Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
Read more Conrad Mazeika, Coast Community College District Area 3 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire
Name: Kim Carr
Age: 56
Current job title: Trustee, Coast Community College District Governing Board
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: Mayor & Council Member, City of Huntington Beach
City where you reside: Huntington Beach
Campaign website or social media: kimcarr4ca.com
What are the top two needs of your college district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
The college district has made significant strides in addressing some of the most critical needs, including updating and maintiaing aging infrastructure and keeping the district finincially stable. Measure M was successfully passed in 2012 and that provided much needed relief to upgrade the facilities at Orange Coast College, Golden West College and Coastline College. However, much work is still needed. Buildings at Golden West College need to be replaced, new technology is expensive and student needs are ever changing. The district is actively looking at options to address these infratstructure needs and taking the appropriate steps.
The district also implemented a Financial Stability Plan in 2024 to align ongoing expenditures with ongoing revenues, increase reserves, address structural deficits, and create long-term financial stability. The district has successfully implemented many cost-saving measures, but more work remains. To ensure the district’s success, leadership must remain laser-focused on balancing the budget and identifying cost-saving initiatives.
To you, what is the role of community college in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
Community Colleges offer the most diverse set of educational services in California. Our colleges help students pursue a higher degree or earn a specialized career certificate. We train and retrain the current workforce and help employers find skilled labor. We provide lifelong learning and enrichment classes for older adults to build community and support healthy aging. We offer a safe space where students are welcomed, feel a sense of belonging, and are part of a community focused on their success.
In October, Long Beach City College will break ground on a new student housing facility at its Liberal Arts Campus that will provide 431 total units to students. Is student housing a priority that your college should pursue? If so, explain how you intend to take on such an endeavor in a timely, cost-effective manner. If you don’t, how should your college district support students searching for affordable housing options near campus? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
We do have fully furnished student housing at Orange Coast College, and we do provide housing assistance for those students who qualify. Ideally, we would have student housing at Golden West College as well, and perhaps that opportunity will be available in the near future. Given the current interest rates, costs for supplies and labor, and financial needs of the district, it is difficult to build affordable student housing without significant grants from the state.
What actions would you suggest to prevent a cyberattack similar to the Canvas data breach in May? How can your district ensure students’ information is safe? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
At Coast, we take cybersecurity seriously. In fact, Coastline College is a leader in teaching students how to prevent cyberattacks, and we are currently pursuing approval to offer a B.A. in cybersecurity. The district has invested in our IT Department to minimize disruptions when cyberattacks affect third-party vendors, and we have emphasized staff training to reduce the number of threats.
How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
At our colleges, we are preparing students for current and future workforce needs. Banning artificial intelligence from classrooms entirely would be a disservice to our students, as employers increasingly require AI skills to power their businesses. At Coast, we have developed thoughtful guidelines for AI use, tailored to each course and subject matter. By setting expectations upfront, students and faculty have a clear understanding of how it should be used in the classroom and when it is not appropriate.
How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
It’s imperative that students, faculty, administrators, etc., all have a deep understanding of what civil discourse is and what it isn’t.
Freedom of speech is essential on college campuses. The ability to freely exchange ideas and debate is under attack, and colleges need to continue to push for safe spaces where students can share their viewpoints, be challenged, and discuss opposing ideas thoughtfully without the fear of retaliation. I’m proud of the work Coast Community College District provides to create opportunities for thoughtful dialogue inside and outside of the classroom. As the often-quoted saying goes, “If you are agreeing with everything you are hearing, you are not really learning.”
What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Before serving as the current Coast Community College District Trustee for Area 3, I served as mayor of Huntington Beach and was a member of the City Council from 2018 to 2022. That experience gave me the foundation to govern the district effectively and to help craft policies that ensure the colleges remain top-tier community colleges in California.
If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
My rescue cat, Carnegie, has been by my side since Day 1 and is the most loyal and loving cat I’ve ever had. Whenever I’m having a down day, he’s always there to remind me of what truly matters.
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.
“Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life” by Arnold Schwarzenegger. I typically don’t read celebrity books, but I heard him talking about his book and thought I would give it a try. To my surprise, Schwarzenegger recounts his journey in Sacramento and what he learned from it. While the book offers great life lessons, it also reflects the brutal reality of trying to pass legislation in California.