HCC board votes 5-2 to censure trustee Wilson over turmoil

Houston Community College trustees narrowly voted late Thursday to censure their most outspoken colleague, accusing him of publicly criticizing his colleagues’ votes and showing a lack of respect in the board’s decision-making process, among other items.

Dave Wilson, elected to the board in 2013, said Thursday that he believes he acts “in the best interest of this board and this college.” He denied the allegations as set out in the resolution, including one that accused him of incurring thousands of dollars in legal fees to the college.

In the last six months, Wilson has paid an outside investigator to probe the college, accused a colleague of violating board rules by casting a vote remotely, and accused another colleague of not living in her district.

Trustees said he created a tumultuous environment that HCC’s accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, noticed.

Several trustees indicated Thursday that they would vote for the censure to show the accrediting body that Wilson did not control the board.

Five trustees approved the measure: Eva Loredo, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Capo, Adriana Tamez and Neeta Sane.

Two voted against it: Wilson and Robert Glaser.

John Hansen and newly elected trustee Pretta VanDible Stallworth abstained.