College Trustees OK $1,000 in Travel Costs

Despite facing an $800,000 budget shortfall that could mean dipping into reserves, laying off teachers or cutting classes, Ventura County Community College District trustees have approved more than $1,000 in travel expenses for themselves.

The expenditure was approved late Tuesday at a meeting of the district’s governing board.

It calls for Trustee Karen M. Boone to receive $631.50 for registration and accommodations at the Community College League of California’s annual convention in Irvine between Nov. 17 and 19.

Board President Allan W. Jacobs also will have his $285 conference registration paid by the district. But there are no accommodation expenses because he plans to travel and stay in his own motor home, said Barbara Buttner, the district’s director of governing board relations.

Also approved late Tuesday was a $162.75 travel expense for Trustee Pete E. Tafoya, who will attend another meeting in Irvine next month. However, Buttner said, the Board of Governors may pay for Tafoya because he also is a member of that panel.

Boone, an appointed incumbent who is facing two challengers on the Nov. 8 ballot, said she would give the money back and skip the conference if she is not elected.

“It won’t be coming back to the district with any return on its investment if I’m only going to be on the board for another few weeks,” she said.

Trustees on Tuesday also directed staff to devise specific ways to whittle $800,000 from its $59.6-million budget without using reserves, closing classes or laying off employees.