Voters need to change COD board

Trustees of the College of DuPage regularly take the opportunity to say when the microphone is on that decisions are made with the interests of taxpayers in mind.

Many decisions that have been made call this into question, however.

For the second time in five years the college will be paying for two presidents as the board swiftly and stealthily voted to "transition" Dr. Chand to the position of "president emeritus" on the quiet of the Tuesday morning after Memorial Day. The likely cost of this as-yet unexplained move is about $400,000.

History reveals several other questionable costly actions by the board. Notable examples include $650,000 for a parking lot that was never used, and $90,000 for a PR firm hired preemptively without discussion with the administration. One could go on, but more damaging to the COD infrastructure than these individual actions is the board's intrusive, bullying and meddling style characterized by its chairman, Mr. McKinnon.

In a review of the college performed in 1999 - 2000 by James Fisher, Ltd., the report describes the board as being "…persistently guilty of inappropriate interference in the College's daily internal operations." Clearly the present group has not changed.

Concerned taxpayers have a right to hear explanations about expensive and disruptive board decisions. They also have an opportunity and responsibility to make changes. There are four seats up for election in 2009. I urge voters to choose candidates that are committed to creating a board dedicated to strategic long-term governance rather than costly micro-management.

Richard H. Jarman

Glen Ellyn