The Long Beach City College Board of Trustees appointed an interim superintendent president at an open session meeting on Saturday, following the recent firing of Superintendent President Reagan Romali.
“I just ask that we execute this contract tonight,” said Trustee Sunny Zia at the start of the session.
The board took a vote to appoint former LBCC Vice President Lou Anne Bynum as the Interim Superintendent President which was finalized with unanimous “ayes” all around.
Bynum had been with LBCC for 20 years, retiring in 2017.
Her contract will last for six months, through Sept.
“There was some discussion earlier today on whether or not Ms. Bynum needed to be here… after some discussion the board wanted her to be here,” President Vivian Malauulu said.
According to Malauulu, Bynum arrived at the meeting 15 minutes after receiving a phone call requesting her appearance.
“You’re already showing your commitment to the college. Thank you very much,” Malauulu said.
Bynum then took to the podium to express her thanks to the board and all others in attendance.
“I’m just really honored to come back and really appreciative to have the honor and trust to come back and have the college transition during this time. This has always been my educational home,” Bynum said.
Even right after her appointment, Bynum appeared to have plans for the future of LBCC.
“First thing I’m going to do is meet with the vice presidents, check on the coronavirus, what’s going on to that question about faculty and staff,” said Bynum.
With COVID-19 taking more of a toll on Long Beach every day resulting in LBCC turning to online classes, the topic came into question.
“All of this is still on an upward curve so if we have to make adjustments, we have to be prepared for that and make sure that we get through this transition into online classes, smoothly,” Bynum said.