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When will the Tehachapi Valleys receive equal access?
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Posted by jrmortensen Tue Sep 25, 2007 09:22:25 PDT
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Attn: Letters to the Editor,

I read with interest the Bakersfield College News Release, dated 6 September, "Bakersfield College and Bolthouse Properties, Announce Donation and Land Purchase”.  The Kern Community College District (KCCD), on behalf of BC, agreed to the acquisition of 126 acres from Bolthouse Properties, LLC, south of Bear Mountain Boulevard along Highway 99.

 

The KCCD board of trustees approved the combination land purchase and donation at their September 6, 2007 meeting.  Bolthouse Properties, LLC has agreed to donate 66 acres to the KCCD in conjunction with the District’s purchase of an adjoining 60 acres, for $60,000 an acre ($3.6 M). 

 

The news release quoted KCCD chancellor, Sandra Serrano, as saying: “As our community continues to grow, so will the need for higher education. Bakersfield College and the KCCD have identified this need and we are working proactively to address it.”

 

BC president Dr. Andrews said, “Bakersfield College understands that our existing Panorama campus is well over a 30 minute drive from south Kern County residents,”

 

Quoting from KCCD Strategic Plan, dated 9-7-06, “The Kern Community College District is committed to providing equal access to relevant learning opportunities across its service area. It is important that the resources necessary for student, system, and institutional success be distributed in a manner that supports this commitment.”

 

I’d like to know:

1.      Is the Tehachapi Valleys area, population 35,000, in KCCD’s service area?

2.      Does BC understand the drive for TV residents to BC’s campus?

3.      When will KCCD’s “equal access to relevant learning opportunities” be provided?

4.   What are our elected representatives doing to get "equal access" to post secondary education in Tehachapi?

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Comment From: WHAM

 A couple of years ago, BC did offer a few basic courses up here. I asked BC about this last year, I was told that there was not enough interest in the community for them to add classes. Those of us who would like to have BC look into Tehachapi for their programs should email the BC President at: wandrews@bakersfieldcollege.edu Maybe if enough of us contact him, he'll take it seriously. Comment From: jrmortensen

Post Secondary Education:      The following letter was mailed to: * KCCD Chancellor Sandra Serrano , * Kay S. Meek - Pres. Board of Trustees, * Dennis L Beebe - Area 2 Trustee, * BC Pres. Dr. William M. Andrews, * Don Maben - Second District Supervisor,

This was in follow-up to my letter to the editor regarding the lack of post secondary education in Tehachapi.

I would also like know your feeling on this matter. Is the Tehachapi Valley area being treated with equity or are we just a bunch of uneducated hicks in a "laid-back mountain community"?

LETTER:   Ref: - http://www.bakersfield.com/...  

"I would appreciate your comments regarding KCCD future expansion plans which address the post secondary educational needs of Tehachapi Area residents. I am aware of your commute concern for students in southwest Bakersfield, northwest Bakersfield, and even some mountain communities outside of Kern County, but what about the educational needs and commute distance for students in the Tehachapi Valleys?

Population growth and increased driving times to the main campus are good reasons for expansion. I agree ideally students shouldn't have to commute more than 20 to 30 minutes to a community college. Students from the Tehachapi Valleys deal with much longer commutes, especially in the winter.

Rapid population growth is not limited to the Bakersfield area. Our “laid-back mountain communities” have and are also experiencing rapid growth and all the infrastructure challenges that come with it. We realize that planning, financial and physical, takes time. We have unmet, and what appears unaddressed post secondary needs now, which with projected growth will get worse. We also voted for and are paying for the Measure G Facility Bonds. So now, the big question: “Where” or “is” the Tehachapi Valley included in your master planning? Equity for the Tehachapi Valley residents is all we're asking.

Sincerely,

James R. Mortensen

Comment From: jrmortensen

After waiting a reasonable period of time for at least a courtesy note from our "public representatives" (I did receive an email & met with Bakersfield College president Dr. Andrews, which I appreciated.) - - - I have concluded that the "leaders" of our community college district and our Tehachapi area public "representatives" prefer to keep us as "laid-back uneducated mountain hicks".  - - Then we won't ask or expect too much from them. But, considering past treatment and representation of Tehachapi, - - maybe that's all we want or deserve.  

I have found that "if you don't ask you don't get". Tehachapi Valley residents don't ask or expect much so that's just what we get - - not much.  Our area pays taxes like the rest of Kern County and the Wind Farms provide large revenues, yet we receive very limited local benefit.  WHY?

What do you think, if that's not too much effort for a "laid- back mountain community"?