CHAPARRAL

The entire college community is deeply saddened by the loss of Trustee Mary Hamilton. However, even in our time of grieving, the business of the college must continue. The Board must act by April 4 to name an interim trustee to fill Mary’s seat.

This deadline is imposed by the archaic rules that control K-12 school districts and which community colleges still must obey. The appointment will last for approximately one year until the next trustee election in April 2003. At that time, there will be three seats on the ballot instead of two (those of Robert Holmes and Marty Pilgreen).

Although the decision about a replacement is entirely within the control of the four current trustees, the board and college administration have agreed to create an open process in which employees and students can hear from the finalists prior to final Board selection.

That process as currently defined includes an announcement of the vacancy, submission of applications, a screening process including an open meeting/interview session involving the Trustees and campus community on Monday, March 25, and final Board selection prior to the April 4 deadline.

The Trustees decided that they preferred a one-year interim position in which the individual would commit to not running for office in spring 2003. They asked the original 16 applicants if they would abide by a "gentleperson's agreement" (not legally enforceable) to serve only one year and not run for office at the end of that time.  Eleven of the group

said yes, and five declined (implying an interest in running for a full board term in 2003). The eleven are considered the semi-finalists, and approximately half of them will be selected by the Board for "interview" at an open board meeting March 25.

The faculty and staff leadership will decide whether to ask the finalists to attend a separate forum/discussion either earlier on that same date or on another date that week, so that employees have more opportunity for dialogue with the finalists. Given our collaborative structure, it is presumed that student leadership will also participate in these events.

In any case, by the time the next Chaparral comes out, the campus community will have been fully apprised of the situation and a new trustee will be sworn in. Our college needs and deserves a fully functioning board in order to deal with the impending budget cuts coming from Sacramento. Stay tuned. &