Wednesday’s (Apr 29th) special 5 PM DACC Board of Trustees meeting allowed for 20 minutes of Public Comment before going into their Closed Session agenda. And passion fueled by the pending dismissals of Provost Dr. Carl Bridges and Dean of Adult Education Terry Goodwin again brought in an overflow crowd to the third floor of Vermilion Hall.
This time, however, there was some positive support expressed towards DACC president Dr. Randy Fletcher and the Board of Trustees; especially by Larry Hinkle. Hinkle identified himself as a former Danville Junior College Business Department Chair, first hired by Mary Miller in 1967. Hinkle praised Dr. Fletcher, and at one point said, quote, “when I was asked to speak here tonight.”
(2nd Picture) Former Danville Junior College Business Department Chair Larry Hinkle faces the crowd during his Public Comment speech.
After everybody cleared out for Closed Session, however, Hinkle told CIMG that ONE, he did not care to comment further; and TWO, that he had volunteered on his own to speak during Public Comment.
Another of the Public Comment speakers was former Board of Trustees member; along with former DHS principal and Schlarman Academy Interim Principal Tracy Cherry. She emphasized, as she has before, that a change in the culture of DACC that she keeps hearing about is a major concern to her.
AUDIO: We need to remember the good things that Terry Goodwin and Dr. Bridges and Chantal Savage Bryant brought to this college. All the wonderful programs that have been put in place since Dr. Bridges got here. And, I think we tend to forget that.
Former Adult Education Director Chantal Savage Bryant chose to officially resign after receiving her dismissal notice.
The last two of the eight Public Comment speakers, Brock Dieu and Jay Fowler, both expressed extreme support for Terry Goodwin. Fowler spoke with CIMG afterwards.
AUDIO: I’ve known the man for many years. He is of the utmost integrity. And I can’t imagine that he would ever do anything wrong intentionally.
Two items of high interest also happened prior to Closed Session. Early on, Board Chair Greg Wolfe stated that the matters involving Goodwin and Dr. Bridges COULD be discussed in open session, but that “the council for the impacted employees requested closed session.” Hence, Wolfe stated, they are doing what is required.
The second high interest moment happened as the motion to go into Closed Session was made. Recently sworn in Student Trustee Leonidas Hamza asked to speak. He stated that after hearing much on the Bridges and Goodwin cases in Closed Session last week, he found the facts and summaries presented as “not ultimately convincing.” Hamza also said that he believes if the allegations, such as misappropriation of funds, had actually happened as presented, then he does not see how the Board of Trustees would not have known about it.
No action was scheduled by the board following a Closed Session intended, according to the agenda, “to discuss matters pertaining to the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.”
A final Board of Trustees vote following the employment hearing earlier this month concerning Goodwin and Dr. Bridges is still pending.
FOR MORE ON WEDNESDAY’S SPECIAL DACC BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING; READ THIS ARTICLE BY THE NEWS-GAZETTE’S JENNIFER BAILEY https://www.news-gazette.com/news/dacc-board-hears-more-calls-for-truth-in-employees-funds-investigation/article_ee8c8e12-66b1-4532-a3c2-fed3ff1eedfe.html
