Sierra's next best move is to leave the past behind

"A recall, which would cost a great deal of money and take 27,000 valid signatures to get on the ballot, is neither practical nor in the best interest of educating current and future students." - Auburn Journal, May 21, 2006Those words of four months ago remain true for Sierra College. Under the new leadership of President Leo Chavez and the relative calm of board fireworks, the college appears to be moving forward from the controversy and politics that have embroiled the campus for the past two years.Staff, students and the community deserve to see progress continue. Let's hope the college's board of trustees and the Save Sierra College committee want the same.Last week's announcement that Save Sierra was dropping its recall effort of trustees Aaron Klein and Jerry Simmons should have surprised no one. With the high cost of signature gathering and the limited time to get the recall measure on the November ballot, the drive would have needed a well-heeled individual or two to bankroll the effort.Let's be honest, Sierra College is an educational institution, and a fine one at that. The controversial and expensive departure of former President Kevin Ramirez fueled by Klein, alleged staff micromanagement by Simmons, the loss of a bare-bones maintenance bond measure ... these matters and more overshadowed the solid learning that was going on inside the campus classrooms.While both sides attempted to claim victory - and save face - in the ill-fated recall effort, it was good to hear supporters and opponents both looking ahead to a future of cooperation and unity. It's time to move forward, both sides are saying, and that means putting the students, staff and facilities before petty board politics. In the next six months, it's very important the board:l Put the past in the past, and get back to living up to the college's mission statement of providing "a supportive learning environment to students with diverse goals, abilities and needs." l Welcome at least one new board member from November's elections and model respect, courtesy and professionalism inside and outside the board room.l Work with Chavez and business leaders to return Sierra College to prominence in local funding and assistance. The needs are many, and while taxpayers bear some responsibility, businesses need to be recruited in earnest.l Invite staff and Save Sierra leaders to participate in strategy sessions for Sierra's long-term operation and growth. Winning their trust and respect is key to avoiding "flashbacks" of the past year.For its part, Save Sierra needs to work constructively in all matters. If the group still aims to replace Klein and Simmons at the polls in 2008, it should do so by finding the best possible candidates - not by dredging up the difficulties and challenges of 2006.The next few years are critical for Sierra College as it deals with student growth, increased competition and a tightening economy. The college - not its politics - needs the full attention of the board and community to survive and thrive.