Political Science Club hosts forum of candidates for the Board of Trustees
By Jesus Alcala-Avalos
The Political Science Club, with the help of Student Life & Development, held a forum for the candidates for the Board of Trustees of Mt. San Jacinto College on October 15th and 16th.
The Board of Trustees controls the budget and policies that MSJC will follows in planning and administration. This year, three of the five members of the board are up for election.
This year’s national general election will be held on November 3rd. Those in California’s Riverside County will be able to vote in-person as early as October 31st.
James Crawford was the moderator and main organizer of the forums. The Political Science Club prepared questions and Crawford sent them to the candidates in advance of the forum.
The first forum involved the candidates competing in Area 2: John Bragg, Dorothy Jean McGargill, and Joshua Pablo Rivera. Tom Ashley was also present but did not have any opponents for Area 5.
Bragg has served on the Valley-Wide Board of Directors for 12 years and works as a math teacher in the Hemet Unified School District. As a former student of MSJC, Bragg wants to improve the student experience from registration to graduation.
McGargill has been the representative of Area 2 for the last 16 years. McGargill was initially appointed but has since won 4 elections. McGargill believes that MSJC is one of the communities most important assets and wants to be a part of what is next for MSJC.
Rivera has served in the US Navy and is part of his community’s sustainable farming program. Rivera believes in the power of unity and wants to work with staff, faculty, and classified to ensure that students have all they need to succeed.
Ashley is unopposed this election but attended the forum. Ashley has been the Area 5 representative for the past eight years. Ashley appreciates the value of community college and wants to remain on the board.
The second forum involved the candidates competing in Area 1: Edison Gomez-Krauss, Brian Sylva, and Joseph Williams.
Gomez-Krauss, ESL Teacher from Anza, believes that the board of trustees should be responsive to the concerns of students. Gomez-Krauss wants to increase the graduation rate, make MSJC a safe space, and promote the voice of students.
Sylva, referenced his experience and actions taken as board member in Beaumont Unified School District. Sylva believes that MSJC is on the right path and wants to stay on that path while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Williams, Director of Technology at Perris Union High School District, wants MSJC to offer more courses online and to invest in technology for distance learning. Williams also wants to increase accessibility to the technology required for distance learning.
