AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Community College System president who had the support of trustees despite coming under fire from Gov. Paul LePage is stepping down.
Trustees announced Wednesday that John Fitzsimmons is stepping down as soon as an acting president is in place.
The Republican governor said he wanted Fitzsimmons to resign because "nothing has happened in the last four years.'' LePage officials have said the governor had concerns about the system's decision to pull out of the Bridge Year Program and the delay in creating a process for transferring credits between community colleges and other colleges.
But only the Board of Trustees has the power to remove the president.
In the end, he removed himself, saying his presence jeopardized funding. Chairman Robert Clark says Fitzsimmons' decision shows he's putting students first.