The Amarillo College Board of Regents voted Wednesday evening to temporarily suspend Board Member John Betancourt from certain duties following his recent arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI). The decision, made during a special board meeting, affects Betancourt’s participation in board committees and his representation of the college on outside boards.
Betancourt, who was elected to a six-year term on the Amarillo College Board of Regents in May 2021, was arrested on January 2 for suspicion of DWI. He is also a candidate for the Democratic State Senate in District 31. The suspension comes amid an ongoing investigation by the Amarillo Police Department.
Board officials emphasized that while they have the authority to suspend a board member from certain duties, they cannot remove a sitting member without a court process. “The board does not have the authority to remove a sitting board member. We do have the authority to do what we did tonight however and that is temporary suspension. He will be a voting board member, he will attend all meetings, just like he always has. He just won’t have any of those other extra assignments. He won’t be spending tax payer dollars, going to trainings or representing us at the state or the national level,” said Jay Barrett, Chairman of the Board of Regents at Amarillo College.
During the meeting, Mark White, AC executive vice president and general counsel, clarified the board’s options. “This board cannot remove him without going through a district court action. So at this point, the board can do anything you want really, short of removal,” White explained.
After discussion, Regent Michele Fortunato motioned to suspend Betancourt immediately from all board committees and outside boards where he represents Amarillo College. The motion also included suspending any upcoming travel Betancourt had planned for AC-related events. The eight other regents unanimously approved the motion. Betancourt was not present for the vote and did not participate.
According to the approved motion, the suspension will remain in effect until the resolution of the current criminal charges against Betancourt. Following the conclusion of legal proceedings, the board will reconvene to determine any further necessary actions.
The decision reflects the board’s attempt to balance the responsibilities of elected office with public expectations for accountability. “He’s a friend, he’s a colleague, he’s done his work for us. At the same time, we recognize the kind of situation this puts us in, because there is a greater expectation of an elected official who is beholden to constituents, to our college, to our students, as you mentioned, and we can’t do nothing,” said Jay Barrett, AC board of regents vice chair.
This is not Betancourt’s first DWI-related incident. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to a DWI charge stemming from a 2015 arrest while serving on the Amarillo Independent School District Board of Trustees.
The temporary suspension represents a cautious approach by the Amarillo College Board of Regents as they await the outcome of the criminal investigation. In the meantime, Betancourt will continue to participate in general board meetings and maintain his voting rights but will be restricted from duties involving travel, committee work, or representation of the college at external events.
