ABOVE: Former DACC Board of Trustees member, former DHS and Schlarman Academy interim principal Tracy Cherry addresses the board at start of special morning meeting; saying that the board must “be loyal to the college and not to individuals,” and must “stop personal stuff.”
A special Thursday morning (April 16th) at 8 AM Danville Area Community College Board of Trustees meeting was held. And Public Comment prior to the scheduled Closed Session concerning disciplinary and personnel matters brought out significant anger towards the current board and current president Dr. Randy Fletcher.
Once into closed session, which was called for and approved at 8:10 AM; the board was to conduct an employment hearing on the statuses of Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs & Student Services Dr. Carl Bridges, along with Dean of Adult Education, Literacy, and Middle College Terry Goodwin.
Former president Dr. Stephen Nacco was there, but it was his wife Cindy who addressed the Board during Public Comment; speaking with no provided podium and no provided microphone. Cindy Nacco told CIMG later that it appears to her that Dr. Bridges is being forced out because of jealousy.
AUDIO: Carl Bridges is a wonderful person. He served on different boards in town. The OSF Board, the Boys and Girls Club. And other things, where he gave of his time, above and beyond. And all the employees loved him, and they would go to him. And I just think that some people; I don’t know, I’m not a psychologist; that have an ego problem, can’t handle that.
(1st Picture) Cindy Nacco addresses DACC Board of Trustees during Public Comment; (2nd Picture) Mrs Nacco, Dr Nacco, and Tracy Cherry listen as the special meeting begins. (3rd Picture) Former Adult Literacy Specialist Deonta Brooks addresses the board.
Former Board of Trustees member, as well as former DHS principal and Schlarman Academy interim principal Tracy Cherry, spoke during Public Comment about things spiraling in a negative way since Dr. Nacco’s departure. She asked, “where is this coming from?” and “what has happened to the school and board’s integrity?” Speaking to CIMG afterwards; Cherry stated that Dr. Bridges seems to be a scapegoat for what administration wants to do.
AUDIO: And now we’re saying that he’s done all these illegal, unethical things; and that he needs to be removed. But I don’t think that has anything to do with it. I think that it started after Dr. Nacco was removed from his position, and I think that there was already a plan in place.
Former DACC Provost Dr. Carl Bridges
Dr. Nacco stated to CIMG that the allegations against Dr. Bridges, as well as Terry Goodwin, are technicality charges concerning a state grant. He says yes, he and Mrs. Nacco have plenty to say about what he calls the “current chaos” at DACC; but if there’s one person the community should be listening to about this, it’s an experienced local educator like Tracy Cherry.
AUDIO: What’s going on with Dr. Bridges needs to be publicly vetted; and with Terry Goodwin. It needs to be shown, it needs to be brought out in the light of day; not hidden at 8 in the morning the way this is. And when you hear from Tracy Cherry, you’re hearing from somebody who really has what they call “inside baseball information” about this. So, believe her. She has integrity.
Also speaking with us, and speaking during Public Comment, was former DACC Adult Literacy Specialist Deanta Brooks; saying he could not continue after the dismissal of two people above him that he highly respects.
AUDIO: Terry (Goodwin) and Chantal Savage-Bryant; he was the dean, and she was the director of Adult Education. When those dismissals happened, it changed the culture. It created a fear factor for all the employees that were in our department. We weren’t able to do our jobs effectively any more.
Dr. Carl Bridges spoke briefly with CIMG, waiting for his turn to speak at the closed session hearing.
AUDIO: This is an opportunity for Terry and I to present our side of the situation; to hopefully get the board to understand our commitment to this institution; and that we are men of integrity.
The closed session hearing was expected to last most of the day Thursday, and perhaps into Friday. Dr. Nacco predicted that if the board goes through with the dismissals of Goodwin and Dr. Bridges; there would likely be legal action to follow.
Dr. Randy Fletcher has previously told CIMG that he cannot comment on personnel matters.
FOR MORE ON THIS; READ THIS ARTICLE BY THE NEWS-GAZETTE’S JENNIFER BAILEY https://www.news-gazette.com/news/dacc-hearing-draws-community-support/article_7aabe800-a4d3-4e39-ab50-cf29f944bb29.html
ALSO: The following is a letter of support to Terry Goodwin, forwarded to CIMG by Deanna Witzel
I want to begin by expressing my deep respect for Danville Area Community College and its important role in our community. I had the privilege of serving on the DACC Foundation Board, and through that experience, I have gained a strong understanding of both the value the college brings to our region and the complexity of the decisions its leadership must make. I also serve on multiple boards, so I recognize firsthand the weight of responsibility and the challenges that come with governance.
I would also add that my husband Don and I owned a business with over 500 employees for 25 years. That experience required us to be highly attentive to the honesty and integrity of those on our team. We did not tolerate dishonesty in our organization, and that perspective has only strengthened the high value we place on the College’s need for the same standards.
It is from that perspective, with both respect for the institution and an understanding of leadership accountability, that I share my personal experiences with Terry Goodwin.
I have known Terry since 2007. In every interaction, he has proven himself to be a person of integrity, trustworthiness, and genuine commitment to serving others. Through his work with Serve Together, I have personally volunteered alongside him and witnessed his dedication to the community. What stands out most is that his service is not motivated by recognition or personal gain. He consistently shows up simply because he cares about making our community better.
In addition, my husband Don and I had the opportunity to work with Terry on a project at Crossroads Church, where we attend and where Terry serves as a part-time pastor. We were donating resources to install an electronic sign. In that process, Terry demonstrated a level of integrity that left a lasting impression on us. Rather than advocating for a more elaborate and costly option, he thoughtfully recommended a more modest solution that would still meet the needs effectively. Because financial resources were involved, we paid close attention to how funds were handled, and we could not have been more pleased with the honesty, transparency, and stewardship Terry demonstrated throughout the entire process.
Terry officiated our daughter’s wedding and my dad’s funeral. You don’t trust those life events to just anyone.
Based on my direct experiences, I can say without hesitation that Terry Goodwin is a man of strong character who consistently acts with integrity in both public and private settings. His actions reflect a deep commitment to ethical behavior and to the well-being of the community he serves.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspective.
