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REBECCA CATALANELLOMembers of the school's board of trustees will try to hire the new president by Oct. 19.
NEW PORT RICHEY - Pasco-Hernando Community College leaders officially began their search for a new president Tuesday, meeting for the first time to talk job descriptions, timelines and processes.
"This will, without a doubt, be the most important process and decision you make while you serve on this board," Florida Community College Chancellor David Armstrong told PHCC's nine-member board of trustees. "You will learn more about this institution than you ever could have thought you would learn."
Just three weeks after Robert Judson announced his plans to retire from the post effective Jan. 31, 2005, members of the nine-person board of trustees agreed to move ahead on the presidential search with the goal of hiring a replacement by Oct. 19, 2004, and having that person on the job by Feb. 1, 2005.
"We hate to see Bob (Judson) leave. We hate to have to go through this process. We wish that he would stay," said Trustee Tom Weightman, who is overseeing the search committee. But he added that he feels good about the direction the board is headed.
The board approved a job posting to be advertised in the Chronicle of Higher Education and Community College Times. After some discussion, members agreed that the candidates should have a doctorate, at least five years of senior-level administrative experience in community colleges and three years of teaching experience.
"Why limit ourselves?" asked Trustee Pam Vergara, who suggested they open the search to people with less than a doctorate but with comparable experience.
Vergara's suggestion failed by a 7-2 vote.
Applicants will be required to submit their materials by June 9. Though Judson currently makes $159,000, the salary of the incoming president will be negotiated.
The trustees also agreed 9-0 to pay vice president Sherry Thomas-Dertke $7,000 plus $700 for expenses to coordinate the search after her June 30 retirement. Thomas-Dertke will work on the effort for the duration of her regular employment with PHCC, said Weightman, who is heading the search committee.
In order to comply with the state's compensation laws that restrict re-employment for a month following retirement, Thomas-Dertke will wait until August to resume her work seeking a president.
"It seems like a reasonable price to me," Trustee Judy Braak said of Thomas-Dertke's compensation, after hearing from Judson that hiring an outside search firm can run upwards of $20,000.
Armstrong cautioned the board of trustees that they should be careful to follow the state's Sunshine Laws to the tee, as such processes tend to come under increased public scrutiny.
"You need to be concerned as much about perception as reality," Armstrong said.
Judson, who joined PHCC in 1972 as a psychology professor and counselor, has led the school for 10 years. In 1994 Judson replaced the PHCC's first president and founder, Milton Jones, becoming the first African-American to lead one of Florida's 28 racially integrated community colleges.
With about 19,000 students attending PHCC year-round at campuses in Brooksville, Dade City, New Port Richey and Spring Hill, the school is seeking to establish a permanent fifth campus in fast-growing Wesley Chapel.