Neil Fitzgerald | COC Is at a Treacherous Crossroads

When I first moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in 2012, I quickly felt at home with the community feel, the sense of service and people being so friendly and warm. I also learned quickly that one of Santa Clarita’s best assets was our College of the Canyons.

Many people told me that College of the Canyons was the “Jewel in the Crown” of the community.

Our college is now at a crossroads. Whether you agree with the decision over the former chancellor or not, the harsh reality is that COC is now being used as a political plaything and the consequence of bringing politics into the college is not going to help the people who matter the most, the students.

Sadly, many of us saw this coming in previous elections when the unions spent masses of money on a 19-year-old socialist being elected. The current board, many who are standing down, have left it to the last minute to move on the chancellor. Instead of having the guts and showing leadership, they let this drag on and on. They did not have a well-thought-out succession plan or long-term plan of action as our college is now in a state of shambles.

Whether we like it or not, COC is going to change, and I fear that if their successors follow the same path........

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