VENICE -- The first of three community input sessions on the search for the next State College of Florida president will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Venice campus, 8000 S. Tamiami Trail, building 800, Selby Room.

College trustees recently decided to hold the meetings to collect public opinion on the next leader of the college, and also formed a search committee that will also assist with the search.

Former president Lars Hafner left the school in October with a $363,000 severance package after months of conflict with trustees over financial decisions. Vice-president of business and administrative services Carol Probstfeld has since stepped in as interim president.

Trustees hope for the next president to start on July 1.

Other community input sessions will be held from 5.to 7 p.m. at SCF Lakewood Ranch, 7131 Professional Parkway E., Center for Innovation & Technology, Selby Community Room on Jan. 10 and at SCF Bradenton, 5840 26th St. West, building 29, nursing auditorium on Jan. 15.