TCC trustees start president search

TCC trustees start president search

Tallahassee Community College trustees took crucial steps toward selecting a new president Tuesday.

Three different sub-committees met throughout the day. They ranked a list of search consultants, planned a board retreat and discussed compensation for outgoing TCC President Bill Law. Their issues, however, can not be finalized until the full board votes on May 17.

Trustees Frank Messersmith and Eugene Lamb met Tuesday with TCC attorney Bill Mabile. They narrowed down their selections for a consultant to assist in the search for a new president. Their ranking was based on qualifications, budget and Florida experience. Consultant Jeff Hockaday was their top pick.

Hockaday was hired as the consultant more than eight years ago when Law was chosen as TCC president. He was one of the few consultants with experience in selecting a community college president.

“I’m firmly in favor of Hockaday,” Lamb said.Also, trustees Kimberle Moon and J. Allison DeFoor II were assigned to review Law’s compensation with Mabile.

Moon was concerned about a clause in Law’s employment contract that allowed him to have an additional annual leave payout providing he gave 365 days notice. Moon and DeFoor agreed that Law informed them when he applied for the St. Petersburg College position.

The contract says, “However, should Dr. Law voluntarily leave the position of President within the next four years (prior to April 30, 2010), Dr. Law will forfeit all additional annual leave.”

Law’s last day was April 30. Law’s annual leave comes to $54,934.65, according to a preliminary report.

Trustees agreed to have an administrator verify the figures prior to the board vote.

In other news, Moon and trustee chairwoman Karen Moore planned a board retreat for May 28 at Wakulla Springs Lodge. The two met with Steve Evans — who has agreed to facilitate the discussion.