Meet the Candidates: Southwestern Community College Governing Board

Education in the South Bay has had a rocky few years. Last December, search warrants were issued to raid the homes and offices of Sweetwater Union High School District and Southwestern College leaders as well as contractors. Several indictments were handed out by the District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis' office.

On the front lines of the alleged corruption, pay-to-play politics and other issues confronting the school has been The SWC Sun, the award-winning college paper at Southwestern College.

The SWC Sun sat down with the four candidates vying for seats #1 and #3.

Seat #3

William "Bud" McLeroy is a former fireman, Marine Corps veteran and owner of a surfboard manufacturer. McLeroy and some of his children attended Southwestern, and told the paper he chose to run because otherwise he would be turning his back on his community. Corruption is still an issue at Southwestern, he said.

Humberto Peraza, an incumbent, told The Sun he wants to be re-elected so he can continue "house cleaning" reforms following indictments of college administrators and board members last year.

In the past Peraza has worked for the San Diego City Council, Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Bob Filner.

Seat #1

Elizabeth Jean Roach, not to be confused with current Seat #1 board member Dr. Jean Roesch, told The SWC Sun that community college was key to her education and wants to join the governing board to give back to the community.

Roach said SWC is too dependent on money from Sacramento and that the college should look for other revenue sources if Proposition 30 fails. If elected, she wants to see graduation rates and increase.

"I started by saying I'm not a union puppet and I am not," she told The SWC Sun. Roach is a member of the Chula Vista-Bonita Republican Federated Women.

William Stewart teaches philosophy at San Diego City College and told the paper he's running to give his time and energy to the college, not for political ambition. Stewart has experience in real estate and business and wants to see the school do more to use its money wisely in the future.

Click here to read full interviews with the candidates.