Dorothy Zimmermann - District 3 Candidate

1. Please provide a brief biography that explains your educational and professional background.

I started my higher education at Eastfield Community College. I would have loved to have graduated from Eastfield because I loved the caring and nurturing atmosphere there. I took the basics and went on to UT Dallas for a BS in Accounting. At the time I graduated, the economy was in a full free fall with big oil and real estate laying off not hiring. After looking for a job full time I was finally told that no one needed an accountant for the indigent. I started substituting in mostly high school. I finally got a full time job with an automotive aftermarket company working in customer service. I then got an office manager position with a paper goods company and with that experience I was able to move to a better paying position with a national HVAC company working in customer service with regional dealers and two national accounts.

2. What is the role of the elected Board of Trustees from your perspective? How does that role relate to your individual input as an elected trustee?  How would you describe the efforts that will be necessary to be effective in your role – and what has prepared you to be successful in that role?

The Board of Trustees are to be representatives of their given districts making sure their students and taxpayers are represented in all decisions made by the Board. As a Trustee I intend to make certain that tax dollars are respected not wasted. Education must be the driving force of any spending. I intend to visit campuses and speak to the students. Town hall meetings are also a good idea. Moving our meetings to a better time of day may also help the public be a bit more involved. An effective Trustee is someone who seeks input from the community rather than disregarding it. Traits necessary to be effective include the ability to listen, the desire to engage the public without the track record of elitism that has existed on this board. I am prepared, based on my years of customer service and community service to make my community stronger. I will strengthen my community by being a facilitator and not a dictator.

3. What is the role of the DCCCD in the educational marketplace in Dallas County? What is your agenda to continue to improve the quality and availability of educational programs to the citizens of Dallas County?

I view the role of DCCCD as being the front line of education for all of us who couldn’t afford or accommodate a full four year education. Without Eastfield, I’m not sure where I would have gone to school. Most four year schools were far away and carried a much higher tuition rate. Today, tuition is climbing faster than most students can afford and folks coming back for a second career have found it far more difficult than expected. I hope by keeping down the taxes and not raising tuition, education at DCCCD will be more available to those who can least afford it and help improve education by making sure more educators are appropriately compensated.

4. If elected, how will you advocate for DCCCD students, employees, and colleges, in your dealings with business, the community, other public servants, and voters?

If elected, I will do my best not to continue the poor behavior of the Trustee I will be replacing. I will do my best to be welcoming of all students, taxpayers, voters, employees and all speakers. In the years I have attended the Board meetings, I have seen the present Board member ignore, mislead and talk down to so many people that I will have to work to change the tone on the Board. Again, town hall meetings open to the community should demonstrate a new and open atmosphere.

5. What do you see as the biggest assets, challenges, and opportunities, in the DCCCD? How will you strengthen those assets to meet the challenges and opportunities we face? What particular skills and connections do you bring that can benefit the Board as a whole, and by extension the DCCCD?

The biggest assets for the District are their alums. I’d love to start gatherings of reunions for the

Colleges. The experiences of the alums could work to educate the present students as much as any lecture simply because life experiences in many cases are far more accepted because they are authentic. Opportunities are endless if we unleash the talent we already have and start putting our students to work to build resumes before they finish their tenure with DCCCD. The challenges will be to live within our means and allow the eager to flourish.

 

Frank Millsap - District 3 Candidate

1. Please provide a brief biography that explains your educational and professional background.

AA - Muskogee Junior College, Muskogee, Oklahoma, 1960
BS - Oklahoma State University - Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1962 - Horticulture
MS - Oklahoma State University - Stillwater, Oklahoma, 1962 - Horticulture/Landscape Architecture
Additional Studies - Post Graduate, Oklahoma State, University of Oklahoma, UTD, and ETSU

Assistant County Agent, Oklahoma and Arkansas 1962-1968; Assistant Superintendent Grounds, OU and Superintendent of Grounds, OSU 1969-1973; Richland College Horticulture Instructor and Chair; Eastfield Automotive and Streetrod program; also own Sachse Rod Shop a custom street rod and classic car build and restoration shop.

2. What is the role of the elected Board of Trustees from your perspective? How does that role relate to your individual input as an elected trustee?  How would you describe the efforts that will be necessary to be effective in your role – and what has prepared you to be successful in that role?

The role of the Board of Trustees is so be a good steward of both the fiscal and physical resources of the district as well as provide guidance to the total educational needs of our community. As an elected trustee, it would be my responsibility to represent voters, taxpayers, property owners, and students to ensure DCCCD is meeting the educational goals of the community. In my 40+ years of experience as a faculty member, sponsor of student organizations, and program development in the district, I have gained much insight into meeting the needs of the DCCCD and the community.

3. What is the role of the DCCCD in the educational marketplace in Dallas County? What is your agenda to continue to improve the quality and availability of educational programs to the citizens of Dallas County?

As the District changed its designation from Junior College to Community College, a committment was established to address all the levels of education available to Dallas County residents. Academics, technology, continuing education, adult education, and personal growth and development are all inclusive to the needs of the district in meeting the demands of an ever-changing workforce. As the direction of the community evolves, we should be ready to offer quality programs to meet those needs. Student success should not be measured only by the degree or certificate they acquire; but must also include workplace readiness.

4. If elected, how will you advocate for DCCCD students, employees, and colleges, in your dealings with business, the community, other public servants, and voters?

Students have always been my primary focus as a teacher with the district. Student success should be the main goal and objective for the resources of the district. This obviously requires community support and involvement. As a faculty member, I have served on several committees throughout my years of serve to DCCCD; also, my student have won awards in national events while competing against graduate level students. I have also worked with the 4-year colleges to ensure the transferability of the DCCCD students. As a co-op instructor, I have worked with the business community in place students on the job where they will gain employability skills. My work in the community  involves serving on committees and boards for the City of Sachse and I am an active member of the Sachse Chamber.

5. What do you see as the biggest assets, challenges, and opportunities, in the DCCCD? How will you strengthen those assets to meet the challenges and opportunities we face? What particular skills and connections do you bring that can benefit the Board as a whole, and by extension the DCCCD?

The biggest challenge I see is realizing and recognizing the true difference between wants and needs. Our biggest asset will be to continue offering quality programs to meet the needs of our diverse community in a timely, cost-effective manner. My past record in Program Development and success in the business community and the DCCCD, identifies my connections and abilities to bring support.

Martha Jo Talbot - District 4 Candidate

1. Please provide a brief biography that explains your educational and professional background.

I earned both of my Bachelor,s and Master's of Education degrees from East Texas State University, now Texas A&M-commerce. My Bachelor's is a double major in Elementary Education and Library Science. I also completed a Mid-Management Certification and Supervision Certification after my degrees. Then, I attended Lubbock Christian College and Texas Tech University to complete certifications in Secondary English and All-Level Art. I taught all levels or served as an administrator at the secondary level during my 40 year plus career. In central administration, I supervised first year teachers as well as student teachers for several universities. I continue to supervise student teachers for Texas A&M-College Station in the metroplex. I have a passion for education!

2. What is the role of the elected Board of Trustees from your perspective? How does that role relate to your individual input as an elected trustee?  How would you describe the efforts that will be necessary to be effective in your role – and what has prepared you to be successful in that role?

The role of the board is to determine policy, hire the chancellor, approved budget, make decisions in line with the mission statement and goals, be informed about legal issues, and advise the chancellor. My individual position is to be well-informed in all areas and strive to implement the mission statement for student and staff success. My role is not to speak individually but represent the consensus of the board. My efforts to be an informed board member by studying information and materials will lead me to make an informed decision. My background in education, particularly at the high school and college levels prepare me to serve on the Board of Trustees.

3. What is the role of the DCCCD in the educational marketplace in Dallas County? What is your agenda to continue to improve the quality and availability of educational programs to the citizens of Dallas County?

The role of the DCCCD in the educational marketplace of Dallas County is to meet the needs of those students who for whatever personal reasons need to remain in this area. My hope for improving the quality and availability of educational programs is to find revenue and grants to continue these programs along with media coverage and advertising so that citizens and corporations know what is happening in Dallas County Community Colleges. Partnerships should be developed in the career, vocational, and technological area so that job placement for students the next step for them.

4. If elected, how will you advocate for DCCCD students, employees, and colleges, in your dealings with business, the community, other public servants, and voters?

I feel that I have already become an advocate for DCCCD students, staff, programs and colleges during this election. I have learned much and continue to learn. I am already spreading the word about what the Dallas County Community College District offers! When asking individuals and businesses for support, they question me, and I explain what all the system has to offer. I will share the many positives with businesses and acquaintances in the community. I will strive to build relationships with public education institutions, mentoring programs in business, and strive to build relationships with other institutes of learning.

5. What do you see as the biggest assets, challenges, and opportunities, in the DCCCD? How will you strengthen those assets to meet the challenges and opportunities we face? What particular skills and connections do you bring that can benefit the Board as a whole, and by extension the DCCCD?

In the DCCCD, the biggest assets are providing up-to-date technological training and other phases of vocational training, basic skills courses that are challenging, and the concept of "Schools Within A School!" I advocate a strong media campaign to spread the word. The challenge is to find more financial support to maintain and strength in these programs and all programs while taking them into the future.

What I would bring to the Board of Trustees other than the fact that my background is in education is the fact that I am a creative person and also a visionary thinker. I can see the end result first and then figure out how to get there!

Gene Robinson - District 2 Candidate

1. Please provide a brief biography that explains your educational and professional background.

Master of Arts in Teaching, B.S.F.

I am a 23-year veteran employee of the DCCCD, having worked as both PSS and Instructor at Brookhaven and Richland; I spent 23 years at Brookhaven and have 14 years teaching experience also.

2. What is the role of the elected Board of Trustees from your perspective? How does that role relate to your individual input as an elected trustee?  How would you describe the efforts that will be necessary to be effective in your role – and what has prepared you to be successful in that role?

The Role of the Board is to provide quality education at a reasonable price. I want to return the Board's focus to that end. To do that, we will eliminate administrative bloat and needless spending. 23 years watching what's going on from the inside have prepared me.

3. What is the role of the DCCCD in the educational marketplace in Dallas County? What is your agenda to continue to improve the quality and availability of educational programs to the citizens of Dallas County?

Our role is to provide quality instruction at the 2-year level. My agenda is to put the money being spent back into education and to require standards at all levels.

4. If elected, how will you advocate for DCCCD students, employees, and colleges, in your dealings with business, the community, other public servants, and voters?

I will tell them to support the DCCCD, the greatest educational bargain available today. As long as we have solid educational standards in the classroom, that will be an easy sell, the District's reputation will speak for itself.

5. What do you see as the biggest assets, challenges, and opportunities, in the DCCCD? How will you strengthen those assets to meet the challenges and opportunities we face? What particular skills and connections do you bring that can benefit the Board as a whole, and by extension the DCCCD?

Our biggest asset is the ability to provide, quality, transformative, college credit. Biggest challenge - eliminate administrative bloat. Biggest opportunity - return the District to the level of prestige it once had. We will do that be eliminating bloat and restoring standards. I spent my whole career in the District, I know practically everybody, this is my connection.

Find Your DCCCD Board of Trustees District; Register to Vote

The May 7 Joint Election represents an opportunity unprecedented in recent decades for voter input on the DCCCD Board of Trustees. Three incumbent trustees have decided not to seek reelection, and their replacements will be elected by the voters who live in those districts. It is important that Dallas County citizens, including and especially those who work for the DCCCD, vote and involve themselves in the electoral process.

If you are a resident of Dallas County, you can click on this Voter Lookup Link to find your elected officials, including your representative on the DCCCD Board of Trustees. You will need to enter your first name, last name, and date of birth.

If you are a Dallas County resident but are not currently registered to vote, you must register to vote by April 7, 2016, in order to vote in the May 7, 2016 election. For information on how to register to vote, click this Register to Vote Link.

Early voting will be available for registered voters to vote in advance of the official election day of Saturday, May 7. You can find the early voting location closest to your home or campus at the Joint Elections Early Voting Locations PDF Link.

While DCCCD employees who do not live in one of the three DCCCD Trustee districts cannot vote in the May 7 Joint Election, they nevertheless are encouraged to learn more about the candidates and help educate and inform their friends and colleagues who can vote.

This map shows all seven DCCCD trustee districts. Trustees are elected to six year terms. Terms for Districts 1 and 7 expire in 2018. Terms for Districts 5 and 6 expire in 2020. Trustees represent the community in the oversight and governance of the DCCCD.

Four candidates - Richard Morgan, Phil Ritter, J.C. Osborne, and Gene Robinson - seek to succeed the retiring Bob Ferguson in District 2, which includes portions of downtown and North Dallas, and the northwest corner of Dallas County.

Three candidates - Dorothy Zimmerman, Frank Millsap, and Tommy Reed - seek to succeed the retiring Jerry Prater in District 3, which includes much of northeast Dallas County.

Three candidates - Martha Jo Talbot, Monica Lira Bravo, and Brad T. Underwood - seek to succeed the retiring Bill Metzger in District 4, which includes much of east and southeast Dallas County.