The San Jose Evergreen Community College District Governing Board lost more than 40 years of governing experience.

Three board members, Richard Tanaka, Randy Okamura and Ron Lind, retired from their duties at the SJECCD Governing Board Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 27, to move forward to new stages of their lives.

A brief ceremony was held with dignitaries from the community speaking on behalf of the trustees and plaques awarded for their years of service and contribution to the success of our district.

Representatives from Sen. Zoe Lofgren’s office, Mayor Chuck Reed’s office, Norman Mineta’s office and various other state and community leaders honored these three Board Members.

San Jose City College history professor David Yancey acknowledged the trustees’ ability to create a district with unity and solidarity.

“You are heroes of education,” Yancey said.

Trustee Lind was awarded a plaque bearing a picture of Cesar Chavez as a memento to Lind’s involvement in the labor movement.

Lind commented that the major challenge the district has faced during his 12 years of service is the severity of the district’s budget cuts due to today’s economic times.

“I believe we have negotiated these cuts in such a manner as to have minimum effect on our students,” Lind said.

Okamura, sharing from his eight years of experience as a trustee, also stated that the budget to operate the district will remain a challenge.

“The cost of living will affect the district in the number of students we serve and how we train them for access to an economic future and opportunity.

We also have to develop a corporate culture of trust across the district to move forward,” Okamura said.