When a college has to refund $270,000 to the foundation meant to
benefit the institution and that
”
item
”
is placed on a consent agenda by the college president, Steve
Kinsella, without a clue to inform the public as to what’s really
going on, that’s a game. It’s called hide-and-seek.
Gavilan College Trustee Tom Breen’s comment about the financial mess swirling around the Gavilan College Educational Foundation put everything in perspective: “It’s got to be simple for people like me to understand,” said Breen. “We can’t play games.”
Unfortunately, the games are in full bloom.
When a college has to refund $270,000 to the foundation meant to benefit the institution and that “item” is placed on a consent agenda by the college president, Steve Kinsella, without a clue to inform the public as to what’s really going on, that’s a game. It’s called hide-and-seek.
Since the story broke on the financial demise of the Gavilan College Foundation, the questions continue to mount. Meanwhile, Director Ken Berry has provided little concrete information.
Only student trustee Hannah Kempis seems to have made any common sense in this matter. She cast an advisory “no” vote regarding the refund and objected to the college continuing its annual $65,000 payment to the foundation for marketing and fundraising, saying those funds could be better used to prevent the college from having to cut classes.
What all the elected trustees should require is a full, independent audit, one that’s not done by the Foundation for Community Colleges, but by a reputable outside firm.
How exactly did the fund dwindle from more than $500,000 to $24,395 in 2.5 years?
How did the foundation lose nearly $80,000 from a golf tour, casino night and auction in 2007?
Are all the claimed personal expenses legitimate and in line with outlined procedures?
Where did the monies that were donated for specific purposes go? The 2009 audit showed $316,709 earmarked for a football and soccer stadium, for example, what happened?
The Foundation may be a real asset to the college, but the public trust has been breached and needs to be repaired.
That doesn’t get done by putting items of public importance behind the mask of the consent agenda. Trustee Elvira Robinson, thankfully, pulled the item out. Now, trustees have to collectively insist that a full report is publicly issued.
