Audit, increased enrollment, brighten MiraCosta's board

By: PAUL SISSON - Staff Writer
Trustees approve 'progress report' for commission | Tuesday, March 18, 2008 10:36 PM PDT ∞

OCEANSIDE -- An unblemished financial audit and swelling enrollment gave MiraCosta College trustees reason to smile Tuesday even as they sparred over a few sentences in a mountain of accreditation paperwork.

A consultant with the auditing firm Vicenti Lloyd & Sutzman provided a dose of positive news for the polarized college board, announcing an "unqualified opinion" on the community college's finances for the 2006-2007.

"I think we should applaud the staff for this audit," said board Chairwoman Carolyn Batiste.

The school's demographics department also showed that MiraCosta's spring enrollment reached 11,150, setting a school record despite turmoil that has divided the board for two years.

That turmoil -- which started with the investigation of illegal palm tree sales at the college in 2006 -- led to a warning letter from the state Accrediting Commission for Community Colleges and Junior Colleges, which demands that MiraCosta address three "areas of concern" or risk losing its accreditation.

Trustees unanimously approved a 2-foot-thick "progress report" to the accrediting commission Tuesday, but not without removing a few sentences first.

Trustee Judy Strattan objected to language that suggested the board has begun to "find ways to work collaboratively" and that it discussed "points of disagreement that have caused acrimonious relationships among board members."

"We have not discussed one single point of disagreement," Strattan said.

"I don't feel comfortable with this report, and I think it's a window dressing," added Trustee Gloria Carranza.

The majority of trustees disagreed, saying that a board retreat on Jan. 22 included discussions that helped clear the air on the series of divisive events that have polarized the board over the last two years.

"It's steps in the right direction; it doesn't mean that we are finished," said Trustee Gregory Post.

"I think that this is a work in progress," added Batiste.

The illegal sale of palms from MiraCosta's horticulture department started the saga of division on the college board. Friction only increased during an investigation, which ultimately led to a $1.5 million settlement with former college President Victoria Munoz Richart.

In addition to improving collegiality among board members, and with campus full- and part-time faculty, the accreditation committee also wants MiraCosta to better document the academic achievement of its students. Tuesday's progress report states that assessments have been developed for 332 -- or 49 percent -- of MiraCosta's credit courses.

-- Contact staff writer Paul Sisson at (760) 90104087 or psisson@nctimes.com.