On the ballot in November are candidates for Orange County’s community college board. And every now and then, something on the campaign trail flashes up and needs attention to be called to it.
And in the South County Community College board elections, Capo Unified’s Gila Jones, who has the endorsements from Orange County’s Democratic organizations, is making a run against John Black, a former Marine with all the endorsements from OC’s Republican organizations.
The central difference between John Black and Gila Jones is their professional experience: Black emphasizes military leadership, college-level teaching and organizational management, while Jones emphasizes 12 years of elected K–12 school-board service, public budgeting and collaboration between high schools and community colleges. Their campaigns also differ in their published priorities and endorsements.
But Black was questioned about the help community college students need and what he’s prepared to do. Black basically says to students – “You’re on your own” and ”I don’t want you to have an easy life. I want you to struggle.”
Community college is not the Military.
Don’t take my word for it; check out Mr. Black the video.
What’s that? Eight kids to a room! How is that going to work? This isn’t the armed forces, it’s community college and help is needed for success.
Fortunetly, helping students is something that is built into Gila Jones’ DNA.
Gila Jones is an incumbent K–12 school-board member
- Reports 12 years on the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees.
- Emphasizes experience overseeing public education and annual budgets exceeding $640 million.
- Cites an MBA and training in analyzing the financial statements of large institutions.
- Focuses on preparing students for further education, career training and an economy increasingly influenced by AI.
Jones has direct experience as an elected school-board trustee, including public-board deliberations and education budgeting. Black brings a different mix of military command, teaching and large-scale operational management. She wants to help students because most are already struggling.
But just watching the video makes me shudder.
As a candidate for the SOCCCD Board of Trustees, Area 4, I find it disappointing that this article presents the race as a contest between only two candidates. There are four candidates on the ballot, and voters deserve to hear from all of us.
I have dedicated 21 years to serving both Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College, with more than 30 years of experience in higher education as an educator and leader. I know firsthand the challenges our students face and the importance of providing the support they need to succeed.
This election should be about qualifications, experience, student success, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, not simply Republican versus Democrat.
I encourage voters to research all four candidates and make an informed decision. Our students, colleges, and communities deserve nothing less.
Hi Dan, and readers,
I read the piece about me. I’d rather answer the question behind it than argue about the headline.
The question is whether I understand what community college students face. Here’s my answer.
I’m a first-generation college student. Nobody in my family had done it before me, and I had no map. It took me fifteen years to pay off my college loans. I know what that weight feels like in a monthly budget, because I carried it into my thirties, while I was a husband, a father, and a U.S. Marine who missed years of life with my family because I chose to serve my country.
I served 26 years in the Marine Corps, including three deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. Then I taught college students and adult learners. Both jobs taught me the same lesson. People rise when someone gives them a real path and believes they can walk it.
So here’s what I actually do when I talk with people in this district. I tell students about the Promise Programs at Saddleback and Irvine Valley, which cover two years of enrollment fees, help I did not have. I tell older residents about the tuition-free Emeritus Institute. Our communities already pay for these programs, and too many people don’t know they exist. Telling someone where the help is isn’t “you’re on your own.” It’s the opposite.
One ask. Please share the full question I was asked and my full answer, not a clip. Then judge the whole thing. I’ll stand behind it.
One more thing. This piece covers a four-candidate race as a two-candidate race. Karima Feldhus made that point in your comments, and she’s right. I was at the IVC event with her, and her answers were substantive, and her personal and professional story was inspiring. Voters in Area 4 have four names in front of them, and they deserve to hear from all of us, in full, not in clips.
To the author: I won’t speculate about your character, because I don’t know you, and because that isn’t how I want this race run. If you want to talk about what students actually need from this board, I’ll make the time, and here’s how I’ll show up for it. I’ll treat you with dignity and respect. I’ll tell you what I believe, including where it’s unpopular. I’ll listen to understand rather than wait my turn to argue. I’ll ask questions, and I’ll stay curious. We’ll agree where we can, disagree where we can’t, and stay decent either way. That’s how we build a better path forward for these communities.
You have my email, and you can reach me through my website.
John Black
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
John, thank you for your service, your courage, and, above all, your kindness, both publicly and privately. Your words mean so much to me, especially because we are running against each other. During challenging times, you discover who your true friends are and who has the courage to stand up for what is right. You have demonstrated both. I am grateful for your friendship, integrity, and grace.
Karima,
Thank you. Your kindness means a great deal to me, too.
We’re running for the same seat, but we’re not adversaries. We both want Saddleback and IVC students (and faculty) to succeed, and voters deserve a race where four candidates can disagree on ideas and still work together to strengthen our communities. Your 21 years of service to those two colleges and their students have earned my respect, and so has your courage in speaking up for a fair race.
I’m grateful for your friendship, integrity, and grace.
Thanks for chiming in John. I only have the clip, but the entire Q&A. And while I appreciate your journey, I don’t want college kids to have a hard life. I don’t want them 8 to an apartment. I don’t want them living on Raman. I, too, am the first in my family to go to college. During a couple years, my parents had four kids in college at once. I got scholarships and paid fellowships thant mant my last two years of school didn’t cost my parents a dime — and I still go a part time job to pay my bills. My grades were good, but could have been better if I wasn’t working to pay my bills. My kids didn’t pay a dime for school because I saved and scrimped.
And you are right that its a four-person race. But I’ve placed my bet on Gila who focuses more on the public service of the job than the politics of elections. This blog is more politically aligned with her than the other three candidates. Good luck of all canddiates in November.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for your reply and for sharing your story. We have more in common than the headline suggests. You’re a first-gen college student, too; you worked through school to pay your bills, and you saved and scrimped so your kids wouldn’t have to. So did I. In my last semester, I took 21 units, worked 20 to 40 hours a week, and served as a resident assistant to help pay for housing. That’s the same instinct I’m talking about.
It started at home. Growing up, multiple families lived in my parents’ home at once. Many nights my brother and I slept on the couch so another family could sleep in our room, and all of us, whoever lived under our roof at the time, scrimped to get by. It was tough, and looking back, I’m grateful for it. Many of my friends (Black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, and more) called my mom “Momma Black.” I have deep respect for families and communities that work together to care for each other, survive, climb, and thrive, the way so many first-generation college and immigrant families do.
That experience shaped what I said at the forum, and it’s the context the video clip leaves out. As best I recall, I opened by saying that life isn’t fair, that life gets harder when we make poor decisions, and that we don’t get to choose the consequences of our choices. That means sacrifice: prioritizing what matters most and putting our time and resources there. Struggle is part of life. Making hard decisions and sacrificing for a goal is how people get where they want to go.
I don’t want students eight to an apartment either. My point is that success usually requires giving something up, and no one should have to give up more than necessary. That’s why I point people to the Promise Programs and the Emeritus Institute, so they can use their agency and make choices that support their dreams and goals. It’s also why I’m running: to inform people, encourage dialogue and collaboration, align resources to goals, and build resilience within and across our communities. Being honest with students about tradeoffs and fighting to lower what their education costs them aren’t competing ideas. Good parents and communities do both, and a good board should, too.
On the full recording: I’ve asked several students who were there to track down the complete clips. If I get them, I’ll share them with you and with everyone here. If you find them first, I’d appreciate it if you’d share them with the other candidates and me. Then readers can judge the whole exchange.
I respect your choice to support whoever you believe best serves your values and interests. Every candidate in this race brings something real, and Area 4 voters are better off with four options. Good luck to everyone in November. Regardless of the outcome, we’re stronger and more resilient together. My offer to sit down still stands. I appreciate you and your perspective, Dan. Stay well, and as the Māori of New Zealand say, kia kaha (stay strong).
John Black
Thank you John. I had a dual major, two minors, a full-tuition fellowship, a part-time commercial radio job and a girlfriend — who is now my wife. PR/Journalism major before PCs. I still have my typewriter. I got about 4 hours sleep a night.
Wow. He sounds like a real human being. Thank you for your service. Good luck!
Thank you, Eric. Serving our nation and its people has always been an honor, and it still is. I encourage everyone to practice courageous and civil citizenship.
Anyone with questions can reach me at johnblack4collegeboard.com. I also encourage every voter to hear from all the candidates in this race.