The College of the Canyons Board of Trustees voted late Wednesday to place Interim CEO David C. Andrus on paid administrative leave, pending termination, despite public outcry and formal resolutions of support from faculty, staff, and the community.

The decision which was finally revealed at nearly 1 a.m. Thursday immediately drew anger from those in attendance, many of whom accused the board of retaliation for Andrus’ efforts to release a forensic audit into the college’s finances under former Chancellor, Dianne Van Hook. However, the board voted unanimously to release the forensic audit to the District Attorney’s office. 

The removal is expected to intensify mistrust between the board and the campus community, which has already issued a vote of no confidence in Board Vice President Fred Arnold and President Sharlene Johnson.

Over 100 people at the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees meeting to hear the decision on the fate of Interim President David Andrus (Sophia Lesseos | KHTS)

The vote to place Andrus on paid administrative leave and moving toward termination marks the latest chapter in a year-long leadership crisis that began with the sudden departure of longtime Chancellor Dr. Dianne Van Hook, who left under scrutiny in 2024 and has since filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the district.

Van Hook’s Legacy and Controversial Exit

For 36 years, Dr. Dianne Van Hook presided over College of the Canyons, guiding it through explosive growth. 

Enrollment rose from 2,400 to 17,000 full-time students, the annual budget swelled from $8 million to more than $400 million, and the campus expanded fivefold. She became one of the most recognized leaders in California community colleges.

Jade Aubuchon | KHTS News

But in July 2024, trustees abruptly placed Van Hook on administrative leave after a closed-session evaluation. 

The board gave no explanation, citing confidentiality rules, though critics raised concerns about fiscal irregularities and governance failures. Just days earlier, Trustee Chuck Lyon had resigned suddenly following another closed-session meeting.

By October, Van Hook filed wrongful termination and discrimination claims, alleging she was forced into an “abrupt retirement” through misuse of a staff climate survey, harassment, and retaliation. 

Her lawsuit is ongoing.

Andrus Steps In

In the wake of Van Hook’s removal, the board appointed political science professor and former Academic Senate President David C. Andrus as interim CEO. His appointment was meant to stabilize the college during a search for permanent leadership.

Andrus quickly prioritized transparency, shared governance, and open access to leadership. 

Most significantly, Andrus pressed for the investigation of a forensic audit examining college finances under Van Hook. 

Forensic Audit Under District Attorney Review

At the center of the leadership crisis is the long-awaited forensic audit into College of the Canyons’ finances during Dr. Dianne Van Hook’s administration. Faculty and staff say the audit identifies hundreds of thousands of dollars in questionable or untracked expenditures, making its release vital to restoring public trust.

Preliminary findings suggest that approximately $12 million may have been misallocated across 700 projects, with indications of possible personal benefit.

But trustees now say the report cannot be released because the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing its findings. 

Releasing the document while prosecutors are conducting their own investigation could compromise sensitive information or jeopardize potential criminal proceedings, according to board members.

During the Sept. 10 board meeting, Michael Monsour, President of the Classified Senate, underscored what the DA’s involvement signals about the credibility of the audit:

“I think what was just said is this administration has done a complete job in their internal forensic audit, and are not revealing to us the internal forensic audit because the District Attorney’s Office have found that report credible enough to pursue their own independent investigation of that. That speaks to the absolute, I don’t think the District Attorney is going to take fluff. … Now it seems like there’s some vindication, at least it sounds like there is, in that whatever it is, and none of us have seen it, was credible enough for the District Attorney’s Office to review seriously. That alone could be its own board meeting of significance.”

For many faculty and staff, the DA’s review validates Andrus’ insistence on accountability.

Conflict With the Board

Rumors suggest that Andrus’ push for transparency put him on a collision course with Board Vice President Fred Arnold.

Speculation from faculty who wanted to remain anonymous has circulated that Arnold’s name may appear in the audit, fueling suspicions that efforts to oust Andrus were politically motivated.

College of the Canyons Faculty raise signs of disapproval against the possible removal of Interim CEO David C. Andrus (Sophia Lesseos | KHTS)

On Sept. 10, the board placed Andrus’ potential removal on its agenda under closed session item 2.3, drawing a packed boardroom with over 100 people – this was an overflow of faculty, staff, students, and community members. Nearly every speaker voiced strong support for Andrus.

“This is dirty politics in name and definition,” said faculty member Matt Funicello, accusing trustees of retaliating against Andrus. “You’re trying to label this man and to denigrate this man’s reputation for what?”

Jim Keller reminded trustees, “The community expects the results of that forensic audit to be released… It’s far better for us to know the worst than to let our worst fears become our truth.”

Allen Kieserman warned, “Many of us believe President Andrus is being threatened with dismissal because the forensic audit is about to be released.”

Despite the overwhelming opposition, trustees moved forward with his removal Wednesday night.

The final decision in closed session was announced around 1 a.m. early Thursday morning to a room full of upset faculty members.

The vote: 3 yes, 1 no, 1 abstaining. Trustees Arnold, Johnson, and Darlene Trevino voted yes –  Trustee Edel Alonso voted no, Carlos Guerrero abstained from voting.

Institutional Support Ignored

Andrus’ dismissal comes despite unprecedented institutional support:

The Academic Senate unanimously adopted a resolution praising his transparency and condemning any attempt to cut short his service

The California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 725, representing classified professionals, issued a vote of confidence, applauding his accessibility, ethical leadership, and fiscal responsibility in initiating the forensic audit

In the letter from California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 725 stated: 

“WHEREAS, the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 725 represents the classified professionals of College of the Canyons who are dedicated to supporting student success and advancing the mission of the college; and

WHEREAS, Interim President David Andrus has demonstrated a strong commitment to open communication, actively listening to and valuing the voices of classified professionals; and

WHEREAS, he has supported a fair and respectful bargaining process for contract negotiations, recognizing the importance of equity and collaboration; and

WHEREAS, he has built trust with employees by being accessible, open in communication, and fostering a culture of respect and wellbeing, while also creating a safe environment where concerns can be voiced without fear of retaliation or emotional harm; and

WHEREAS, he has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by bravely initiating a forensic audit to address past misuse of funds, ensuring a transparent process to strengthen the financial stability of the college; and

WHEREAS, he has provided ethical leadership during a time of significant administrative transition, offering stability and keeping the focus on student and employee success; and

WHEREAS, Interim President David Andrus has implemented and championed a collaborative shared governance model with collegial consultation, ensuring that all campus stakeholders have a meaningful voice in decision-making and cultivating a strong culture of trust, inclusion, and respect across the college community.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of CSEA Chapter 725 formally issue this Vote of Confidence in Interim President David Andrus, recognizing his commitment to fairness, transparency, shared governance, and integrity; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be shared with all members of the college community, the Board of Trustees, and relevant stakeholders as a demonstration of CSEA Chapter 725’s support for Interim President David Andrus’s continued leadership in guiding the college with a steadfast focus on student and institutional success.”

The Management Leadership Association (MLA), representing managers and supervisors, urged stability, warning that abrupt leadership changes could harm fundraising, recruitment, and student partnerships.

The statement made by College of the Canyons Management Leadership Association (COC-MLA): 

“College of the Canyons Management Leadership Association (COC-MLA), the body representing managers and supervisors, expresses its strong support for continuity of leadership during the search for a permanent President/Superintendent. Abrupt leadership changes, absent extraordinary circumstances warranting immediate intervention (which do not presently appear to exist), create disruption and instability that can be harmful to the institution. Such disruptions may significantly hinder the college’s ability to carry out its mission to students and the community. Potential impacts include weakened engagement with external partners such as local high schools and employers, diminished fundraising capacity, reduced ability to recruit new students, and challenges in attracting a highly qualified pool of candidates for the permanent President/Superintendent role. COC-MLA respectfully urges the Board to weigh the full scope of these potential consequences before considering any abrupt change in leadership. It is imperative that the institution, including the Governing Board, remain steadfast in its focus on student success.”

Resolution made by the Classified Senate Executive Board of Confidence in President/CEO David Andrus:

“Whereas, the Classified Senate has the duty to represent the voices of classified professionals and affirm leadership that demonstrates integrity, transparency, and a commitment to shared governance; and

Whereas, the membership approved a vote of confidence in President/CEO David Andrus by a margin of 93 in favor, 2 opposed, and 5 abstentions out of 100 votes cast; and

Whereas, President/CEO David Andrus has consistently shown openness and rapport with Classified employees, building trust through direct communication, accessibility, and a culture of respect and wellness; and

Whereas, President Andrus has spearheaded efforts to remodel shared governance, ensuring Classified voices are included in decision-making, while also holding multiple meetings and dedicating significant energy to implementing improvements identified in the campus climate survey; and 

Whereas, President Andrus has provided steady leadership during a time of significant administrative transition, including the near-immediate separation of the Deputy Chancellor position, the departures of the former CIO, the former Vice President of Business Services, and the former Vice President of Canyon Country Campus; and

Whereas, President Andrus demonstrated fiscal responsibility and courage by initiating a forensic audit to investigate wrongdoing and misuse of community funds, and has affirmed his commitment to holding accountable anyone found to have abused the trust and ethical standards of the District; and

Whereas, President Andrus has created a sustainable plan for growth that includes the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) on campus, aligning resources to meet the needs of students and the community; and

Whereas, President Andrus has led with transparency and integrity while addressing inherited challenges of budgetary shortfalls and enrollment pressures, and has done so after stepping into the interim presidency in the wake of the departure of the longest-serving CEO in the California Community College system; and

Whereas, President Andrus is recognized as a trusted, ethical leader who has made considerable progress despite these challenges, earning the confidence of Classified employees through his commitment to collaboration, wellness, and institutional stability;

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Classified Senate records and issues this Vote of Confidence in President/CEO David Andrus; and

Be it finally resolved, that the Classified Senate expresses its gratitude for President Andrus’ leadership, vision, and dedication, and affirms its confidence in his continued ability to guide the college with integrity, transparency, and a focus on student and employee success.

Respectfully Submitted,

The Classified Senate Executive Board”

No Confidence in Board Leadership

At the same time, frustration with the board’s leadership has intensified.

College of the Canyons Faculty raise signs of disapproval against the possible removal of Interim CEO David C. Andrus (Sophia Lesseos | KHTS)

Just one day before Andrus’ removal vote, CSEA Chapter 725 issued a vote of no confidence in Board Vice President Fred Arnold and Board President Sharlene Johnson, citing their lack of collaboration with employees, limited understanding of higher education governance, and interference in board matters. The resolution warned that targeting Andrus during the audit process “could appear as interference or even retaliation”

The College of the Canyons Executive board also voted on a resolution of No Confidence against Trustees Sharlene Johnson and Fred Arnold:

“Whereas, the Classified Senate has the duty to represent the voices of classified professionals and safeguard the integrity of shared governance; and

Whereas, Classified professionals are front-line employees who operate and support the majority of campus services that enable the college to serve students, making their views essential to the stability and long-term success of the institution; and

Whereas, the membership approved adopting a no confidence resolution by a margin of 96% to 4% of Classified and Classified Confidential participants (114 employees attended the meeting, with approximately 100 members active for voting); and

Whereas, this decision was not made lightly, but reflects serious concerns raised by Senate members regarding governance issues, many of which had already been brought to the Board for improvement; and

Whereas, these concerns were largely echoed in the open comments of the 2025 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Stakeholder Board Evaluation (a public record of the District), which was submitted for corrective action, but for which no significant corrective action has been observed in these trustees; and

Whereas, Senate members further perceive that Trustees Johnson and Arnold have not demonstrated sufficient competency or developed adequate understanding of college operations or shared governance, nor has the Senate gained confidence in their ability to credibly lead the college board and permanent CEO search; and

Whereas, the Classified Senate perceives that the lack of alignment with administrative leadership has become harmful to institutional stability, and further perceives that these trustees have overstepped their roles in ways that undermine administrative authority and show disregard for employee expertise;

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Classified Senate records and issues this Vote of No Confidence in Trustees Sharlene Johnson and Fred Arnold; and

Be it further resolved, that no concerns or motions were raised regarding Trustees Trevino, Alonso, and Guerrero; and

Be it further resolved, that this resolution is directed solely at the governance actions and decisions of Trustees Johnson and Arnold in their official capacity as board members, and is not a judgment of them as individuals outside their roles, nor a condemnation of their intentions; and Be it finally resolved, that the Classified Senate reaffirms its commitment to institutional integrity, shared governance, and the mission of the college, and expresses regret that this step became necessary, but asserts that its duty required a formal record of the ongoing misalignment, the absence of meaningful growth despite prior feedback, and the continued perceived insertion of these trustees into operational matters, all of which threaten the stability of the District if such conduct continues.

Respectfully Submitted,

The Classified Senate Executive Board”

After each organization read its letter of support for Interim President/CEO David Andrus and no confidence in both President Sharlene Johnson and Vice President Fred Arnold. Andrus asked for a 10 minute recess, once granted, Johnson ran out of the room with tears streaming down her face. 

David Andrus’s President Report

You could hear a pin drop in a room full of dozens of people as Andrus walked up to the podium to give his President report. 

Interim CEO David Andrus speaking at COC board of trustees meeting (Sophia Lesseos | KHTS)

He was initially going to address the ‘campus climate’ last but said he was “reverse engineering” his list and was going to address that first. 

“People might think that it’s easy listening to all of these accolades… I appreciate respect. I don’t need to be loved, I don’t need to be liked,” Andrus said. “Tonight really isn’t about me. It’s what I represent. It’s the fact that I am a member of this campus community that has happened for almost 24 years… I think tonight is probably one of the most significant moments of my life, but also at this college, and that’s because of everybody that came here, because they care about the district, the students.”

Andrus was speaking before a decision was made in the second closed session. 

Specifically talking about the forensic audit, “I can’t tell you how proud I am to have undertaken the decision to launch an internal investigation, because I couldn’t ignore what was brought to me, and I had a duty to do it,” he said. “It’s not fun, but I had a duty to do it, and I thank so deeply the investigation team with just the moral clarity of doing what’s right with no intent or no predetermined outcome, and you know who you are… I look forward to building a better tomorrow with everybody, including the board. I want to also say I am so proud of my colleagues.”

Fallout

After the announcement of Andrus’s paid administrative leave and pending termination, his attorney, Nikki Staggs, issued a statement in public comment:

“It is our understanding that the board’s decision to proceed in this course was not a unanimous decision, and we respectfully request that it be repeated. (which the board properly repeated the vote) My client has given almost 24 loyal years to this district with no disciplinary action ever. The board’s arbitrary, unsubstantiated, meritless allegations or lack thereof are absolutely baseless, as evident tonight, the President has executed his duties with the utmost care, vigilance and devotion to the campus and to the community. The President was appointed to lead this institution through a transition, and came in on the heels of a broken college culture and managed to revive a sense of family and repair the district, which was a sentiment that was so well articulated by all the public speakers this evening. It has been very evident that the President has an overwhelming support from faculty, staff and the campus at large. What is happening here is not about my clients, performance, it’s about politics… the law contract and California whistleblower protection is all forbid retaliation in the form of discipline, much less dismissal. We object to these charges as vague, ambiguous, retaliatory and unsupported. The President categorically denies all of the allegations. On behalf of the President, I object to the statement and any allegations reported this evening by the board. It has violated the Brown Act notice and participation records. It has breached his contract by disregarding the required evaluation process. It constitutes an unlawful violation pursuant to California labor and employment laws, including, but not limited to retaliation for whistleblower activity protected by Labor Code sections 1102.5 and 8547, and government code section 12940, the district is now on notice. Any further steps against the President will be met with all available remedies. We preserve all contractual, statutory and constitutional rights. A hearing on the termination will be had subsequent to this termination, subsequent to this meeting tonight, at a later time, pursuant to the decision made by the board, we have seen an outpouring amount of love for the president tonight. And as you can imagine, this is a very difficult situation for him, so if you can please respect his privacy for the time being, we would appreciate it.”

With Van Hook’s lawsuit ongoing, the forensic audit still unreleased, and the search for a permanent superintendent-president underway, College of the Canyons faces an uncertain future.

The COC Board of Trustees has now appointed Dr. Jasmine Ruys as acting CEO until a permanent superintendent-president is found.

For many, the removal of David Andrus represents not just the loss of a leader but the loss of confidence that the board is willing to confront the truth.

Ed. note: Content that was previously removed from the story has now been restored.

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