COOS BAY — The Southwestern Oregon Community College board symbolically closed the book on its past president’s history while extending the term of its interim leader.

The Oregon School Boards Association presented its findings from a campus culture investigation held during the presidency of Judith Hansen. It confirmed that the college had reason for concern with its financial matters, but an investigator found the work environment was not too different from other colleges.

Angie Peterman, operational support services associate executive director at OSBA, said the business staff may be understaffed and communication between the business office and the president’s office was less than perfect. “That’s not an uncommon thing to see,” she said.

What she did find out of the ordinary was the college’s spending practices. She suggested the college was spending more than it receives, resulting in a declining cash reserve.

“I think your reserves are minimized to a point where you have to question whether to spend in that fashion,” she said.

She recommended developing a three- to five-year forecasting model for student enrollment and cash reserves

“Cash flow forecasting is critical,” she said.

She also encouraged the college to delay any capital projects. The college had planned to build a new campus in Curry County.

“It’s very unclear where those resources are going to come from,” she said.

The board agreed to bring an OSBA team back to campus to extend its review of the college’s business office.

OSBA will not help the college search for an interim president, after a number of employees asked that their current leader be retained. The board agreed to keep Patty Scott as its interim president until a permanent replacement can be hired.

Scott reassured board members that she would be able to handle the job as other employees pick up her assignments as dean of students.

“We have complete confidence in her ability to fill that role in that time frame, whatever that might be,” said Tom Nicholls, director of enrollment.

The board agreed it would be a good decision, as it would mean the college would not have to pay OSBA’s fee to search for an interim president. Instead, it will begin the effort to hire a permanent leader.

Scott stepped into her new role last week, following the resignation of Hansen on Oct. 8. Hansen was mentioned several times in the report, though never with any evaluation of her performance.

Dori Brattain, OSBA’s deputy executive director, said the report could not include any individual’s performance because it would be a violation of privacy.

“We are not here to evaluate particular people,” she said.

The report did provide general suggestions regarding allegations that had been made against Hansen. Lisa Freiley, director of legal, labor & employment services at OSBA, reviewed the issues.

n Regarding the question of public safety: She simply said it behooves the college to resolve the issue with the city of Coos Bay.

n Regarding mishandling of funds: Freiley said the college is “without an on-site professional and competent financial manager and this must be remedied as quickly as possible.”

n She also recommend reviewing the process the budget is developed, noting that many people described the past year’s efforts as chaotic and frustrating.

Freiley did not go into great detail in regards to allegations of poor personnel management, other than to say a change in leadership can create stress.

“It is common with a new management style to feel some growing pains,” she said. “That being said, you need to have some degree of harmony and I believe you are well on your way in that sense.”

Freiley suggested that the college should take into consideration its core values when hiring a new president.

“You want to look at their technical skills, but you also want to see that their philosophy fits with your core values,” she said.

The board clarified its expectations for Scott, namely that she is the president.

“You’re the president,” said Rick Howell. “Be the president.”

The board increased her salary to $110,000 a year, prorated to her taking the role on Oct. 8.

One of Scott’s first tasks is establishing a new organizational chart. The college’s vice president of administrative services, Sheldon Meyer, announced his last day in his office would be Oct. 10. His position is now vacant, as the man who was hired to replace him, Richard Weldon, has agreed to be released from his contract, Scott said.

The board has said it would like to see someone in the position with more financial experience than what Weldon had to offer.

Scott said she would be announcing an interim structure once she gets a from letter from Weldon.

 OSBA report