IRVINE

The South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously last week to challenge part of a lawsuit filed by Irvine Valley College professor Roy Bauer. Bauer has alleged that the board violated the Ralph M. Brown Act on eight counts relating to the district’s 1997 reorganization of administrators. A court ruling was in favor of the district on all but two counts, both of which involved the hiring of Irvine Valley President Raghu Mathur. One said the hiring was not properly publicized, and the other that four members of the board erred by reaching a decision to appoint Mathur before a formal meeting. Chancellor Cedric Sampson said the district is appealing the judge’s finding that board members improperly reached a decision. Information: (949) 582-4841.