Posted by WM
a resident of Menlo Park: Felton Gables
on Nov 2, 2020 at 9:29 am
WM is a registered user.

"In fact, most small businesses will see a reduction in property taxes if the initiative is passed."

How?

Posted by Michael B. Reiner, PhD
a resident of another community
on Nov 2, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Michael B. Reiner, PhD is a registered user.

Vote for John Pimentel

As a former administrator at the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD), faculty member in psychology around the country, and a leader at a number of large community college systems, I believe that John Pimentel is the person best suited to help the District move beyond its affinity for pretty buildings, stop spending your property tax dollars on initiatives with little prospect of improving student success, and requiring assessment of programs so they don't just proliferate without evaluation. 

Having been inside SMCCCD, I saw how the sausage was made. Rather than being data-driven, many efforts are ideologically mandated. For example, I wrote a letter to the editor of the SMDJ about an initiative at Cañada College that described a change in its values from “promoting a campus culture that fosters a climate of inclusivity” to one “more aligned to address anti-Blackness and oppression.” (Web Link

While Black Lives Matter is an important issue, the College has only 3% Black students; Hispanics make up 40% of the student population. Blacks make up only 3% of the County population, while Hispanics comprise 25% and growing. One aspect of equity is looking at the data and distributing resources proportionately. Hispanics are under-represented in key administrative positions as well as faculty. Only 15% of Hispanic students graduate on time, in comparison to 17% Black and 25% White.

While the Board of Trustees talk often about "equity" and serving minoritized students, rarely is the data analyzed to make decisions based on facts. Mr. Pimentel has an empirical perspective, understands the necessity of cost/benefit analysis, but tempers his objective propensity with an understanding heart as he himself went from a CA community college to Harvard Business School. He wants to give others the opportunity to rise above their circumstances and contribute to their community.

Vote for John Pimentel. He will be a trusted SMCCCD Trustee.

-- Michael B. Reiner, PhD, is a higher education consultant and educational researcher. Previously, he was a professor of psychology and college administrator at City University of New York (CUNY), Miami Dade College, the Riverside Community College District, and the San Mateo County Community College District. mreiner32205@gmail.com  LinkedIn: Web Link