Ex-official may get college contract

SANTA ROSA — Gilbert Sena left as Luna Community Community College’s interim president under mysterious circumstances during the summer.

But he may soon be hired as a consultant for the school.

Sigfredo Maestas, the new interim president, told the Board of Trustees this week in Santa Rosa that the school was looking at entering into a contract with Sena, who served in the interim position for around nine months, to complete a report for the North Central Commission on Accreditation, which evaluates colleges.

Maestas said the contract would cost the school $30,000. Sena has performed this kind of work before, most notably during Luna’s last accreditation process.

Officials have said previously that the contract wouldn’t require Sena’s presence on campus.

The contract was supposed to be on the agenda for this week’s board meeting, but it was mistakenly listed as an agreement for legal services. Luna’s attorney advised that the trustees wait until the next meeting, so the public is properly notified.

The report to North Central is due Nov. 1, so the contract must be approved this month, officials said.

Sena became the interim president last fall after Leroy “Huero” Sanchez retired suddenly after a closed session with the board.

Sena was placed on leave during the summer, then-Luna attorney Jesus Lopez said at the time, but the college wouldn’t say why. Not long after, Sena, a longtime employee, left Luna, and Maestas took his place.

Luna is now looking for a permanent president.