College Board’s Action Prompts Recall Threat

The Compton College Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to extend college President Warren Washington’s contract by only one year instead of the usual three, prompting the threat of a recall by citizens angered by the action.

Targeted by the recall would be board President Emily Hart-Holifield and recently elected members Ignacio Pena and Kent Swift. The three voted for the shortened contract over the protests of dozens of speakers at an emotional 6 1/2-hour meeting attended by about 300 people. Washington’s future had been in doubt since December, when the board delayed action on extending his contract.

Washington’s supporters have speculated that the vote may have been politically motivated. Hart-Holifield has denied that, saying instead that the one-year contract would give board members time to evaluate Washington’s performance before committing to a longer term.