by Breeanna Jent on 2014-09-24

Rialto resident Rafael Trujillo, a legislative aide to California State Senator Norma Torres, will run this November to represent the San Bernardino Community College District’s Area 2, which comprises the areas of Rialto, Muscoy and Fontana. “There is a need for leadership and a clear vision,” Trujillo, who described himself as the local candidate for the seat, said. “The residents from my community have been investing in the San Bernardino Community College District for years, but have received very little in return… Although we pay property taxes to the San Bernardino Community College District, only half of the community college students in Area 2 are able to enroll in their courses.” Trujillo, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University, runs for the first time for the college board. “I have attended numerous school board meetings and city council meetings…and fully understand how board policy decisions affect families and students in Rialto, Muscoy and Fontana.” As president of homeowners association Elm Park Community Association and a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Trujillo said, “I also have experience carefully reviewing contracts.” Trujillo said, “By keeping our tax dollars in the classroom, it would allow SBCCD to offer more courses and strengthen the workforce opportunities on campus in order to help our students become more competitive.” Trujillo said he wants to bring on more full-time faculty to the district and help fill “80 unfilled staff positions,” claiming financial aid and academic counselors are left to answer telephones “when they should be advising our students,” creating “frustration” with students who “claim they cannot talk to anyone” about financial aid “and fall through the cracks.” Another issue Trujillo wants to focus on, he explained, is campus safety, implementing working emergency telephones and placing bullet-proof plexiglass to prevent certain cash-handling departments from robbery. “I have dedicated my life to make government work for my community at each level of government,” Trujillo said. “Let’s focus our tax dollars in the classroom and bring a clear vision for success for our community college students.” Trujillo runs against current SBCCD Clerk and Trustee Joseph Williams.