Voters favored the new candidates for Santa Rosa Junior College’s Board of Trustees, as the three challengers beat incumbent members.
Jordan Burns, Maggie Fishman and Dorothy Battenfeld won the seats held by Robert Burdo, Kathleen Doyle and Don Zumwalt, respectively.
Burns ran against Burdo for West County. Burns received 53.6 percent of the votes while Burdo had 46.1 percent from 15,403 voters.
As a former student trustee, Burns said his experience gave him an insight on how much the board needs progressive ideas and a willingness to listen to the public. He believes that one of the biggest challenges facing SRJC is financial oversight in its budget.
Burns said he can’t be more appreciative of the support that he got and of his campaign team who did well in getting his message out to voters.
Fishman was Doyle’s challenger for South County. Fishman won with 56.0 percent of the votes while Doyle had 43.7 percent from 15,324 voters.
Fishman called for new blood on the Board of Trustees to accommodate the changes and challenges SRJC faces.
“I’m very excited, humbled and ready for a lot of hard work and to serve the students and the JC community as best as I can,” Fishman said.
Battenfeld challenged Zumwalt for Santa Rosa Area 3/4/5. Battenfeld won with 54.2 percent of the votes, while Zumwalt held 45.5 percent of the votes from 32,592 voters.
As an educator, Battenfield stressed that she would expand career programs and strengthen community, school and business partnerships with sustainable economic solutions. She also called for transparency and accountability on the board.
Battenfeld said she’s very excited and grateful to voters and her supporters.
Don Zumwalt expressed disappointment for not being re-elected. As a member of the board for the past 20 years, he’s led environmental stability initiatives and efforts to open the B. Robert Burdo Culinary Arts Center, Doyle Library and Zumwalt Parking Pavilion.
“This run was going to be my last four years. I was going to go out when the JC turns 100,” Zumwalt said. “I’m disappointed, but I understand. I wish everybody the best. The JC is a great junior college. They have great students and teachers. It was a privilege for me to be of service.”
President of Associated Student Senate, Joshua Pinuala, said he’s happy with the new board. He said seeing three challengers elected sends a clear message that the community is ready for a change. Having a past student trustee and 2 educators on the board is ideal, Pinuala said.
“I think we’re going to be heard more,” Pinuala said. “When things come to the board we’re going to have a better perspective of how decision making will affect the college.”