- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Business
- Politics
- School Zone
- Nonprofits
- Missing Pets
- Multimedia
- Arts
- Movies
- Outdoors
- Sports
- News Releases
- Columnists
- Blogs
- Opinions
- Classifieds
- Advertise
- Donate
- Partners
SBCC Receives But Won’t Release Draft of Findings from State Oversight Commission
SBCC officials are keeping mum about a draft report received from a state oversight board earlier this week.
The college received the draft Monday with findings and conclusions reached by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. The commission conducted a two-day visit to the campus last fall, interviewing trustees, staff, students and some residents. The commission’s own policies state that details of the investigation are to be kept confidential until a decision is issued.
The visit came after a complaint was sent to the commission last summer alleging the SBCC Board of Trustees was out of compliance, particularly with its role as a governing board.
“If Commission investigation yields credible evidence that indicates a systemic problem that calls into question the institution’s ability to meet Commission standards and policies, the Commission may invoke the sanctions provided for in policy,” ACCJC President Barbara Beno wrote in a letter to then-SBCC President Andreea Serban.
The Board of Trustees has been dogged by controversy since its decision last summer to place Serban on paid administrative leave after marathon meetings to discuss her evaluation. The reason for her dismissal was never revealed because the talks occurred in closed session, college officials said.
Serban has since been hired for an interim position with the Coast Community College District in Orange County. Dr. Jack Friedlander, formerly SBCC’s executive vice president, was named acting president of the college while the board looks for a permanent candidate.
A statement issued by SBCC on Tuesday said it would not release the commission’s findings to the public just yet.
“The college has 30 days in which to make a confidential response to the draft,” the statement said. “The commission will not render any decision until it has received and considered the college’s response.”
Once the ACCJC renders a decision, the statement said, its report and findings will be made public — “however, consistent with Commission policy on interim communications that precede any decision-making, the draft is confidential,” it said.
The SBCC Board of Trustees will hold a study session Thursday, and the search for a new superintendent as well as a discussion of the ACCJC findings are listed on the document. However, how much will actually be discussed is uncertain.
The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. in Room A211 in the MacDougall Administration Center, 721 Cliff Drive.
— Noozhawk staff writer Lara Cooper can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
Comments
Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.
» on 02.09.12 @ 05:05 PM
Do you think there is something embarrassing there they may want to hide. I am sure if they were vindicated by the Commission, they would be spilling their guts with the news by now.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 02.10.12 @ 11:43 AM
It would be unseemly of them to comment publicly on the draft report whether it was laudatory or condemning. It IS a draft and sent to them for comment; we’ll see the final report soon enough and then can draw our conclusions.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 02.12.12 @ 05:13 PM
There is absolutely nothing in the California Public Records Act which confers “confidentiality” on the subject letter. If the letter were even slightly complimentary it would be on the SBCC website in spades. It’s not a draft or a working paper or anything else exempted from the Act.
If a visiting committee of experts in junior college operations found trouble (sixteen pages of trouble?) then the public has a right to knowe, and it ill behooves an administration and board loudly claiming “transparency” to be trying to keep this letter under wraps.
I have filed a request under the Public Records Act, but have been stone-walled so far.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
More Local News »
Authorities Locate SBCC Student Reported Missing
His mother had asked for the public's help finding her 20-year-old 'special needs' son
Red Flag Warning Canceled; Wind Advisory Still in Effect
Sunny skies are expected to give way to some clouds over the weekend
Santa Barbara Breaks Record With High of 86 Degrees
Previous mark for May 23 was 82, set in 1949, according to the National Weather Service
Santa Maria Man Facing Child Molestation Charges
Victim reports being sexually abused over a period of time by the suspect
Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Suspect in Retail Thefts
Surveillance photo shows person wanted in connection with thefts at two Santa Barbara stores
Weather: Partly Cloudy 53.0º
Search Noozhawk »
