Board Vacancy
Board of Trustees Vacancy Update
During the November 3, 2020, election, Sean Elo-Rivera was elected to the San Diego City Council. On December 10, 2020, he was sworn in to office, at which time he resigned from the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees, where he represented Trustee Area E.
On November 12, 2020, the Board indicated (pursuant to education code section 5091) its intent to develop a process for receiving community applications, conducting interviews, and making a provisional appointment of a registered voter from Trustee Area E to fill the vacancy and serve for the remainder of former Trustee Elo-Rivera’s term. Trustees Mary Graham and Craig Milgrim were selected as the Board subcommittee to advise staff and oversee this process, with the understanding that all aspects of the process will be conducted in public.
At its meeting of December 17, 2020, the Board approved a timeline, a Board candidate application packet, and the proposed interview questions. The following day, the approved materials were posted on the District's website. The final applications were due January 15, 2021. Applications were solicited publicly through notices in the local press and the District website.
On January 28, 2021, the Board reviewed the applications and decided to interview all eligible applicants at a Special public Board meeting on February 4, 2021, 1:00 p.m. These interviews are being held to allow the Board to interview applicants for this provisional appointment in compliance with Administrative Procedure AP 2110 Vacancies on the Board. Following the interviews, the Board will adjourn and will reconvene at a Special public Board meeting on February 8, 4:00 p.m.
The Board approved the following process:
Public comment
The Board of Trustees wants every aspect of the process to fill the trustee vacancy spot, formerly held by Sean Elo-Rivera, in a manner that is as public, as open, and as transparent as possible. At any time in the process, we invite the public to express opinions and suggestions about any aspect of the process or any candidates being considered by the Board by email to boardoffice@sdccd.edu, by going to https://www.sdccd.edu/board_comments/, or by voicemail at 619-388-6957. Comments will be read aloud by staff prior to each candidate interview. For the February 4 meeting, public comments must be submitted by 11:00 a.m. the day of the meeting; for the February 8 meeting, public comments must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. the day of the meeting.
interview and selection process
Each candidate will be invited to make a five-minute opening statement. Each Board member (including the student trustee) will have up to five minutes to ask any follow-up questions, for a total of thirty minutes for each candidate.
The candidates will be interviewed in the following order, which was determined by lot:
Jared Quient
Dwayne Crenshaw
Rafael Perez
Geysil Arroyo
Joel Trambley
Following the interviews, the Board will adjourn and will reconvene at a Special public Board meeting on February 8, 4:00 p.m. At that time, additional comments from the public to express opinions and suggestions about any aspect of the process or any candidates being considered by the Board will be read aloud by staff. Following public comments, the Board will consider the candidates and will vote to appoint an applicant to fill the Governing Board Vacancy created by the resignation of Sean Elo-Rivera.
The appointed candidate will be sworn in at the February 11, 2021, Board meeting.
APPLICATION process FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES VACANCY
Applications are now closed
The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) is inviting applications for the position of appointed member of the Board of Trustees (Trustee District E) in compliance with applicable Education Codes until the next regularly scheduled election for governing board members, which is November 8, 2022.
Candidates must live in Area E, which includes Golden Hill, City Heights, Logan Heights, Downtown, Normal Heights, Barrio Logan, Mountain View, and South Park.
The Board is seeking candidates who have the ability and time to fulfill the responsibilities of being a member of the Board, which include:
- Participating fully in the work of the Board, which includes attending all Board meetings and key events, studying and discussing policy issues, and participating in trustee orientation, training, and professional development programs.
- Being knowledgeable about the communities served by the District.
- Being committed to the mission and functions of community colleges; understanding the educational, social, and economic policy issues pertaining to community colleges.
- Engaging in balancing the needs of many diverse groups and be able to contribute to and build consensus.
- Contributing to effective Board functioning and supporting the authority of the Board as a whole. The Board of Trustees meets twice monthly on Thursdays unless noted otherwise. Please see the following link to access remaining meeting dates in Fiscal Year 2020-21.
In order to be considered for appointment to the vacant position, the following application materials must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2021:
Application materials include the following:
- A one-page letter of interest addressed to the president of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Maria Nieto Senour
- A completed application, including Board of Trustees Temporary Appointment Application Questions (link below)
- At least two (2) and up to five (5) letters of reference
Email all application materials to boardoffice@sdccd.edu. These materials will be considered by members of the Board of Trustees in determining who will be invited to be interviewed at a special public Board meeting on February 4, 2021. Further information will be provided to those candidates about the Board meeting and interview process. The Board will make a selection/appointment on February 4, 2021 (with February 8 as additional special meeting date if needed). The individual will be sworn in at the public Board meeting on February 11, 2021.
The Board encourages you to review Board Policies that outline Governing Board responsibilities and expectations for trustees.
If you have questions, please contact the Board Office by email, boardoffice@sdccd.edu, or leave a message at the office number (619) 388-6957. Due to COVID-19, the SDCCD is in remote operation status for an indefinite period of time. Classes are being held online and essential services are continuing, although all District campuses and facilities are closed with a few exceptions for hybrid classes.