The MCC board of trustees has agreed to start looking for an interim president. Board members met at 5 p.m. tonight and immediately went into an hour-long executive session. When they returned, they said the board would begin a search for an interim replacement for retiring President Thomas Flynn. Board members didn't discuss potential candidates or salary. The interim president would be given a one-year contract.

Board members did not mention former MCC President Peter Spina, who is County Executive Maggie Brooks's choice for the interim position.

Meanwhile, the Rochester Business Alliance has urged the board to approve finalist Dennis Kessler as president. The other finalist is Bill Smith, former majority leader of the Monroe County Legislature. Critics charge that the search process is being rigged to give the presidency to Smith, a Republican favorite. The 10-member board is deadlocked between Smith and Kessler. 

State Assembly member Susan John has written a letter to SUNY Interim Chancellor John Clark. John wants the entire MCC board removed and for Clark to oversee the selection of replacement members. The lack of leadership on the current board, John writes, "is destroying the reputation and academics of the best community college in the nation."