Delta President Delays Seating New Board Members

SJDCwatch Exclusive.

In case you missed it, the voters recently elected four new board members at Delta College. Since there are a total of seven seats on the board, we have a new board. So, why is President Raul Rodriguez doing everything he can to delay seating the new board? Why should the college administration be allowed to push through business that is against the stated views of the new members?

-President Up To His Same Old Tricks-
Even as voters spoke loudly for change on the Delta board, President Rodriguez is working to thwart their will by delaying the seating of the new members until long after the first day that they can legally be seated (Friday, December 5).
In a recent e-mail, Rodriguez claims that "we plan to swear in the new trustees, hold an organizational meeting to select the new board officers, and then transact any business that might be before the new board" on December 16, 2008.
Rodriguez defends his idea on the dubious premise that this is the "normal schedule of holding board meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of the month."
Rodriguez does not seem to appreciate the historic nature of the recent election. Voters rose up, like never before, and demanded change. Four incumbents were either voted out or chose not to run on their record.
In a time of such unprecedented change, the President must honor the will of the electorate.

-Never Missing An Opportunity... to Miss An Opportunity-

There was a window of opportunity in the first week after the election to contact the new trustees, work with the old board, and synchronize calendars. There should have been at least a sketch of a plan for welcoming and installing the new members before the election. We doubt anything was done.
As things stand now, even with a measure of goodwill and competence on the part of his subordinates, we doubt Rodriguez could arrange for the new board to take office before Dec. 9. Under the law, the old board has full authority to continue to make decisions until the new board is sworn in and installed. It would show some self-restraint and respect for the voters if the old board conducted nothing more than routine business after Dec. 5.

-What To Do Now?-

Cancel the December 2, 2008 board meeting.
Seat the new board on December 5, 2008.
Hold the meeting on December 16, 2008 with the new board.
Start conducting the District's business in a transparent manner.

-SJDCwatch