Steve Rose, Chairman
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Weiss and five others
BY: Steve Rose, Chairman
Far, far below the radar screens of most voters are two upcoming elections that could, in part, determine the future of the Johnson County Community College, a crown jewel whipsawed by recent events.
Early voting began Feb. 7 to select the top six of eight candidates for Community College trustees, with a deadline of Feb. 27. Each voter gets to pick their top three choices. The list of eight will be whittled down to six for an April runoff. The top three will become trustees.
Conspicuously absent from the ballot is the controversial Trustee Elaine Perilla, who, as the former chairman of the Board of Trustees, incurred the wrath of college faculty amid charges that she knew and did not reveal accusations made against former college President Chuck Carlsen, regarding inappropriate behavior with at least one female employee.
The other two incumbent trustees up for re-election are on the ballot. Jon Stewart and Lynn Mitchelson will be defending their handling of the entire controversy and their role in selecting a new president, who is expected to be chosen by current trustees.
The Sun is including the two incumbents among six we have selected to endorse in the primary. The others are Don Weiss, Lorianne Fisher Koneczny, David Nelson and Peter Sam. We will narrow our list to three for the general election.
We are recommending voters refrain from voting for Dwight Sutherland, who is the clear choice of the right-wing, and Joshua Seiden, a student and former editor of the college’s student newspaper.
Our clearest choice is Don Weiss. We expand on his endorsement, because we hold him up as the gold standard for trustee candidates.
Weiss is dean of the Keller Graduate School, part of DeVry University. So he knows something about education and leadership. (He ran for the state school board in November against incumbent John Bacon and, unfortunately, lost.)
Weiss is sympathetic to current trustees, who had to walk a fine line during the recent controversy, protecting personnel privacy while accommodating public interest.
But he is quick to point out that he would have done some things differently.
He has said he would not have launched an open-ended investigation without a budget. The investigation of the Carlsen matter cost taxpayers more than $400,000.
Weiss has said he would have demanded that the results of that investigation be considerably longer than 12 pages and include far more information from the dozens of interviews that took place as part of the investigation.
Weiss has said he would have voted to fund the continuation of the publishing of the student newspaper, The Campus Ledger, over the summer, to continue to report on the controversy, even though past practice had been to shut down the newspaper during the summer.
As to the future, Weiss says it is extremely important to treat faculty, students, and the community with “respect and dignity.”
He says trustees should meet with faculty at least monthly, and meetings with students should be held frequently.
What Weiss identifies as key for this job reflects our priorities, as well: ensuring the president be a strong, visionary leader (“Another Chuck Carlsen without controversy,” as Weiss puts it); the ability to balance the priorities of college administration with faculty and student needs; and to serve as a trustee without an agenda, other than to continue to make this one of the best community colleges anywhere.
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Early voting began Feb. 7 to select the top six of eight candidates for Community College trustees, with a deadline of Feb. 27. Each voter gets to pick their top three choices. The list of eight will be whittled down to six for an April runoff. The top three will become trustees.
Conspicuously absent from the ballot is the controversial Trustee Elaine Perilla, who, as the former chairman of the Board of Trustees, incurred the wrath of college faculty amid charges that she knew and did not reveal accusations made against former college President Chuck Carlsen, regarding inappropriate behavior with at least one female employee.
The other two incumbent trustees up for re-election are on the ballot. Jon Stewart and Lynn Mitchelson will be defending their handling of the entire controversy and their role in selecting a new president, who is expected to be chosen by current trustees.
The Sun is including the two incumbents among six we have selected to endorse in the primary. The others are Don Weiss, Lorianne Fisher Koneczny, David Nelson and Peter Sam. We will narrow our list to three for the general election.
We are recommending voters refrain from voting for Dwight Sutherland, who is the clear choice of the right-wing, and Joshua Seiden, a student and former editor of the college’s student newspaper.
Our clearest choice is Don Weiss. We expand on his endorsement, because we hold him up as the gold standard for trustee candidates.
Weiss is dean of the Keller Graduate School, part of DeVry University. So he knows something about education and leadership. (He ran for the state school board in November against incumbent John Bacon and, unfortunately, lost.)
Weiss is sympathetic to current trustees, who had to walk a fine line during the recent controversy, protecting personnel privacy while accommodating public interest.
But he is quick to point out that he would have done some things differently.
He has said he would not have launched an open-ended investigation without a budget. The investigation of the Carlsen matter cost taxpayers more than $400,000.
Weiss has said he would have demanded that the results of that investigation be considerably longer than 12 pages and include far more information from the dozens of interviews that took place as part of the investigation.
Weiss has said he would have voted to fund the continuation of the publishing of the student newspaper, The Campus Ledger, over the summer, to continue to report on the controversy, even though past practice had been to shut down the newspaper during the summer.
As to the future, Weiss says it is extremely important to treat faculty, students, and the community with “respect and dignity.”
He says trustees should meet with faculty at least monthly, and meetings with students should be held frequently.
What Weiss identifies as key for this job reflects our priorities, as well: ensuring the president be a strong, visionary leader (“Another Chuck Carlsen without controversy,” as Weiss puts it); the ability to balance the priorities of college administration with faculty and student needs; and to serve as a trustee without an agenda, other than to continue to make this one of the best community colleges anywhere.
Comments on "Weiss and five others"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.John Altevogt wrote on Feb 11, 2007 1:53 AM:
" Yes, by all means, follow Rose's advice so you cab continue to have a scandal plagued board that that is a disgrace to the community. One can only wonder how much better Johnson County would be, and how much more money the taxpayers would have in their pockets of the county had an honest newspaper that supported honest candidates. For honesty vote against The Sun. "
Joshua Seiden for Trustee wrote on Feb 10, 2007 1:59 PM:
" We need to remember that first and foremost we are a higher learning institution. We cannot continue sinking money into activities that do not enhance the educational experience for our students. For 2006-2007, $835,000 of the JCCC budget has been earmarked for “Legal Services,” up from $100,000 in 2005-2006. Was the Chuck Carlsen debacle a one-time occurrence, or is another costly calamity lurking around the corner? If mistakes have been made, those responsible must hold themselves accountable and step forward so that our community may press on. "
Joshua Seiden for Trustee wrote on Feb 10, 2007 1:58 PM:
" Every student must be put in the best possible situation to be successful. We must immediately expand the tuition payment plan to include part-time students; a practice Kansas City Kansas Community College has engaged in for years. On the payment deadline for the spring semester, 2,378 students were dropped from classes while only 641 students were enrolled in the tuition payment plan. Currently, the plan is available only to full-time students. The average age for JCCC students is 26, indicating that we’re home to many non-traditional students who likely balance full-time jobs and family responsibilities with education. It’s fair to say that in most cases, these students do not enjoy a great deal of financial flexibility due to the bills an independent adult incurs. We owe them access to first-rate education. "
Rob Hodgkinson wrote on Feb 10, 2007 9:21 AM:
" Time for new ideas and people leading JCCC.
I recommend Lorianne Fisher Koneczny for JCCC Trustee.
Lorianne is active at JCCC, both as a student, mother and as a resident.
Lorianne is an active student senator and, as such, knows the needs and wants list of the college very well. The community college needs to choose a new president and move on to better times. Lorianne’s campus activity includes chairing several committees as a student senator. Both classes and civic work on campus have been keeping Lorianne busy. Lorianne’s proposals are receiving phenomenal support on campus. A good example is the proposal for a smoking policy on campus. Lorianne has ideas for the Green committee projects, support for diversity on campus, promotion of the biotechnology program, and creating a health clinic - all have been positively received by the senate, advisors and the administration.
Lorianne is already deeply involved with campus issues, her passion for quality education really shows. She has been working with the college executives this past semester and they are supportive with the programs she has been working on.
I recommend Lorianne Fisher Koneczny "
Joshua Seiden for Trustee wrote on Feb 8, 2007 9:15 AM:
" I have chosen to run for Trustee for the sole purpose of putting every student in the best possible position to be successful. My principle-driven opinion is not for sale and you can expect my utmost candor. I have declined all party support and campaign donations in this non-partisan election, so I am devoid of any conflicting interests. As I should be, I am beholden solely to the best interests of Johnson County Community College and our community as a whole. We like to say that learning comes first at JCCC and now is the time to ensure that it truly does.
Respectfully,
Joshua Seiden
www.joshuaseiden.blogspot.com "