MADERA, Calif. — Madera College faculty walked off the job and called out sick from work last week to protest the return of an administrator who was placed on leave after he allegedly dressed up as a former faculty leader for a Halloween costume contest last fall.
Cory Burkarth, the director of marketing and communications, is back on campus this semester after he was placed on a leave of absence Nov. 5, according to a temporary assignment report from the community college district. He returned to work in late July.
Last year, photos circulated online show Burkarth dressed in a costume that closely resembled the appearance of Todd Kandarian, a math instructor and former president of the Academic Senate at the college. Burkarth entered the campus Halloween costume contest during a party with staff and administrators. Other photos depict administrators as judges of the contest, and another photo suggests Burkarth won a gift basket as he stands next to Merced College President Ángel Reyna…