Welcome!

I want to thank you for the opportunity and the honor to serve as a Trustee of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District for the last four years. 

During this challenging and rewarding term, I have endeavored to maintain our tradition of academic excellence and to judiciously manage the colleges’ limited resources. 

This November I will be running for re-election to continue my service to the College District and our community.

During my term the Board of Trustees has:

• led a successful bond campaign which will ensure the maintenance and renovation of District facilities for the next fifteen years

• achieved the highest bond rating of any community college district in the state

• hired new presidents for both Foothill and De Anza Colleges

• balanced the budget while ensuring that our faculty and staff were fairly compensated

• increased Foundation assets substantially

• secured our District’s fair share of resources from the State

• focused attention on student mental health services

• implemented a strategy to fund retiree benefits

• collaborated with high school districts on the transition of students from high school to college

• worked with staff to improve students’ success in reaching their goals

Last year I was elected unanimously as president of the Board of Trustees and also chaired the 2006 Bond Measure Campaign. As I begin my reelection campaign all four 

of my colleagues have endorsed me as well as over 100 current and former local elected officials and community leaders.

With your help, I hope to continue my service as a member of the Foothill-De Anza Board of Trustees. My experience as a public servant, educator, corporate manager and community leader has given me a unique combination of skills and the breadth of knowledge needed to be an effective community college trustee.

Appreciatively,

Betsy Bechtel