Momentum builds for an internal investigator for San Mateo County Community College District

The proposal has gained momentum in recent months, following officials agreeing to cut ties with Galatolo amid an ongoing investigation by District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe into potential criminal conduct committed by the former chancellor during his nearly two decades atop the district.

Reflecting on the criminal investigation, as well as an internal examination that ultimately persuaded officials to sever their relationship with Galatolo, Trustee Lisa Petrides said she is hopeful the auditor will help officials fix a system found to be flawed.

“There are real systemic problems that need new ways of thinking to solve,” said Petrides.

Petrides’ perspective backed opinions from board Vice President Richard Holober and Trustee John Pimentel, who formed a subcommittee dedicated to refining expectations for the potential position.

“I think it is a healthy, functioning part of any government organization,” said Petrides.

Advocates for the position claimed that professional expertise is needed to help officials protect the district from the sort of financial malfeasance that Galatolo is alleged of committing.

Documents unveiled by the Daily Journal alleged the former chancellor directed district contracts to friends who in return showered him with secret, lavish gifts. He also privately negotiated with the district a contract for an annuity plan worth at least $1 million, according to the documents.

In light of the findings, officials agreed last month to terminate the $467,000 chancellor emeritus position which Galatolo transitioned to after unceremoniously departing from the active chancellor’s post before the district attorney’s investigation was made public.

With Galatolo’s successor Michael Claire moving to the district’s top post, those who favor the internal auditor position see an opportunity to install safeguards.

“This is a calm time with a great team, now is the time for us to optimize,” said Pimentel.

Not all officials supported the proposal so enthusiastically. The most notable criticism was raised by board President Thomas Nuris, who was unsettled by terms in the proposal that would allow the auditor to report directly to the board.

The proposed reporting protocol unsettled Claire too, who feared that the unorthodox arrangement would threaten the district’s accreditation. For his part, Holober suggested there is precedent for the proposal and favored allowing a third party to assess the appropriateness of the suggestion.

Officials agreed the issue needs further examination, and anticipate that it will return for discussion at another meeting later this month. But advocates steadfastly supported the proposal to fortify the district’s commitment to transparency.

“We are here to put as much sunlight on as many functions as possible,” said Pimentel.

In other business, trustees suggested they favored temporarily extending the contract with Exos to continue operating the San Mateo Athletic Center. But looking ahead, they plan to issue a request for proposals seeking other qualified operators and officials expressed their interest in allowing the district to run the facility.

Noting that the current contract with Exos is costing the district millions of dollars to run a facility operating at limited capacity due to the pandemic, officials looked for a more desirable arrangement.

“I hope that we don’t stick with the status quo,” said Trustee Maurice Goodman.

Officials have temporarily extended the Exos contract while they determine next steps, and with a deadline looming to approve the next extension, Pimentel raised the question of whether the district should seize the chance to take over operations.

Claire scoffed at the proposal though, suggesting that administrators are already spread thin and suddenly adding another task would be too burdensome.

“To put that on us now, it will be a disaster,” he said.

Rather than move rapidly, Claire urged officials to establish a vision for how the gym will operate, with an eye to what’s next when the new gym opens at the Cañada College campus.

For his part, Goodman said officials should consider all the options available.

“Now is the time to consider everything before keeping things as is,” he said.

austin@smdailyjournal.com