...from the FHDA Board President and Chancellor - Measure E

We appreciate the support of everyone who voted for Measure E to restore
and protect core academic courses and career training at Foothill and De
Anza colleges. We’re especially grateful to the community members,
faculty, staff and students who worked so hard as volunteers to pass
Measure E.

The Board of Trustees struggled for months deciding whether to put an
educational funding measure on the ballot. In the end, after seeing
thousands of students unable to get classes they need, the board felt
morally compelled to ask district voters if they would provide temporary
local funding to help offset deep state budget cuts that have hurt so
many students. It is bittersweet that a majority of voters supported
Measure E but that it did not receive the necessary two-thirds approval.

We know how highly our community values education and believe that in
better economic times more residents would have supported this modest,
limited-term parcel tax. Foothill and De Anza colleges will continue to
serve as many students as possible and help them succeed. The board is
committed to responsibly managing the public’s resources and meeting the
educational and training needs of the community. The district will
continue its ongoing efforts to reduce expenses and pursue alternative
funding sources.

Ultimately, Foothill-De Anza’s reputation as one of the most successful
and innovative community colleges in the nation stands on the quality of
our faculty and staff. In the months ahead, we will advocate in
Sacramento for improved funding for California’s community colleges and
work together with our employees to address the district’s fiscal
challenges.

Sincerely,

Bruce Swenson
President Board of Trustees

Linda Thor
Chancellor