Saddleback Community College District

In "Pay Deadlock Shapes Saddleback Races" (Oct. 21), several statements were made that were inaccurate. Class sections offered at the two colleges of the Saddleback Community College District have steadily increased, not decreased, as have enrollments. In addition, dividing the district into two community college districts would result in additional costs, not savings, as functions such as personnel, payroll and data-processing services would have to be duplicated. With regard to focusing a larger percentage of district revenue to the classroom, 81.1% of the district 1992-93 total general fund unrestricted budget of $63,913,463 is expended for salaries and benefits all employees of the SCCD, including staff and faculty at both colleges and district services.

Trustees of the Saddleback Community College District recently approved the creation of a new administrative position designed to ensure that affirmative action issues among district employees are being properly addressed. Linda M. Newell of Laguna Niguel began work last week as the college district's new director of affirmative action programs.

Trustees of Saddleback Community College District are seeking suggestions from the public for a new district name. Board members said there is confusion over the district's name because it is similar to the name of one of its campuses: Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. The district also operates Irvine Valley College in Irvine. John S. Williams, vice president of the board, has suggested that the district be renamed South Orange County Community College District.

To let the community know that is represents two campuses, Saddleback Community College District has changed its name. The board of trustees voted to rename the governing body South Orange County Community College District. For years, officials said, there has been confusion over the district's name because it is similar to that of one of its campuses: Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. The district also operates Irvine Valley College in Irvine. The name change becomes effective immediately.

Sixteen South County residents are vying to fill the term of the late Iris Swanson on the Saddleback Community College District Board of Trustees. District trustees will interview the candidates during public sessions today and Monday, and make a final decision as early as Tuesday, according to district officials. Swanson, 66, who was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1985 and was a founding employee of the Saddleback Community College District, died on June 9 of cancer.

Saddleback Community College District's board has scheduled a public hearing for Monday on proposed changes to trustee area boundaries. The seven-member panel in September decided to redraw district boundaries to give residents a more equal voice on the board, with each trustee representing roughly the same number of people. The trustees are elected by districtwide vote but must live in the area they represent. Monday's hearing will be at 7 p.m.

The Saddleback Community College District board has approved a $71.7-million operating budget for the new fiscal year, which began July 1. The budget is a 9% jump over the previous year. Trustees unanimously approved the spending plan during their Monday meeting. Much of the budget increase can be attributed to $3.7 million the college district received in delinquent local property tax revenue dating back to 1992, district spokeswoman Diane Riopka said.

Marcia Milchiker, president of the Saddleback Community College District Board of Trustees, has been reelected to a fourth term as a director of the Orange County School Boards Assn. Elected by about 180 school board trustees and 35 superintendents throughout the county, Milchiker will hold the office for another year. The association is the local branch of the California School Boards Assn.