November 28, 2000

San Mateo County
Community College.; Foundation
3401 CSM Drive
San Mateo, CA 94402-3699 Mr. Ron Fick
tel: (630) 574-6229 Borel Bank & Trust
fax: (650) 574-6566 160 Bovet Rd.
San Mateo CA 94402

Dear Ron:

During my Thanksgiving vacation in Palm Springs, I gave some thought to 'what I want to do when my contract ends on June 30,2001.

It seems very certain that the Trustees of the District will launch another bond campaign in 200 1, and I prefer not to have any involvement in that event. As you know, I have strong feelings about that issue. As a consequence, I am writing to say that I will not be available for contract renewal at the expiration of my current agreement. I will prepare a plan for the January meeting for a transition.

Our organization has grown tremendously in the past four and a half years, and the average tenure of an executive director is just slightly more than four years, so I have certainly earned the right to move on to the next stage of my life.

I will keep you posted on things and will count on all Directors to give me a very positive reference if I decide to seek other employment.

Please distribute this letter to all Directors and consider it
public information.

If you have further questions, please call me at 574-6229.
Sincerely,

Darwin Patnode
Executive Director