A handful of supporters spoke in protest of the abrupt reassignment of Oxnard College’s president at a recent district board meeting, echoing the sentiments of a Latino advocacy group that accused the district of lacking diversity in faculty and administration.

The reassignment of Oxnard President Lydia Ledesma-Reese, brought some members of the community to the Jan. 17 VCCCD meeting.

“I have a concern about the president leaving Oxnard College,” said Irma Lopez, a resident of the community. “How can you (the board) allow such a resignation of such a great woman? We are losing a big influence at Oxnard College and if she resigns Oxnard College will always be playing catch up.”

Many seemed to be in shock when they heard the news of her reassignment, effective June 30, to be followed by 18 months working as a consultant.

“Oxnard College is a great place to be,” said Edward Castillo a member of the community. “The resignation of the president is surprising and right now there are a lot of empty lots at Oxnard.”

The board also addressed accusations made by LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens, regarding diverse faculty members at Oxnard College. In response to the accusations, Chancellor James Meznek sent a letter Jan. 19th stating that “the actions that are taken are for the better of the community rather than a small group of disgruntled employees.”

The board also decided on a 3-2 vote that they would discuss moving its headquarters from the Camarillo Airport to leased property in Ventura in a future meeting. District offices are now located in a building that used to be a military barracks, at Skyway Drive. Employees have complained of illnesses they believe are caused by the lack of ventilation.

Board member’s Bob Huber and Art Hernandez voted against the proposal to because the move would relocate district offices to the west end of the county.