MORENO'S MISSION TO CONTINUE FOR NOW.

Byline: Daily News

SYLMAR -- Ernest Moreno, Los Angeles Mission College's interim president who was hired to hold the position for a year, will stay on at the college until a permanent president is found, college district officials have announced.

``Setting an absolute time frame for the selection process would be premature at this time,'' said Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor Darroch ``Rocky'' Young. ``President Moreno has done an outstanding job of confronting and resolving many issues on campus. However, he needs a bit more time to assist in policy development that will ensure the academic and financial success of Mission College in the future.''

Moreno, who has been serving as the one-year interim president since July, has said his top goals are to reverse the decline in enrollment and get the college back on fiscally sound footing.

Young, who is retiring this summer, also said in a statement that the LACCD will be selecting a new chancellor who will begin in August. The selection of a permanent president at Mission should be deferred to the new chancellor, Young said.

Moreno was brought to Mission from East Los Angeles College and has said he would like to return to his previous post after his time at Mission ends.

``While I can't wait to return to East, I do need a bit of extra time here at Mission to assist in the resolution of some issues in the next few months,'' Moreno said. ``I believe that it is best for the incoming chancellor, for the Board of Trustees, the students, staff and faculty at Mission that I remain here until a permanent president is selected.''