THE RACE FOR COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Angelique Flores

Armando Ruiz is a board member of the Coast Community College

District’s Board of Trustees, a district he said is doing a “great job”

teaching the basics for transfer and vocational education.

“Now we must do more,” he added. “We must teach the basics for the

21st century, the basics that prepare Coast students for new jobs in high

technology and electronic communications.”

Ruiz earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of

Texas at El Paso.

His goals for the next four years are to ensure tax dollars and

partnership funding continue to enhance classroom education and support

outstanding teachers. He also hopes to work with the state, as well as

business and community leaders, on programs that respond to local

education needs.

“Coast’s success is no accident. It’s a team effort involving

dedicated teachers, committed students and decisive board leadership,” he

said.

BIO

ARMANDO RUIZ

* Age: 57

* Family: Married

* Community Activism: Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce, Orange

County Hispanic Chamber, United Way, Soccer Booster Club at Huntington

Beach High School, regional director for Fountain Valley Youth Baseball,

Sister Cities Assn. of Huntington Beach, California Community College

Trustees Assn. Board of Directors and Assn. of Community College Trustees

* Contact: (714) 438-4848

ARMANDO R. RUIZ ON:

* THE DISTRICT’S BIGGEST CHALLENGES:

“Our biggest future challenge for Coast is commitment to quality

classroom education with the ever-increasing pressure for higher

salaries.”

To be competitive in this economy, Ruiz said the district must raise

its entry salaries to attract highly qualified teachers who could make

more money in private enterprise.

“Over the last few years, Coast has been able to raise salaries by

over 20%. We must do even more by petitioning Sacramento for our fair

share of the education dollars.”

* THE DISTRICT’S SPENDING PRACTICES:

“Unequivocally, Coast district’s primary commitment is to quality

education and to its students. Our budget reflects that commitment -- 15%

goes to maintenance, supplies and facilities; 82% goes for teacher

salaries and support staff; and 3% goes to pay for administrative costs,

which is a very, very low percentage given the size of Coast’s budget.”