With RCC Reeling Over Budget And Staffing, Lawmakers Appoint Trustees

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Two weeks after Rockland Community College trustees ousted the president who uncovered its financial crisis, County lawmakers have appointed two new members to the board.

County Legislator Dana G. Stilley and Legislative Fiscal Director Moshe Gruber were the unanimous choices of the Rockland County Legislature’s bipartisan Multi-Services Committee.

The full board voted Tuesday to appoint them.

There are 10 seats on the RCC Board, including five appointed by the County Legislature. Of those five, four were filled. Another board member’s term had expired.

“We wanted to take action to make sure we’re addressing the concerns that have arisen at the college,” County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood, Jr. said. “Many, if not all legislators, myself included, feel we want to do what we can to assist the college as it works through the crisis it is facing. The new members offer expertise that can benefit RCC as it works to move forward.”

Legislature Minority Leader Lon Hofstein said that Rockland Community College is important in the lives of many.

“Whether someone is starting out on a college or vocational path or looking to make a career change, RCC is a vital resource and it is my hope that will continue,” Hofstein said. “The college and its board face significant challenges that will require innovative solutions to preserve what we all fondly call the ‘Jewel of Rockland County.’”

Dr. Lester Edgardo Sandres Rápalo began work July 1, 2023. SEE: Rockland Community College's New President Has Lofty, Specific Goals

However, Rapalo inherited an $8 million deficit which only came to light after his predecessor, Michael Bastone, left in 2022 mid-contract for a job in Ohio. When RCC officials had submitted their budget to county officials in the spring of 2023, no indication was given that there was an issue with their finances, a county spokesperson told Patch.

In October, as college officials grappled with a structural deficit of $3.4 million for the current fiscal year, the faculty began protests over layoffs, furloughs, early retirement, voluntary separations and other cost-cutting measures Rápalo recommended.

In April, the Student Government Association, Rockland Community College United Federation of Teachers, and the Administrators and Staff Association all called for his ouster, saying that the stress of faculty members had created a tense and worried atmosphere on campus. The Faculty Senate said Rapalo was "unilaterally moving towards layoffs in a way it says was 'cruel' and showed a 'lack of respect,'" Outlook Student Press RCC reported.

The trustees kicked him out June 6 and issued a statement about it June 7, saying they had "agreed to part ways."

The trustees did so before negotiating a severance agreement. The statement said negotiations about the terms were "ongoing."

The Board appointed Beth Coyle, who had been Vice President of Operations at RCC from 2018 to 2023, as "Officer in Charge." Virginia Melendez, who had been Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at RCC, was appointed "Chief of Staff."

"The Board remains dedicated to maintaining Rockland Community College as a beacon of learning and opportunity, and we appreciate the community’s continued support during this period of transition," the trustees said in their statement.

Stilley holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Applied Mathematics from Brown University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management Science from Columbia Business School and a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University.

She has many years of experience in the financial industry, higher education administration and teaching. She is completing her tenure on the South Orangetown Central School District Board of Education, having previously served as the president of the board.

The first African American woman to serve on the County Legislature following her 2023 election, Stilley previously served as a member of the RCC Executive Cabinet as an Associate Vice President (2014-2016) and as a Vice President (2016-2019).

“RCC is a vibrant and essential higher education institution in our community,” Stilley said. “I look forward to bringing my wealth of professional experience in higher education and educational training and expertise to assist the Board of Trustees and College navigate through this challenging time.”

State Education Law Section 6306 permits one member of the County Legislature to serve on the RCC Board of Trustees. (https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/education-law/edn-sect-6306/)

Gruber serves as the County Legislature’s Director of Fiscal Affairs. He is a Certified Public Accountant who lived in Spring Valley for his entire adult life.

After graduating from UTA Mesivta of Kiryas Joel, Gruber earned his Master of Science in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2018. In 2019, he passed the uniform CPA examination, his high score earning him the prestigious Elijah Watt Sells Award. He has worked with a local public accounting firm for both profit and not-for-profit businesses, and with several national firms in NYC where he worked with large real estate investors and private equity funds.

Gruber is a strong believer in the value of education, and volunteers with community organizations who serve children and adults undergoing medical treatment.

“I look forward to assisting my colleagues on the RCC board and to working with faculty, students and relevant stakeholders to ensure RCC continues to fulfill its mission of transforming the lives of county residents by offering quality educational programs to help them thrive in today’s rapidly evolving economy,” Gruber said.

In addition to the five members of the RCC Board of Trustees appointed by the County Legislature, four are appointed by the New York state governor and one is a student elected by their peers.

As of June, the board had just nine members, including the legislative appointees; three gubernatorial appointees; and the student representative.

County Legislature appointees serve 5-year terms; gubernatorial appointees serve 7-year terms.

The other legislative appointees: Elana L. Yeger, Esq., Legislative Counsel to the County Legislature; Ileana Eckert; and Grant Valentine.

Gubernatorial Appointees: Martin Wortendyke, RCC Board Chair; Susan Oelkers-Ramos; and L'Tanya M. Watkins, Esq.

SEE:

• With Staff Cuts Looming, RCC Offers Details About Deficit
• Layoffs As Rockland Community College Deals With Budget Woes