Public Education

Santa Barbara City College President John Romo
announced he will step down from his position in
June 2008. Looking to spend more time with his wife, children, and
grandchildren, Romo opted to offer trustees ample time to find his
replacement by making his retirement decision public knowledge some
15 months before he plans to relinquish the reins. By the time he
leaves, Romo will have been on the SBCC faculty for 28 years,
including his presidential term, which began in 2002.

After eight previous hearings on the subject, the Santa
Barbara School Board unanimously passed several
modifications to its suspension and expulsion
process. Though the board still holds the final say on all
expulsions, the new rules allow students and parents seven days to
respond after an administrative hearing panel recommends expulsion.
During this period, the expelled party may now request a
supplemental hearing, in which either the board or a three-member
impartial committee of certified representatives will hear the
case. Other changes include the board’s right to deny requests for
supplemental hearings.