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Ron Galatolo was chancellor of the San Mateo County Community College District for 20 years. Then, in 2019, he became a chancellor emeritus for the district.
But last week, the district’s Board of Trustees announced that it had terminated its relationship with Galatolo in light of facts stemming from an investigation by the county district attorney.
“In the course of the district’s cooperation with that investigation, various matters have come to light that do not appear to have been presented to the board by former Chancellor Galatolo,” the board wrote in a media statement. “These matters include the apparent use of public funds for retirement incentives, undisclosed personal relationships with vendors for the district, and undisclosed receipt of gifts from contractors who work for the District. These gifts appear to have included high-end travel, concert tickets and meals and do not appear to have been reported on a Form 700 as required b
Since some local jurisdictions, both large and small, have changed from at-large to district elections, often as a result of a legal challenge, there has been a steep price to pay. The loss of several outstanding officials who still had much to offer. Hereâs a recent list: Shelly Masur, Redwood City councilwoman, former elementary school board member, candidate for the State Senate. Redwood Cityâs new method of electing its council meant Masur ended up in the same new district as fellow councilwoman, Giselle Hale, who still has several years before her term is up unlike Masur whose term was up this year. In Menlo Park, Kirsten Keith, a major player in county affairs, lost her seat when the city changed to district elections. On the San Mateo County Community College Board of Trustees, the late Tom Mohr lost his seat to Richard Holober when the two were placed in the same district. Two years later, Dave Mandelkern, who brought a business perspective to the board, lost to col