A trustee on the Moraine Valley Community College board has criticized college administrators over efforts to hire new employees from within the college district.
Trustee Mary Nolan raised the issue at the board meeting last week when the board considered personnel reports. At issue was a proposal to hire Lee Balthazar, of Spokane, to be director of the Interactive Learning Center. The board voted 5-1 to hire Balthazar, with Nolan voting no.
Before the vote, she said she didn’t think the administration was making a concerted effort to consider in-district residents for some positions. She noted that of 400 applicants for a recently filled public relations special position, only 2 of 12 candidates interviewed were from the district. A woman from Geneva was hired, officials said.
Trustee Patricia Roach defended administrators, saying they were making a good effort. She said that because some positions are too specialized, a national search has to be conducted.
Board chairman John Donahue said he was pleased with the administration’s efforts, and that the board maintains its policy of directing administrators to give preference to a local candidate.
