Dr. Paul Bruinsma, the Dean of Instruction at Frontier Community College in Fairfield, has submitted his resignation following his placement on leave on November 21st for an internal review of a confidential matter. His resignation was officially tendered last Friday. The Illinois Eastern Community College Board of Trustees met last night in Olney for their monthly meeting.
Concerns regarding Dr. Bruinsma were highlighted last week in court documents related to his ongoing divorce. Additionally, it has come to light that he has a criminal conviction dating back to 2006 in Columbia, Missouri, where he was found guilty of 3rd Degree Assault. Following a jury trial, he was sentenced to 15 days in the county jail. Although Bruinsma appealed the conviction, the court upheld it.
In a related development, an emergency order issued by Judge Denton Aud in the divorce case prohibits Bruinsma from having any contact with his two minor children, aged 9 and 11. His wife, Lacey, has been granted exclusive possession of their family home on East Simpson Drive in Wayne City. This emergency order will remain in effect until at least January 22, 2025, when the next hearing in the divorce case is scheduled. Meanwhile, Dr. Jay Edgren, the President and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at Frontier Community College, has taken over the duties of Dean of Instruction in Bruinsma’s absence until the position can be filled.
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