The head of City College of San Francisco announced plans to resign, saying in an email to colleagues that he decided against renewing his contract past this school year.
Chancellor David Martin told college leaders and staff Thursday he would not seek an extension of his current contract, which concludes on June 30, according to a press release from City College Board President Allen Wong.
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“My intention in sharing this with you now is to ensure the college and board have ample time to plan and prepare accordingly,” Martin reportedly wrote in the missive. “Returning to CCSF has been an honor and I am extremely grateful to have been just a small part of this community. Thank you for everything.”
Prior to his time as chancellor, Martin served as the Monterey Community College District superintendent and president. He also served as the interim vice chancellor of finance and administration at City College San Francisco from 2015 to 2017.
“Chancellor Martin provided our college with leadership when the college was faced with a rough patch and helped provide steady leadership to the college when we needed it most,” Wong wrote. “I understand that he is exploring new opportunities and I wish him the best.”
Wong said that the school would immediately begin to look for a new chancellor.
“Whoever starts next year will have enormous shoes to fill,” he said.
According to City College Trustee Shanell Williams, Wong's statement was not approved by the Board of Trustees and disputed the statement.
Williams said Martin's decision was due to ongoing differences of opinion between the chancellor and members of the board on how to make the process for the college's budget more equitable amid looming accreditation renewal in 2024.
“It's the unwillingness of our stakeholders on the board to engage and a fair process. He's (Martin) just being pushed into a corner,” she said, adding a group of trustees would be delivering a vote of no confidence in Wong at the next board meeting on Thursday.