At-Large Board Selection

* Assemblyman Tony Cardenas is right to seek legislative solutions to granting various communities representation on the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees (“Bill Seeks End to At-Large Selection of College Board,� Nov. 4), but I think he and his supporters should consider going one step further: allow each district campus to be a district unto itself.

Such an arrangement is not uncommon or unknown, even locally. Glendale College, Santa Monica College and Pasadena City College are among several one-campus college districts in Los Angeles County. In fact, throughout California’s more than 100 community college campuses, large multi-campus districts are rare, limited to the major metropolitan areas of Los Angeles, San Diego and the Bay Area.

Some might say the L.A. district’s existence is necessary so larger, more profitable colleges (such as Valley College) can subsidize smaller campuses (such as Mission College) or financially fledgling campuses (such as Pierce College). I disagree. The average community college outside major metropolitan areas is about the size and scope of Mission and draws on communities that have fewer resources than those surrounding the northeast Valley campus. At the same time, campuses such as Pierce will have to sink or swim on their own merits, and not rely on the success of a nearby sister campus.

MICHAEL HIGBY

North Hollywood