At approximately 11:50 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, the Board of Trustees came to a final vote of 3-2 in favor of terminating part-time counselor Kashara Moore. The two trustees who voted against the action were Sunny Zia, who was absent during roll call after the closed session, and Virginia Baxter.
“Education code 87665, the governing board may terminate the employment of a temporary employee at its discretion at the end of the day, week, or which is appropriate. The decision to terminate the employee is not subject to judicial review except at the time of termination,” Uduak-Joe Ntuk said.
Hours earlier at the start of the closed session faculty rallied in support of the accused counselor.
About 30 faculty members and staff showed up to the meeting dressed in red with green ribbons pinned to their shirts in support of the faculty member and several took to the stand during public comment in support of Moore.
Moore was the last of the speakers to take the stand.
“The investigation-findings report also inaccurately portrays my feelings. The report states that I show no remorse. I have supported the students and the community of Long Beach for over 20 years as a social worker and an educator,” Moore said.
“I would never conduct myself in that manner and as I stated in the beginning of the investigation the body contact was absolutely accidental,” Moore added.
The board announced they will hold another closed session and will make the decision after the open session portion of the meeting.
Dewayne Sheaffer, the man that hired Moore as a counselor at LBCC took the stand in defense of her employment. Sheaffer described her as a person with “high moral character who is always above board”.
“Diversity is important here at the college and yet she was the only African American faculty at commencement and this is what we’ve come to… it’s a bad look,” Sheaffer said.
Jimmie Flowers, an equipment tech at LBCC, knows Moore personally after attending a LEAD Academy in 2017-18 with her.
“What shocked me is that I have never seen a board member treat a faculty like that,” Flowers said, as he referred to the actions of trustee Herlinda Chico at the 2022 commencement ceremony.
Moore addressed her supporters after the trustees returned to the open session of the meeting.
“I wanted to take a moment to thank you all. I am grateful that we have been united for a cause, for something that is unjust. Whatever happens let’s maintain this energy of being one, of being one as a union, of being one for faculty and staff so that we can continue to move our college forward,” Moore said.