Election Likely to Fill Vacancy on College District Board of Trustees

Officials of the Ventura County Community College District said Wednesday that it is unlikely trustees will meet a Saturday deadline to fill a vacancy on their board, thus forcing a June special election.

The four trustees have been deadlocked in a bitter battle over who should succeed trustee Fernando Elizondo, who resigned Oct. 4.

Under state law, they have 60 days from the time of the resignation to fill the post.

If no action is taken, the county superintendent of schools is required to call a special election.

“There’s no indication that they’re going to meet” the deadline “at this point,” interim Chancellor Barbara Derryberry said.

The delay could create problems in hiring a chancellor and an Oxnard College president, posts that are being filled on an interim basis.

Although trustees had hoped those positions could be filled by February, some have said they want to wait until all five members are on board before making a decision.

Bob Smith, assistant superintendent of business services for the county schools, said his office will call the special election for June 6 if the trustees do not meet Saturday’s deadline.

The Community College District, which governs Ventura College, Moorpark College and Oxnard College, will be billed between $50,000 and $60,000 for the election by the county, Smith said.