Maggie Fishman is running unopposed for her second term as a Santa Rosa Junior College Board of Trustees member and wants to continue pushing SRJC to serve student concerns.

The Oak Leaf endorses her for re-election for her dedication to opening a dialogue between students and administration.

Fishman moved to Santa Rosa from the East Bay in 1969 and fondly remembers her time at SRJC, declaring community colleges “the last bastion of democracy.”

“It was a time of my own personal maturing,” Fishman said.

After leaving SRJC, Fishman taught government and economics at Montgomery High School and worked in the state legislature.

“It was like all roads led to me running for the board of trustees,” said Fishman, who has chaired the board for two years.

Fishman cited her time working alongside Congressman Jared Huffman, who is running for re-election in California’s Second District.

“You walk in the door of this school, and we will educate you,” Fishman said.

Fishman identified SRJC’s biggest crisis of the moment as the budget situation.

“We need to figure out how to stay fiscally conservative and relevant and still a stellar educational institution.”

Fishman also referenced AB 705, an assembly bill that outlaws placement tests at the college level,  and other top-down changes from the state level as clear challenges for the next semester.

Fishman believes that the solution to the budget crisis lies within the JC community as a whole.

“The magic wand was left at home, so I don’t have the magic solution,” she said. “It shouldn’t be a decision that the board of trustees makes or even the president or the vice presidents make in isolation. It has to be a collective decision.”

Over the past year, Fishman has consistently shown her willingness to help students understand government and to have a voice that is heard.

During the budget crisis, Fishman repeatedly thanked students for coming to board meetings and voicing their concerns.

“Freedom of speech is important,” she said. “We want to hear what you have to say, truly.” Fishman said in a board meeting on March 13. To best serve students in the year to come, SRJC needs a trustee who will respect students and their right to be heard.