ee Ec ae av nY¥ ISe lo tl August 10, 2009 Mayors Offce Ronnie Behnke, Chair Renton Technical College Board of Trustees 3000 4" Avenue NE Renton, WA 98056 RE: Renton Technical College and President Don Bressler Dear Chair Behnke: | am writing you to express concern over potential action the Board of Directors of Renton Technical College might take that could have a significant long-term negative impact in the Renton community. Ithas come to my attention that President Don Bressler has been asked to resign. While | respect the right of the Board to make final decisions on who serves as president of the college, it's my hope that the issues between Dr. Bressler and your colleagues can be resolved in a manner that avoids damage to the reputation of Renton Technical College, Dr. Bressler and board members. |! want to make sure you are aware of how important this college is to the Renton community, and—more importantly—how critical it is that the current collaborative relationship Dr. Bressler has fostered and lead since his arrival here continues into the future. ‘As you know, Renton Technical College (RTC) has a proud and successful history here in Renton. From its beginnings as a war production school, through its conversion by the State into a vocational school, to its present status as a technical college, the institution has always provided key training to our local workforce. As president, Don Bressler has built on the foundation Dr. Bob Roberts laid, and turned the college into one of the leading community colleges in the State—one that delivers quality and relevant instruction and training to a very diverse student population. Dr. Bressler recently shared some impressive news on Renton Technical College’s ranking in the State Community and Technical College system during the academic year 2007- 2008 with a group of community and elected leaders. He shared that RTC was ranked: ~ 1in workforce certificate awards for one year or more programs ~ 1 with 2,899 students enrolled in 14 apprenticeship programs ~ 1" with 158 workforce awards for apprenticeship completion - 2° with a total of 776 workforce degrees and certificates by career cluster ~ 2" with 159 workforce degree awards for Associate of Applied Science programs Renton City Hall * 1055 South Grady Way # Renton, Washington 98057 ® rentonwagovRonnie Behnke, Chair Renton Technical College Board of Trustees Page 2 of 2 ‘August 20, 2009 - 2" with 737 workforce awards for one year or more certificate programs, Associate of Applied Science programs, and apprenticeship programs - 2° with 4,924 Student Achievement points in Basic Skills for the Winter Quarter 2008- 2009 Basic Skills Cohort Equally important under Dr. Bressler’s leadership, the college has effectively met the needs of emerging diversity in the Renton community. During the 2007-2008 school year, over 50.8% were persons of color or interracial background; 35.5% were female; and 17.8% were immigrant, refugee or temporary legal residents. ‘And he has achieved the above despite ever-tightening budgets and dwindling resources. Dr. Bressler’s ability to build relationships throughout this community and the region has helped to strengthen the Renton Technical College Foundation, which continues to serve many students each year through its scholarship program. As Mayor, perhaps the greatest asset Dr.Bressler brings to the college is his ability to partner and collaborate with other key stakeholders in the community for the benefit of all concerned. He understands how critical itis that all aspects of a community (education, government, business, and residents) thrive, in order for the community as a whole to be successful. He was one of the founding members of our Community Stakeholders Group, which created our Community Marketing Campaign (the “Renton, Ahead of the Curve” ads, among other things). He has consistently looked for ways to leverage RTC resources with those from other stakeholders to achieve a better, more successful outcome. in this age of public accountability and drive for quality and efficiency, it only makes sense to collaborate and partner together. It's my hope that your Board will weigh Dr. Bressler’s significant accomplishments to the college and the strong relationships he has built on behalf of RIC as you work through the personnel issues before you. Sincerely, ( L\n Wied Denis Law Mayor cc: FranciscoIrigon, Member, RTC Board of Trustees Ira Sengupta, Member, RTC Board of Trustees Rich Zwicker, Member, RTC Board of Trustees Renton City Councit Bill Taylor, President/CEO, Renton Chamber of Commerce Rich Rodman, CEO, Valley Medical Center Mary Alice Heuschel, Superintendent, Renton School District 09-108/0t-a