New COD trustees want peace on the board
Two years of political division on the College of DuPage board is expected to end later this month when three new trustees are seated.
All three newcomers, who were elected Tuesday, said they look forward to working with current board members to oversee the Glen Ellyn-based community college.
"Getting along goes hand-in-hand with getting good work done," said Christine Fenne of Wheaton. "I don't necessarily think we're always going to agree on everything. We will have diverse opinions and ideas for the success of College of DuPage. But ultimately, we all want the same goals."
Fenne and COD student Daniel Markwell were elected to 6-year terms on the seven-member board and Alan Bennett, a retiree from Lombard, was elected to a 2-year seat. They will be sworn in April 27.
During the campaign, Bennett and Fenne were supported by board Chairwoman Deanne Mazzochi and Trustee Frank Napolitano.
Still, Fenne said she and Bennett will be independent and bring their own ideas to the board.
Mazzochi, Napolitano and Trustee Charles Bernstein were part of the "Clean Slate" that was elected two years ago in the wake of public uproar over a buyout agreement with former college President Robert Breuder.
They formed a new majority with then-Trustee Kathy Hamilton and elevated her to the position of board chairwoman. Their faction would often butt heads with trustees Dianne McGuire, Erin Birt and Joseph Wozniak at meetings.
When Hamilton unexpectedly stepped down in December 2015, it created a 3-3 split on the panel. Birt, McGuire, and Wozniak boycotted board meetings for two months because they wanted an organizational session held to pick a new chairman. That gridlock didn't end until David Olsen was appointed to replace Hamilton,
"The board was totally dysfunctional before," Bennett said.
In the end, McGuire and Birt decided not to seek re-election. Olsen didn't run because he was elected in November to the Illinois General Assembly.
Bennett said trustees need to get along now because the school is trying to keep its accreditation.
In December 2015, the Higher Learning Commission placed the college on two years' probation for failing to act with integrity in its financial, academic, personnel and auxiliary functions.
While COD continues to be accredited and student credits are unaffected, the probation means the school must address the commission's concerns. If it doesn't, it will lose its accreditation - and that could have a devastating impact on students by affecting financial aid programs and the ability to transfer credits.
"Losing our accreditation would be a major setback for the college," said Markwell, adding his top priority is for COD's accreditation to remain intact.
In addition to the accreditation, Bennett said he wants COD to fully address the results of a performance audit by the Illinois Auditor General.
Released in September, the report suggested 19 areas the college needs to improve. It said COD's board needs to increase its oversight in a broad range of areas, including evaluation of the college president, handling of construction contracts, overall transparency and members' understanding of their elected roles.
"The board and administration are working to fully implement the recommendations," Bennett said. "That process needs to be completed to allow for full transparency and fiscal accountability."