COMPTON : Compton College to Tighten Spending

Compton Community College is tightening its spending practices in an effort to end its probationary status, President Byron R. Skinner said in a report to state officials.

Skinner said the college is eliminating two widespread practices that drew criticism: hiring new employees and putting them on the payroll before trustees approved, and officials bypassing the purchasing office to buy supplies.

State officials said such practices contributed to a $350,000 deficit last year at the college.

Skinner’s report was submitted to the community colleges chancellor and the accrediting agency, the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges. The district was placed on probation in June by the association, which said the college needed more financial controls and administrative stability.

The college has also assembled a new management team, ending a period in which many acting administrators held key positions, Skinner said.

A new vice president of business affairs, director of human resources, director of institutional research and a public relations officer have been chosen. Skinner said a vice president of academic affairs will be selected by October and a vice president of student affairs should be hired by January.

The association’s accreditation commission is scheduled to review the college’s status in January. Skinner is scheduled to submit another progress report in October.