'Clean Slate' trustees named officers of divided College of DuPage board in tense first meeting

What some believe to be a new era at the College of DuPage started off with a rocky first few votes Thursday.

The Board of Trustees chose a new chair, vice chair and secretary – all affiliates of the triumphant "Clean Slate" candidates – during its organizational meeting.

However, those selections were far from unanimous.

Outspoken trustee and former vice chairwoman Kathy Hamilton was elevated to chairwoman. Deanne Marie Mazzochi was voted vice chairwoman and Frank Napolitano was named secretary.

All three votes were passed 4-3, split each time between the new majority reformers and the old guard of previous chairwoman Erin Birt, Joseph Wozniak and Dianne McGuire.

"The College of DuPage has been through tough times, times marked by extended and continuous denial," Hamilton said. "Those troubles are not yet over, but the causes of those troubles are. This institution faces criminal investigations, legislative disdain and alienation from constituents."

Members of the public in attendance largely cheered the new officers' election, many even giving a standing ovation.

However, the meeting also devolved several times into personal attacks among the trustees and public.

Hamilton said the board must be more responsive to the community to earn back its trust, and that constituents were "rightly outraged." She promised change would begin immediately, with the board considering voting on a transition team to address some of the college's policy problems later Thursday.

Mazzochi and Napolitano, along with Charles Bernstein, were elected trustees April 7 amid a storm of controversy over spending, board policies and more that ultimately led to a trio of federal subpoenas being served to the school in mid-April.

Former trustees Kim Savage and Nancy Svoboda were defeated in their bids for reelection, and outgoing trustee Allison O'Donnell did not seek another term.

The new board had an action-packed first meeting, highlighted by a nine-minute grilling of college Treasurer Thomas Glaser by Mazzochi about transparency and future policy changes and a heated awarding of certificates of appreciation for Savage and Svoboda.

The certificates thanked the two for their service, as well as that of outgoing student trustee Omar Escamilla.

Savage and Svoboda both spoke during the meeting, thanking those they worked with during their six-year terms and saying they were grateful for their time in office.

"It has been an honor and privilege to serve as a trustee of the College of DuPage for the past six years," Savage said, touting progress made in recent years. "I will always hold the college, the people of the college in my heart and in high regard, as you do amazing work in the community."

Hamilton said she admired those who participate in public service and said the sentiment of gratitude should be honored, regardless of controversy surrounding the school.

However, the meeting turned heated when Mazzochi asked whether passing the resolutions of appreciation was legally binding in any ongoing investigations. Both Wozniak and Birt bristled at her inquiries during what was supposed to be a moment of recognition.

Birt said Mazzochi was "completely disrespectful" and that Mazzochi was "showing [her] colors."

Savage and Svoboda both left during Mazzochi's questions before the official vote.