Marshall E. (Mark) Drummond recently resigned his post as chancellor of the
Los Angeles Community College District, leaving the job with two years left on his contract and a $428,750 payoff.
District officials say that a confidentiality agreement prevents them from discussing the reasons for Drummond’s departure, which comes amid a $5.7 billion construction program that involves the nine campuses of the Community College District and will be paid for by bonds that were approved by voters and will be financed by taxpayers. His departure also follows recent word that two of the nine campuses have been placed on probation by the organization that determines accreditations for community colleges.
Why did Drummond leave? Why have the elected Board of Trustees been silent on the reasons? When do public officials have the right to agree to confidential terms when spending public money? On what basis did the district hand Drummond $428,000 on his way out the door? And what does this say about the management of an oft-overlooked entity that spends billions of dollars in public money and is charged with providing a key educational resource for the people of Los Angeles and the city’s economy?
This story wll be tackled by Andrew Khouri and John Guenthe who are reporting for Neon Tommy. They have already produced some reporting on the topic here.
Why have the elected Board of Trustees been silent on the terms of his departure and severance package? And what does this say about the management of an oft-overlooked entity that spends billions of dollars in public money and is charged with providing a key educational resource for the people of Los Angeles and the city’s economy?
