County School Board candidate speaks

EDITOR,
I, Robert Tosto, am a candidate for the open seat on the Cabrillo College Board of Trustees. I consider myself a nontraditional candidate for these unconventional times. I am an unwilling participant in the “Crash of 2008” and as a consequence have experienced long unemployment and the rigors and anxiety that accompany it. This economic debacle has sensitized me to the pressures that have affected our students and their families. I know the fear of foreclosure and the dread of not being able to pay one’s bills. I believe that I know what it feels like to be one who wants an education but can not afford to attend school. Even more, if one can attend but the classes are closed because of cutbacks, what does one do?
I am running for the seat because of the above-mentioned experience. My qualifications and goals are as follows:
1) 18-year resident of San Lorenzo Valley.
2) A “second-chance” college and law graduate who overcame much to attain his degrees.
3) Long unemployment during this “crash,” which allows me to really feel and understand the effects on Cabrillo students and their families. I know the effects of foreclosures, mortgage modifications and other pertinent stressors on families.
4) A strong desire to advocate for students who are suffering the effects of the cutbacks.
5) Vast experience in leadership roles, such as the 11-year presidency of a homeowners’ association with the requisite problems that inhere during these stressful times.
6) Independent, non-bureaucratic former technical recruiter, business teacher, sales manager, insurance broker and writer. You can be assured that I will not be a “rubber stamp” on the Cabrillo board.
7) Humanistic support for full employment.
9) “Push back” against Sacramento cutbacks in vital educational areas. Scotts Valley campus classes need to be reinstated.
10) A recognition of the value of outstanding teachers.
11) A real internet-based degree program.
12) A dynamic and forceful career-placement service with cold-call outreach to companies.
13) An aggressive endowment program with cold-call outreach to successful Silicon Valley companies.
Robert Tosto, Boulder Creek