Breitmeyer to exit college in July

May 11—Chris Breitmeyer, the president of Clatsop Community College, will leave his position by the end of July.

The college board met Thursday morning in a special session to give a joint statement with Breitmeyer and discuss the next steps.

Trudy Van Dusen Čitović, who was appointed as the board chairwoman following the resignation of three board members on Tuesday when Breitmeyer's departure was announced, read the statement.

"Both President Breitmeyer and the board express their gratitude for the accomplishments achieved during their shared tenure," the statement said. "Their collaborative efforts have played a pivotal role in advancing the mission and vision of Clatsop Community College, fostering academic excellence and empowering students to pursue their educational goals.

"The Board of Education recognizes President Breitmeyer for his dedication, passion and tireless efforts in advancing the mission of the college over the last six years. They express their gratitude for the strong leadership provided and the positive impact made during his tenure."

The statement described Breitmeyer's departure as his decision to move on with the full support of the board.

Breitmeyer, who has served as college president since 2016, was named as a finalist for president at Ohlone College in Fremont, California, earlier this year, but missed out on the role.

After Thursday's meeting, Van Dusen Čitović said that Breitmeyer being named a finalist in Fremont initiated a conversation about a potential separation agreement.

"Really just because I was ready to move on and I wanted to, frankly, make sure that my transition out was smooth," Breitmeyer said after being asked by The Astorian about the separation agreement. "That's really all it is, to make sure that as I'm moving forward that it's smooth and there are no questions for future employers or anything like that."

The separation agreement, which was obtained by The Astorian on Wednesday after the college board declined to provide it when it was approved on Tuesday, states that he will resign effective July 31.

Breitmeyer's contract was set to run through June 2024. The agreement waives a requirement for Breitmeyer to give six months' notice prior to his resignation.

Under the settlement, if Breitmeyer gains employment before he leaves the college that starts in September, he will receive six months of severance pay. If he does not land another position before he leaves the college that starts in September, he will get 11 months of severance pay.

Breitmeyer agreed not to negotiate a starting date for a new job that begins after Sept. 1 for the purpose of obtaining the larger severance payment. His salary as president is $173,795.

Breitmeyer and the college board have agreed not to make disparaging comments about each other, according to the settlement. He will also assist with transitioning the duties of the president.

The joint statement from the board and Breitmeyer also mentioned a plan to bring on an interim president before Breitmeyer departs to create a smooth transition. The board will engage in a search to fill the role permanently.

Three board members — Rosemary Baker-Monaghan, the board chairwoman, along with Sara Meyer and Karen Burke — resigned at the regular meeting on Tuesday in the wake of the separation agreement.

Meyer cited Breitmeyer's departure as a reason for stepping down and said a majority on the board wanted a new president. Meyer and Burke also pointed to the dysfunction of the board, claiming that other board members have acted in bad faith and damaged the board's responsibilities.

Asked by The Astorian about the criticism, Van Dusen Čitović cited a difference of opinion over the role of the board.

"The board members — I don't want to speak on their behalf, but what I understood from them is that the role of this board was simply to administer policy and not be actively involved in management of the college," she said. "My view is that the board has the full authority of the general powers that the state has given public boards and that the policies exist to allow the board's intent to be fulfilled on campus and the policies aren't controlling the board, more so the board controls the policies. And so that's where the difference in strategy for leadership came from."

Van Dusen Čitović said she plans to hold a listening session at the college on Tuesday with Breitmeyer for people to ask questions.

The college board will wait until next week's election wraps up to make appointments to the vacant seats left by the resigning board members.

Ed Johnson, a farmer in Brownsmead, and Marc Gendelman, the director of rehabilitation services at Ocean Beach Hospital in Ilwaco, Washington, are competing for Burke's position. The winner is expected to be appointed immediately.

Lloyd Mueller is running unopposed for the seat occupied by Nicole Williams, who chose to not run for reelection. Mueller is also expected to be appointed after the election.

Board members Jody Stahancyk and Tim Lyman are unopposed for reelection.

The board will hold a special meeting on Wednesday to make appointments, declare a vacant position and, in executive session, weigh interim options.

"(The message) is that President Breitmeyer is still here, he's in full effect through the end of July and he will be involved and his opinion will be valued as we move to select an interim president," Van Dusen Čitović said.