May 08, 2008

Sen. Jack Scott named next community college chancellor

At least one termed-out senator has landed his next job. Sen. Jack Scott, the chair of the Senate Education Committee, has been named the next chancellor of California's community college system.

The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges announced a unanimous vote Thursday to name Scott, 74, the 14th chancellor of 109-college system.

Scott, who served as president of Pasadena City College for nearly a decade before his election to the Legislature, will take the helm of the community colleges on Jan. 1, 2009, after he leaves office.

In an interview, Scott joked he had "barely finished one job and (already) have another."

A soft-spoken member of the Senate, Scott holds great sway over education policy in California as the chairman of both the Senate Education Committee and the budget subcommittee on education.

He said he was approached by "10 to 15" people to apply for the chancellor’s job, which he said he was “honored” to accept.

"His extraordinary experience and demonstrated commitment to our community colleges is unsurpassed," said Lance Izumi, president of the Board of Governors, in a statement congratulating Scott.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also welcomed the pick. "The Board of Governors could not have chosen a more qualified or highly respected candidate," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

Scott said he hoped "to give good leadership to this wonderful system" of community colleges, which served an estimated 2.6 million students annually.

He said community colleges are "a system that needs greater funding."

"I have been and will consistently be someone who urges increased expenditures in higher education and K-12 education," Scott said.

Asked if his key role in crafting the state’s education budget and his new job would create a conflict of interest, Scott said, "I will simply exercise caution and prudent judgment." He said he would be particularly wary of taking positions on any area that "specifically impact the chancellor’s office."

"I will be very careful to be very prudent where there might be an appearance of a conflict of interest," Scott said.

Scott will receive a raise in his new job, which comes with a salary of $198,500 plus benefits. He also receives a state-paid car.

Sen. Bob Margett, a Republican colleague of Scott's representing Arcadia, said Scott "will have the support of Republicans and Democrats" in his new post.

Scott will replace interim Chancellor Diane Woodruff.

Posted by Shane Goldmacher on May 8, 2008 02:05 PM