Mission Viejo : No More Firings Due, College Trustees Insist

Saddleback Community College District officials said Thursday that despite predictions of more firings in the wake of last week’s ouster of Chancellor Larry Stevens, there are no plans to dismiss any other high-ranking employees.

Stevens, who had been under pressure from a newly constituted board of trustees, agreed to resign last week. Stevens’ ouster as chief executive of the district had been sought for two years by the teachers’ union, which accused him of being “dictatorial and militaristic.”

Bill Watts, a trustee who had defended Stevens but who was defeated for reelection in November, said last week that the teachers’ union would demand, and the new board would agree to, the firing of several more administrators in addition to Stevens. “I’m sorry to say this is just the beginning,” Watts said.

But new board President Harriett Walther, at a press conference Thursday at Saddleback College, categorically denied that more firings are being planned. “We have absolutely no plans for further personnel changes. Absolutely,” said Walther.

As for Watts’ prediction of more firings, Walther said, “Mr. Watts is no longer on the board. He doesn’t speak and act for the board.”

Walther and Terry Burgess, president of the intercollege Academic Senate, also said they knew of no current movement among the faculty for a “no confidence” vote against one of the key administrators. One of the first moves made by the faculty, in launching its efforts two years ago to oust Stevens, was to vote “no confidence” in him.

Executive Vice Chancellor David Habura will continue to serve as acting chancellor until the board of trustees decides on an interim chancellor, said Walther. She praised Habura’s work, saying he had already accomplished many things in his role as acting chancellor.

In response to a question, Walther said the trustees have not received any criticism from district residents about the board’s buy-out of Stevens’ remaining 18 months on his contract as chancellor. The buy-out, announced last week, will cost the district about $115,000 in salary and benefits.