Search Continues for New Board Member

There is still an empty seat at the monthly Board meetings – but not for long. Applications by Trustee candidates will be accepted through January 18. Evaluation of the applicants by the current Board will occur January 19 and 20, and candidates will be individually interviewed at a special public Board meeting on January 25. The new Trustee will be sworn in at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting, scheduled February 2.

The new Trustee will replace Dr. Sam Blakeslee, who was elected to serve as Assemblyman for the 33rd State Assembly District. He announced his resignation from the Board effective December 5, 2004.

The San Luis Obispo County Community College District (SLOCCCD) can fill the position by either a special election or an appointment. According to the San Luis Obispo County Clerk Recorder’s Office, the cost of a special election is projected at approximately $325,000. This cost and budget constraints make it fiscally prudent for the Board to make an appointment to fill the vacancy until the next regularly scheduled election for the Board in November 2006.

Educational Code Sections 5090-5095 specify requirements for filling a vacancy on the SLOCCCD Board. According to the code, candidates must be residents of the trustee district that they will represent. Blakeslee represented District Area 3 of the San Luis Obispo County Community College District. Applicants for Blakeslee’s position must reside in this District Area 3, which includes much of the City of San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach and parts of Pismo Beach and Grover Beach.

The person appointed to the position should hold the office only until the next regularly scheduled election for members of the Board, at which time the appointee may choose to run for the seat.