Budget on the Minds of College Presidential Candidates

held public forums Thursday for finalists in the running to become the college's new president.

The four candidates gave presentations, followed by a question-and-answer session for students, faculty and staff. College officials have been searching for a president since September, after President DeRionne Pollard resigned in May to accept a position in Maryland.

has been serving as the college's interim president.

Chancellor Joel Kinnamon will interview each of the candidates Friday. The district's board of trustees is scheduled to name the college's president in early March.

Here are the four finalists and a recap of what they focused on at Thursday's forums:

Stephen Schoonmaker

Stephen Schoonmaker, vice president of instruction at Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Ore., spoke first, introducing himself as “a budgetary conservative and a programmatic progressive.”

He emphasized the need to keep the college as accessible as possible to current and incoming students.

“(Community colleges) are the workhorse of education in this country,” he said. “We need to make sure we’re seamless with the K-12 system.”

When asked about his experience in managing budgets, Schoonmaker said he has never “overrun” a budget before but has assisted others with budget problems, citing Clatsop Community College’s 17 percent budget cut this year.

“Budgets are realities,” he said. “I don’t see numbers. I see people.”

Kimberly Perry

Kimberly Perry, vice president of academic affairs at Los Angeles City College, spoke after Schoonmaker, mirroring his comments about students.

“There are some things we know (about LPC) that can’t be put into a number,” she said.

Also asked by an audience member about budget managing experience, Perry cited her role in working with Los Angeles City College’s budget in light of recent cuts as a result of the statewide budget crisis.

She added that as president she would aim at communicating with the campus’ various stakeholders.

“One of the mechanisms I’ve used before is creating pockets of multiple focus groups which represent all constituency groups," she said.

Joseph Olson

Joseph Olson, vice president for military, community and economic development at Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree, emphasized accessibility to students and faculty.

“A president is the face of the campus … the ambassador for the campus,” he said.

He also cited many of the campus’ programs and organizations, such as the Early Childhood Development Center and athletic programs, as important aspects of campus life.

“We provide an essential function with (Early Childhood Development) services,” he said.

Olson added that, as president, he would focus on being accessible to communities outside the campus in order to promote the college and raise funds.

“A president these days has to walk a fine line between focusing on the external community and focusing on the internal community,” he said.

Kevin Trutna

Kevin Trutna, vice president for academic and student services at Yuba College in Marysville, spoke last.

He concluded the public forum with a briefer, more light-hearted presentation.

When asked about LPC’s budget shortfalls and limited class availability, Trutna responded, “It sucks. Sorry.”

With a sober expression, Trutna said that although community college should be accessible to everyone, cuts would likely be inevitable given state budget cuts.

“We have a reduced workload,” he said. “This is what tears my heart out…going to community colleges to say, ‘I’m going to limit who gets an education.’ ”

Trutna also advocated the need for sports in conjunction with student success at LPC.

“I have a dedication,” he said. “I like what I do and I like helping students.”