SAN MARCOS— After a lengthy discussion, The Telescope has decided to remain neutral on endorsing Roberto Rodriguez. However, the staff did have some goals and advice for him and the rest of the governing board.
At The Telescope, we invited all governing board candidates for an interview, ensuring a fair and transparent process. Each candidate, including Roberto Rodriguez, was asked the same questions. This approach was taken to maintain fairness for all candidates and to provide transparency for our readers.
We, the staff at The Telescope, decided to remain neutral in endorsing a candidate for Area 3. Not because we didn’t think Roberto Rodriguez wasn’t worth an endorsement, but because we were disappointed no one was running against him. Because Rodriguez is running unopposed, he will not be featured on the November ballot.
While we agree with the points discussed in our interview with Rodriguez, not having someone to run against is a missed opportunity to strengthen his plans. And while we understand this is not his fault, it didn’t seem fair to the other candidates we interviewed.
Instead, we wanted to express our hopes and expectations for Roberto Rodriguez and other members of Palomar’s Governing Board.
We expect Rodriguez to uphold his dedication to students and passion for the Palomar College community. We also hope that the Governing Board, and, by extension, Palomar, will prioritize student needs and be more proactive in satisfying those needs.
We, the staff at The Telescope, want to see more of the annual budget used to address the staffing problems on campus. We want to be able to visit the food bank or other student services on campus without fear that it may be closed due to a lack of staff. We want equitable service for all Palomar students, not just those at the San Marcos campus during peak hours.
And ultimately, we want Palomar’s Governing Board to be more proactive and less reactive.
Too often, the embers of a problem at Palomar will be seen, such as the lack of staff or a food contract coming to an end; however, it’s not addressed until it has turned into a roaring blaze.
The staff at The Telescope eagerly anticipates Roberto Rodriguez’s and the rest of Palomar’s Governing Board’s leadership until the next election. We hope this term will be marked by a proactive approach to serving current and future students
Roberto Rodriguez • Oct 4, 2024 at 3:28 pm
Thank you to The Telescope for the thoughtful discussion and for the opportunity to be interviewed by your staff, even without an opponent in the race. While I respect the decision to remain neutral, I understand the disappointment surrounding the unopposed election, though I have to admit I don’t feel quite the same way. That said, I do agree that competition often brings out the best ideas, however I want to reassure you that my commitment to putting students at the center of my decisions on the board is a value I’ve held throughout my long career as an educator.
I fully share the priorities mentioned in the article: addressing staffing concerns, ensuring equitable services across all campuses, and proactively meeting student needs. I truly appreciate the insights and expectations expressed by The Telescope staff, and I remain dedicated to serving all students and the Palomar community.
Thank you again for your transparency and constructive feedback. I look forward to working together with the community to tackle these challenges head-on. As I mentioned in the interview, I’m always happy to make myself available to The Telescope staff if you’d like to discuss board decisions or any issues that come our way in the future.