New SCCC measure could avoid automatic ousters

In the wake of a controversy last year, Suffolk County Community College trustees this week will consider a resolution that will permit excused absences from board meetings in the future to avoid ouster from the job.

The proposal follows an incident where college officials, citing county law, called for the removal of trustee Anne Shybunko-Moore who missed four consecutive meetings, one of them filming a state TV ad for Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s STARTUP-NY program.

Shybunko-Moore, owner of a defense business and a leading advocate for workforce training, he was later restored to the board of trustees by legislative resolution.

For gubernatorial trustee appointees, the new proposal would permit absences for good cause “excused by the board chairperson.” If the chairperson is absent, the approval for an excused absence must come from the governor.

For county legislative trustee appointees, the reason for the absence must be disclosed by the board chair during the open portion of the board of trustees meeting and be authorized by resolution approved by the board of trustees.