Alfredo Gutierrez submitted his letter of resignation from Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board on January 12, 2018. The resignation is effective January 26th. Gutierrez has served on the Governing Board since 2014.
Gutierrez is the immediate past president of the beleaguered Board. Gutierrez is a former Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Arizona State Senate.
His letter of resignation reads:
Laurin Hendrix
President of the Governing Board
Maricopa County Community Colleges District
Dear Mr. Hendrix,
Last summer I was involved in a freak accident resulting in a serious injury. It has taken months to recuperate. I am happy to say that I have almost fully recovered. Though I am vigorous and healthy once more the experience nonetheless forces me to make tough decisions regarding my remaining time. After much discussion with the family and much contemplation I have concluded that it is best I resign from the Governing Board effective January 26, 2018.
My years on the Governing Board have been important and fulfilling. Our work is vital to hundreds of thousands of students and their families every year. I believe I contributed to transforming the District from one that moves slowly, buoyed by external currents to one that is struggling to confront the future at the pace it demands. In that process we have all discovered that transformation is tough, particularly for an administration so comfortable with its past. The District will meet the challenge only if the Board continues to push forward. We owe that to our constituents, our students and to our faculty.
With great respect,
Alfredo Gutierrez