CLC ends link with former president

After a tumultuous tenure as College of Lake County president, followed by a questionable stint working from home, Richard Fonte's affiliation with the school is over.

Fonte's 10-month assignment as assistant to board President William Griffin ended March 1.

The job, created specifically for Fonte, allowed him to work from home while keeping his $195,000 annual salary. Fonte's purpose was to analyze state and national issues affecting CLC, and research federal grants available to the school.

Trustee Barbara Oilschlager, the only board member to vote against Fonte's appointment, said the board received five reports from him over the last 10 months.

All the reports were delivered to the board by Griffin. Fonte has not appeared before the trustees since last spring, Oilschlager said.

"I think we could have received a heck of a lot more for what we were paying for," she said. "Many of the things he suggested, we're already doing. I would like to have seen more depth, more complete research and more suggestions."

Fonte was hired as CLC's president after a nationwide search in January 2006. His contract was to end Dec. 31, 2008.

But his tenure was marked by problems with the faculty and questions about his leadership. CLC faculty also pointed to problems he had with the staff in previous jobs.

He resigned June 12, a decision Griffin has maintained was mutual.

Griffin said Wednesday the information the board received from Fonte will help the school focus on student financial aid and other areas.

"Some of the work he suggested was already in place, but this helps us fine-tune that work," he said.

Trustee Richard Anderson said some of Fonte's reports were very thought-provoking, particularly his last report.

"As trustees, we make decisions every month. His work helped us look beyond the month-to-month operation," Anderson said.

Griffin said the circumstances surrounding Fonte's special appointment were rare, and he doesn't see the board doing something similar in the future.

Right now, trustees are looking at the level and number of administrators at the college, and preparing for the worst in terms of state funding, Griffin said.

"We need to focus on revenue, or lack of revenue from the state," he said. "Right now, we're getting less than 10 percent of our revenue from the state. It used to be one-third. Just a few years ago it was 18 percent. We need to plan ahead and anticipate getting zero."

As far as finding a permanent replacement for Fonte, CLC has created a search committee and anticipates hiring someone by December.

James Rock, vice president for administrative affairs, has been CLC's interim president since September.

"It is not an easy process," Griffin said. "But we keep trying, and eventually we'll succeed and find the right person."