community College Board of Trustees. Submitted by Justin Carter, WCCEA Delegate. Mosallam earned an engineering arts degree, graduating Cum Laude, while playing on the MSU football team from 1992 through 1996. In her recent retirement, Ruth has continued to be a strong supporter of faculty and has helped provide guidance and insight as we’ve faced several difficult decisions in recent years under President Bellanca’s leadership. I served as an ad hoc counselor at De Anza College in 97-98. Published in 2020 WCC Trustee Candidates, Board of Trustees, Christina Fleming, David DeVarti, IT Outsourcing, Martin Thomas, News, Ruth Hatcher, WCC Budget, WCC Conference Center and Hotel, WCC structural deficit and WCC Watch. Learn about Anna Zinkel's Policies. The Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees candidate for the 11/8/16 election that you can trust; Anna Zinkel. … I first met Ernesto while I served as the English Department Chair at Tecumseh High School in 2005. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Washtenaw County Democratic Party Real change starts locally. Three seats on the WCC board of trustees are open, with several board members running for reelection this Nov. 3. There are four candidates for these seats. According to a pair of 2014 articles from MLive: … Fleming is a web developer who thinks she can offer a unique perspective of the college to the board. Brian Mosallam was elected to the MSU Board of Trustees for an eight-year term beginning January 1, 2013. Christina Fleming did not complete the brief questionnaire at Vote411, but you can view the other candidates’ responses here. Last month, I provided WCC Trustee candidate Christina Fleming with a series of questions, which you can see here. He has taken several classes at WCC, worked successfully with the WCC Foundation, and continues to be a constant presence as a trustee on campus. Our community college system is dysfunctional. Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees Member.Vote for not more than 3. I’m a Santa Cruz county resident since 1998. Fleming has attempted to whitewash other Trustees’ inquiries regarding oversight of the Police Academy. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. “Trustees are elected to represent the best interests of everyone in Washtenaw County. Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Since 2015, she has missed a total of 26 votes. Ruth Hatcher. Her attendance record at WCC Board Meetings was as follows: * Meeting notes are not available for the April 28, 2016 meeting. AUTHORITY - REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN A Proposal Authorizing the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) to Levy an Assessment Trustees serve as volunteers and are not paid for their services. The seven elected members of the MiraCosta College Board of Trustees each represent and must reside in a specific area of the college district. Based on the (ample) input we received, we developed a five-item questionnaire for candidates running for Johnson County Community College board of trustees. “Without hesitation, I endorse my former colleague and friend of fifteen years, Ernesto Querijero, as a trustee for the Ann Arbor School Board. The year-end FY19 budget included $8,109,460 for IT costs. Analysis: Since 2015, all WCC Board members combined have missed 7.51% of the votes they could have cast, had they been present at the time of the vote. According to Devarti, his commitment is to the students, staff, faculty, taxpayers, and community leaders. Academic Influence released its first-ever ranking of US community colleges, and WCC ranked near the bottom of community colleges in Michigan. During her 5½ years on the Board, she has cast a grand total of three “No” votes. If you believe the WCC Administration, Ann Arbor is a rich community. You can learn more about the Trustees, view meeting schedules and agendas and documents and find a list of Board Policies with a click of your mouse. Martin Thomas. BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBER - OAKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE (Vote for not more than 3) Pam Jackson Max C. Milstein Emily Mixter PROPOSAL SECTION. She seems to have bought into the idea that the Board of Trustees is in place to “advise” the College president. Additionally, she supported a $26M no-bid outsourcing contract for IT services, then used the opportunity to publicly insult the IT staff she just voted to terminate. Candidate Campaign Documents Type Candidate Name Date Received Document Type Election Year: 2021 ‎(2) District: 2 ‎(1) District: 3 ‎(1) Election Year: 2019 ‎(41) District: 4 ‎(18) D The three candidates where chosen based on their responses to several interview questions that in our belief, provided a measure of the necessary leadership qualities that will play a key supportive role in the decision making process involving the future of Washtenaw Community College. Because of her experience as technology professional, Fleming says she can help the board stay in front of changes in technology. It also forced WCC to discard a fully developed, fully functional website because the new IT provider couldn’t support it. The other two were against the nominations of two other Board members to officers’ positions. Volunteer. Brandon Waddell. Board of Trustees Member, Washtenaw Community College (vote for no more than TWO): There are 10 candidates running for 2 six-year terms on the board. See a chart that indicates when each Dallas College board member’s term expires. During his interview, Mark expressed that the current board dynamics need to change and that he strongly supports the addition of more teachers to the BOT. She also spear-headed several collaborative initiatives and promoted mutual respect among all constituencies within of the college community, never losing site of the college’s core mission. Christina Fleming has become an enthusiastic cheerleader for the WCC Administration. Rhonda Warner. DeVarti, Fleming and Hatcher each ran on a platform of bringing change to the board especially when it comes to the current communication problem between faculty and administration. She has facilitated the creation of a structural deficit at one of the best-funded community colleges in Michigan. From the glib assessments of special presentations at Board Meetings and periodic self-serving commentary, it’s hard to see how Fleming has made any positive contributions while sitting on the Board. She authorized unrestricted catering services for WCC executives. It will also require a lot of work, especially on WCC's part. In August, the WCAT’s interview team met for half an hour with each of the ten Ann Arbor Public School Board of Trustees candidates for the November 4, 2014 election. Fleming has attempted to whitewash other Trustees’ inquiries regarding oversight of the Police Academy. He is a very strong advocate for collaborative communication between the administration, the BOT, and the faculty and believes that those most affected by a decision or new initiative be involved and included from the outset. Donate. I read an article a few weeks ago about a town in Colorado that's counting on its community college to save it. The packet of materials for each Board Meeting is available 48 hours prior to the meeting and is accessible by clicking on the link below. To endorse Eli, simply fill out this form and click “Endorse Eli.” We are hopeful that he will continue to be a rational voice on the BOT in a new term. COVID-19 Clerk/Register Operating Plan. Fleming has attended almost all regular meetings, but did miss two meetings and one retreat in 2019. Meeting Information. Titles are listed for identification purposes only. He is very opposed to any initiative by the administration, the president, or the Board of Trustees that does not involve complete transparency to the stakeholders, including recent efforts of the board to bypass the Open Meetings Act. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Washtenaw Community College was established in 1965, when Washtenaw County voters passed a millage to provide financial support for a countywide community college. 1st District, Ingham County Commissioner. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. And the College must also make an additional $1.5M in technology infrastructure upgrades in FY21 to meet the terms of the managed service contract. Grand Rapids Community College Board Trustee. She attended Earlham College, a Quaker school in Indiana where she earned a B.A. She is unwilling to demand accountability from non-resident College administrators who do little more than dissipate our investment in career and technical education. As a Board of Trustee member, he would also work to craft a resolution to put an end to the current conflict within the college. David Kartsonis candidate for El Camino Community College District Board of Trustees - Trustee Area 4. The October edition of For the Record will highlight the endorsement process for the Board of Trustee candidates — coming soon to your inbox. Ruth does not feel that the college can simply be managed under a business model and fiercely promotes improved communication and collaboration between the faculty, the board, the president, and the administration. The meeting took place, but it is excluded from the data. Classes started in September 1966 on a temporary campus at Willow Run, with 1200 … Mr. DeVarti also voiced a concern over the currently bloated upper administration and the costs associated with such an institutional model. ( Log Out /  Mark Freeman Ruth Hatcher grew up on the south side of Chicago attending both the University of Chicago Lab School and Hyde Park HS. Slightly more than a year later, WCC’s IT costs have exploded under the new managed services contract. COMMUNITY COLLEGE. Mr. Freeman is the only current member of the BOT who has shown any public concern for the issues that faculty have been raising and who had not publicly denigrated those concerns. WCC opened with a 6-member Board of Trustees, a newly-appointed president, and a parcel of land in Ann Arbor and Superior Townships. HVALF has the authority to issue endorsements only in races at the county and local level. WCC Trustee Christina Fleming began her six-year term January 1, 2015. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Note: you can vote for up to THREE of the 4 candidates listed to fill 3 slots on the board. WCC ranks near bottom in Academic Influence rankings, Recovering from COVID-19 in Washtenaw County, every new executive hire since she arrived. Harrison Township Trustee. The race for a seat on the Oakton Community College board of trustees features 13 candidates vying for three seats. It does not serve all the populations of our community. Analysis: During her tenure on the WCC Board of Trustees, Christina Fleming has transformed herself into a thoroughly reliable “Yes” vote for the Administration. Fleming is clearly unprepared to guard the taxpayers’ substantial investment in Washtenaw Community College. The members of the board are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis by voters living within the college district, an area that generally coincides with the boundaries of Oakland County. Candidates for Washtenaw Community College's board of trustees shared their thoughts on offering four-year degrees, campus security and diversity among students and staff at a recent forum. I am pleased to announce that the WCCEA Board of Trustee Endorsement Committee has chosen three candidates to endorse for the 2014 general election. Ruth Hatcher’s institutional knowledge of the college is unparalleled. This ill-considered decision will cost WCC millions more than it had paid for IT services through 2024. Under the new managed services provider, the year-end FY20 budget included $9,096,714 for IT costs. He previously worked as the Director of Government and Community Relations at Washtenaw Community College (WCC), where he is responsible for leading the College’s government and community outreach in coordination with local, state and federal officials, as well as civic leaders and community organizations. Overall meeting attendance record through June 30, 2020: Fleming attended 57 of 59 monthly meetings; 12 of 12 Special Meetings and 8 of 9 Board Retreats. The members are Board Chair Christina Fleming, Trustee Ruth Hatcher and Trustee Dave DeVarti. ( Log Out /  Dr. In 2014, she was elected to the Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees for a six-year term beginning in January, 2015. I served on the Santa Cruz city school board from 2010-2014. Endorsements The following are some of the community leaders who have endorsed Eli Savit for Washtenaw County Prosecutor. Wanda Stokes. 30th Circuit Court Judge. We were impressed by the good will, the intelligence and commitment to public service of all ten candidates. Regular meetings of the College of DuPage Board of Trustees are held once each month on the main campus in Glen Ellyn.