Lakeland Community College’s Board of Trustees recently voted 6-3 to eliminate staff positions in an effort to “balance its budget.” (News-Herald file)
During a recent special meeting, Lakeland Community College trustees voted to eliminate 25 management and staff positions as part of “cost-saving measures” to balance the school’s budget for fiscal year 2024.
Impacted employees were notified following the meeting of their employment ending Jan. 3, and, according to officials, the college’s human resources department will assist them in their transition.
In an official statement, Board Chair Jerrie Lee Rispoli noted the decisions were “difficult, but necessary,” as colleges nationwide deal with the reality of lower enrollment.
“As stewards of the institution, the board has a responsibility to ensure the long-term sustainability of the college,” she added.
Eliminations covered all areas of the college, including academic and student affairs, administrative technology, marketing, development, business services, and human resources.
Lakeland also offered a voluntary separation program for management and staff with 10 or more years of experience — 29 employees chose to participate, leading to their separation from the college effective Jan. 3.
Six additional Post Retirement Employment Program (retire-rehire) affiliate employees will separate in early February. Two additional employees tendered resignations.
“We are committed to minimizing the impact on our students’ educational experience and maintaining the excellence for which Lakeland is known,” said President Morris Beverage Jr. “The commitment and contributions of these employees have played a vital role in shaping our institution’s success.”
In addition to Rispoli, board members who voted yes were Lake County commissioners’ appointees Matthew Hebebrand, Nancy Fellows, Ellen Folley Kessler, and Janet Majka, and Gov. Mike DeWine appointee Beverly Vitaz, with commissioner appointee Stephen Ellis, and state appointees Jack Cornacio and Paul Rupert dissenting.
Lakeland confirmed that employees whose positions are eliminated may file for unemployment and receive health benefits through the end of January, adding, that as a public institution, the college pays a portion of those unemployment costs.
Additionally, employees who elected to take a voluntary separation will receive financial incentives in subsequent fiscal years.
Overall, officials stated, savings from position eliminations total about $1 million, with savings from the voluntary separation program of about $1.2 million during the balance of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, with annualized savings of over $5 million.
Noncommittal regarding additional eliminations, Lakeland “anticipates” that the current wave of layoffs/cuts “will be the most significant round….”
Community members, faculty, and staff continue to question multiple elements of the board’s action, which professor and Lakeland Faculty Association President Tobin Terry described as “bloodletting.”
According to Terry, the Nov. 14 meeting was called to order and immediately moved into executive session, where, after roughly 10 minutes, Beverage left the building.
“About two and a half hours later, all other administrators were excused and the board members remained,” he said. “After approximately 15 minutes alone (in executive session), the board reconvened the meeting. Upon reconvening, Trustee Hebebrand motioned to accept the personnel report with “involuntary termination due to lack of funds….as recommended by the college president….
“With that, the meeting was over, fewer than 10 days since receiving the Nov. 5 (internal email) ‘Morris’ Musings’ indicating that ‘Over the next few weeks,’ the administration would ‘prepare a balanced budget for the board’s consideration at its Dec. 7 meeting.’
“Before the meeting began, I personally handed the trustees a message, from me, endorsed by the Lakeland Faculty Association, which expressed support for our campus colleagues, spoke to the consequences of the proposed cuts, asked for a delay in the vote, and requested greater input from Lakeland’s stakeholders,” Terry said.
“I am saddened and disappointed by these events, the accelerated timeline, the absence of transparency, and the limited community input.”
According to additional statements from the school, due to the need to identify additional savings before the board’s meeting, changes to the voluntary separation program timeline were necessary and communicated to eligible employees Nov. 7.
Moreover, officials noted, the action was taken as “Lakeland has been building up its reserves for the past…
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