Kampf Will Leave College Trustee Post in Mid-April : Education: At least two colleagues favor quickly appointing a replacement to the board, which faces important decisions, rather than waiting for a November election.

Ventura County Community College District Trustee Gregory Kampf will step down from his position in mid-April, forcing board members to appoint a replacement or wait till the November election.

At least two of the four remaining board members say they favor soliciting applications and appointing someone as soon as possible to complete the 19 months remaining on Kampf’s term.

But one member says the decision should be left up to voters, even though that route would leave the seat unfilled until after the November election.

The trustees will have 60 days to decide what to do after Kampf formally steps down on April 14.

“I would really like to see us with a full board,” said board President Pete Tafoya. “We have big decisions ahead of us.” The board, which sets policy for the 32,000-student district, plans to decide this summer who will become the new presidents of Moorpark and Ventura colleges.

Kampf’s district covers Ventura, north Oxnard and other parts of western Ventura County.

“I don’t think we will have any trouble attracting a good candidate, either by appointment or election,” said Trustee Timothy Hirschberg, although he said he would prefer to see the seat filled quickly by appointment.

But Trustee Gregory Cole said voters should be allowed to name the replacement. Trustee Allan Jacobs could not be reached for comment.

Formerly the principal of E.P. Foster School in Ventura, Kampf took a job in December as an administrator at a small school district in Oroville in Northern California. He maintained his legal residence at his home in Oxnard, allowing him to remain on the board.

He said at the board’s January meeting that he planned to keep his position until he sold his house. But after more consideration, Kampf said last week that he will step aside to give his colleagues time to decide how to fill the position.

“It is extremely difficult to keep moving back and forth,” he said. “I think this best serves the public.”

He said he plans to tell the other trustees of his intentions at their meeting Tuesday.

Cole, who had pressed Kampf to step aside, hailed the decision.

“I think it is difficult to (work) in Northern California and still represent your constituents in Ventura County,” Cole said. “I think Greg has been a stabilizing force, but I applaud him for his candor and his resignation.”

Hirschberg also praised Kampf as “a strong board member.”

Elected in 1989, Kampf was president of the board during the worst of its problems with former Trustee James T. (Tom) Ely, who was convicted of bilking the district of $15,000 by padding expense accounts.

“He held everything together at a very turbulent time,” Tafoya said.

Kampf first served as a trustee from 1981 to 1984 but resigned after moving from the Oxnard district that he represented. He was returned to the board in a special election after Trustee Fernando Elizondo stepped down three years ago.

Kampf said he and his family plan to move to Chino, north of Oroville. His wife, Cynthia, has taken a position as director of special programs for the Orland Public School District, he said. Kampf is in charge of personnel and administrative services for the Oroville Elementary School District.

“I reached a point in my career that I needed to risk certain things to advance,” said Kampf, who was born and reared in Ventura County. However, he said, “I will certainly miss the responsibility of being a trustee.”