By Clyde Noel
 Hal Plotkin, incumbent Andrea Leiderman and Betsy Bechtel are sworn in as Foothill-De Anza Community College District trustees at a special board meeting last week. |
Chancellor Martha Kanter administered the oath of office to the three newly elected Foothill-De Anza Community College District trustees, incumbent Andrea Leiderman and two newcomers, Betsy Bechtel and Hal Plotkin, at a special board meeting last week.
Leiderman, who was appointed to the board in February 2002 to fill a vacancy, is an adjunct professor of American government at Evergreen Valley College and director of government and corporate relations for Kaiser Permanente’s South Bay service area.
“It wasn’t all idle talk on the campaign trail,” Leiderman said. “I am giving the chancellor a proposal for a gap analysis of actual job sources and a policy on community outreach. The community colleges are the engines which will enable us to turn around the economy.”
Bechtel served nine years on the Palo Alto City Council, including one year as mayor and two as vice mayor.
She holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in speech pathology from Stanford University.
“I am delighted to serve, and I want to thank my friends and family for working with me to be on the board,” Bechtel said. “It’s a privilege to assume the excellent work done by my predecessors.”
Plotkin, also from Palo Alto, is an author, journalist and business analyst who has written more than 600 articles on public policy finance, education technology and science.
“I want to thank all those who came to celebrate our seating on the board. I would like to acknowledge my faculty members who helped put me here,” Plotkin said.
“I’m the first board member to graduate from Foothill College. I take my seat with pride and humility.”
During the annual organization meeting, the board elected Paul Fong president and Leiderman vice president.
As chancellor, Kanter becomes secretary.
Leiderman, Bechtel and Plotkin join Fong and Edward “Sandy” Hay on the board of trustees. The two new members replace retired trustees Mary Mason and Judy Moss, who each served 12 years.
