Darl Drummond: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: GurneeWebsite: http://dedrummond@comcast.netOffice sought: College Of Lake County School Board (6-year Terms)Age: 60Family: SingleOccupation: I am an Educator who recently retired from the College of Lake County as Vice President for Student Development after 15 years of service.Education: Bachelors of Science in Education from Mount Senario College in 1974. Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1975. Credits towards an Ed. D Degree in Community College Leadership and Administration.Civic involvement: Northern Lakes YMCA Board Lake County United Way - Diversity Committee Waukegan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The Links Incorporated Twice named the Most Influential African American in Lake County for Education by Soring Eagle Publications.Elected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Afforbable Tuition: As Vice President for Student Development, I learned that most students are unable to bear the cost of large tuition increases every year. As a Trustee, I will work to keep the College's tuition affordable for the citizens of Lake County. I believe tuition increases should be the last option instead of the first option for generating operational and capital funds. I will work to ensure that tuition increases are conservative to enable students to reach their educational goals at the College.Key Issue 2 Student, Faculty and Staff Advocacy: In my capacity as a Trustee, I will identify ways to hear from students, staff and faculty to understand their needs. I also will advocate for a diverse work and learning environment that is safe, welcoming and provides the academic courses and programs along with the supportive services to enable staff and student to reach their goals.Key Issue 3 Marketing Educational Programs and Services for the Residents of Lake County: The College offers many wonderful academic programs and services that are available to the residents of Lake County. Currently, the College is in the process of branding its image and its message. The College also is using social media to connect with all residents within Lake County. I wholeheartedly support and will strongly advocate for the creation of new and better ways to connect with the residents of Lake County.Questions Answers CLC has been touting so called green initiatives. Is this something you support? Why or why not?It is important for me to see the results from the current green initiatives before committing my support. At this time, there are a lot of balls in the air relating to the green initiatives but I am unaware of any reports that summarizes the measurable, qualitative and quantitative results and outcomes from the academic programs and other green initiatives.With enrollment up at many community colleges, it can be challenging to keep pace as far as available classroom/lab space, the number of qualified teachers and available course work options. How would you manage that?As the former Vice President for Student Development at the College, I played a major role in the development of the College's Master Plan which is to be approved by the Board of Trustees this spring. The Master Plan has undergone a number of critical revisions to ensure that the needs and concerns of faculty, students and staff have been addressed. More specifically, the 3 major divisions of the College including: Educational Affairs, Administrative Affairs and Student Development have worked with their staff to make sure that the plan addresses their space and related staffing needs for the future. As a Trustee, I would manage the plan through the authorization of capital funds to implement the plan. I also will require regular updates to the Board on the implementation timeline, spending and cost savings.Community colleges provide many services to a diverse population. Is there a service your college should be providing that it is not, or reaching a segment of the population that it is not?As the former Vice President for Student Development, I can state that the College does a great job of outreach to the diverse communities in Lake County. However, I would like the College to do a better job of hiring Latino and African American faculty and staff at all levels within the organization. Enrollment growth and student retention issues within the Lation and African American student populations warrent more efforts to hire African American and Latino faculty and staff to reflect the diversity within Lake County. Hiring more African American and Latino faculty and staff also will provide more positive role models for students and staff.Student credit-hours fees have been going up over the past few years. What's your position on the fee structure? Do you think other cuts should be pursued to hold the line on fees? Please elaborate.My knowledge and experience as the Vice President for Student Development at the College of Lake County for the past 15 years has given me a deep and abiding concern for educational access and affordable tuition. Affordable tuition is my highest priority campaign issue because most students are unable to bear the cost of large tuition increases every year. I believe tuition increases should be the last option instead of the first option for generating operational and capital funds. As a Trustee, I will work to ensure that tuition increases are conservative to enable students to reach their educational goals at the College. In doing so, I will require evidence of reallocations and other measures to keep tuition increases low.Is a tax rate increase needed and, if so, how do you justify it?As a home owner, I understand the effect that tax rate increases will have on home owners in Lake County. As a Trustee, I would move conservatively on tax rate increases.