Pool explosion, faculty complaints, financial missteps are issues in wide-open YCCD election
Trustees
It creates opportunity for office seekers in a community college district with a number of challenges, including stalled contract talks with professors, issues of transparency and district purchasing practices, and questions about a disabled swimming pool at MJC.
Area 4 Trustee
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Three are vying for the short-term seat in Area 7. Two men who applied for the appointment earlier this year,
In Tuolumne County, retiring Superintendent of Schools
YCCD trustees do not accept a stipend for board service, though
Last week, the leader of the union representing professors at MJC and
Mediation failed to produce a new contract and professors and part-time instructors won't likely have a contract with the
"This demonstrates an utter disregard to proactively fix this and repair the damaged relationships between the district and the faculty," YFA President
MJC students will return to classrooms without a permanent leader in the president's office. YCCD Chancellor
The district also has caught flak for bypassing the bid process for a software services contract that cost taxpayers
Smith gave a Ferrilli staffer the title of interim assistant vice president of information technology, after which additional contracts for computer system upgrades were awarded to Ferrilli. Smith has said the contracts did not violate district policy.
Erickson, who's a former public works director for city of
Erickson said he's also heard there is a disconnect between YCCD and local high schools. His main reason for running, however, is that he always figured to seek the office when Viss, a longtime educator, retired from the board, the candidate said.
Hinton did not respond to an emailed request for an interview. The Facebook page for the former Christian school teacher says Hinton works at helping conservatives get elected to office. Her recent posts have supported Congressman
Trustee
"Before, what we were told (in trustee training) is be a cheerleader and source of support and trust," Beggs said.
The trustee vowed to keep asking for the cause of an explosion at the MJC swimming facility that resulted in structural damage and a chemical spill. Several buildings at the east campus were closed after the explosion in June.
YCCD Spokeswoman
The cause of the explosion won't be known until an insurance company report is finished, Chavez said. "We hope this week we will have more information on what will be done to bring the pool back online," she said.
Groups that used the pool for training and competitions have wanted to know the cause of the blast in the pool supply room, which occurred on a Sunday morning. The explosion could have maimed or killed swimmers if it had occurred on a weekday. There's no estimate on when repairs will be made and the pool will open again.
"I don't think people will be comfortable swimming if we have the same kind of system again," Beggs said.
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