Chancellor receives contract extension
by Chris Taylor, editor in chief

    The TCC Board of Trustees extended the Chancellor’s contract and restored voting privileges to a board member on Feb. 22.

    The board unanimously agreed to restore Gwen Morrison’s voting powers.

    Morrison pleaded no-contest earlier this year to tampering with government records. She had been charged with double filing expenses with both TCC and the Fort Worth Independent School District.

    Morrison is currently on probation as part of the plea. If she does not violate her probation, the conviction will not be recorded. This was the first board meeting that Morrison has attended since the plea bargain.

    The trustees also extended the contract of Chancellor Leonardo de la Garza by three years, to 2004.

    De le Garza also received a 5 percent salary increase, bringing his total salary compensation for this year to $225,750. His contract will be re-evaluated in January.

    The Board also discussed the possibility of redistricting. Attorney Tom Carr told the board that with the increase in population in Tarrant County, he suspects that the districts will have to be redrawn.

    If that happens, it’s possible that the entire board might have to run for reelection in May 2002.

    Carr proposed creating an advisory committee to ensure public participation in the redistricting plan. He suggested creating a committee of seven people consisting of one person from the district of each board member.

    The board will appoint residents to the advisory committee at the next meeting in March. The committee will meet with a demographer to determine whether the lines need to be redrawn and where to redraw them if necessary.

    Carr also explained that expansion of the board is another option that the Board can consider.

    The Board approved Coronado Builders, Inc. as the general contractor for the construction of the NE Campus warehouse.
    Using a competitive sealed bid proposal, which is the first time TCC has selected a general contractor in this manner, resulted in the selection of Coronado. Previously, the lowest bidder was awarded the contract.

    The College District Master calendar for 2001-2002 was also approved at the meeting.

    The Board will meet again on SE Campus on Thursday, March 22.