Amarillo College Board of Regents suspend John Betancourt following DWI arrest

The Amarillo College Board of Regents voted Wednesday evening to temporarily suspend John Betancourt from board committees and outside boards where he serves as a representative of the college, effective immediately. The decision follows Betancourt’s Jan. 2 arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

The vote took place during a special meeting of the board. While Betancourt will remain a member of the board and continue attending meetings, he will no longer participate in additional assignments, travel, or represent Amarillo College at state or national events during the suspension.

“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 Barret, chairman of the Amarillo College Board of Regents.

Betancourt was elected to a six-year term on the Amarillo College board in May 2021, according to the college. He is also a Democratic candidate for Texas Senate District 31.

During the meeting, Mark White, Amarillo College executive vice president and general counsel, outlined the board’s authority in the matter, stating that removal of an elected regent would require court action.

“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 said.

Following discussion, Regent Michelle Fortunado made the motion to suspend Betancourt from board committees and outside boards where he represents Amarillo College. The motion also included suspending any upcoming travel related to Amarillo College events.

The eight remaining regents unanimously approved the motion. Betancourt was not present at the meeting and did not participate in the vote.

Under the terms of the motion, Betancourt’s suspension will remain in place until the resolution of the current criminal charges. The board stated it will reconvene after a verdict is reached to determine any further action.

In addressing the decision, Barrett acknowledged both Betancourt’s service and the expectations placed on elected officials.

“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,” Barrett said.

Betancourt previously pleaded guilty to a DWI charge in 2017 following a 2015 arrest. At that time, he was serving on the Amarillo Independent School District Board of Trustees.

The current charges against Betancourt remain pending.