College board president to plead guilty to Arizona DUI

Maricopa Community Colleges board President announced in a September board meeting that she was arrested for DUI on July 11.

At the time Colleeen Clark was arrested, she had a blood-alcohol level of .204%. She told arresting officers she had consumed just 2 glasses of wine. The arrest occurred in late July, but the announcement was not made until much later. According to Clark, she was waiting to speak with an attorney and determine a course of action before the informed the board of her arrest.

One member of the board is calling for Clark to resign. Debra Pearson says the recent charges is just the latest in a series of behavioral problems for the board president. She claims Clark's behavior has largely escaped media attention until now, but more should have been paying attention in the past.

Pearson says Clark's behavior has been generally irresponsible and has not assisted the board in properly administering the Community College operation. Clark has only been the president for about 9 months, but Pearson claims it will take years to fix the problems she has created by allowing personal issues to get in the way of making much needed decisions for the administration of the campuses.

The DUI is not currently being discussed publicly, but Pearson would like to change that. Clark has already taken responsibility for her actions and announced she intends to plead guilty to the charges. She will face mandatory sentencing under Arizona DUI law. Further information on the DUI arrest and proceedings will not be discussed by the board, according to statements.

The Faculty Association at large has issued a statement saying they are only concerned with the issues the colleges face and not with the personal issues of the board president. For now, the association intends to keep the issue away from matters of board concern.



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