Summary of the February 3, 2026 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees

Published on Feb 3 2026

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that College of the Redwoods is located on the unceded territory of the Wiyot, Hupa, Karuk, Mattole, Tolowa, Wailaki, and Yurok people where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long-lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. 

Board Business

Vice President of the Board Dorn, chair of the President Search Committee, updated the Board on the progress of the search for next president/superintendent. I want to share the draft below timeline that the Board discussed. The final timeline will be uploaded to the president search webpage soon. I highlighted the proposed dates and actions in bold that Vice President Dorn asked the Board to keep in mind. Additionally, Trustee Dr. Mullery, co-chair of the search committee, clearly stated that the committee will be as transparent as possible.

February 17, 2026

• “Early alert” communication sent to CCC listservs announcing the search for a president/superintendent to begin in early 2026

February 12-20, 2026

• Solicit input from employees, students, and community for the position profile (online survey)

February 17-18, 2026

• In person town halls/open forums to solicit input from employees, students, and community for the position profile (two open forums on the Eureka Campus and one on the Del Norte Campus)

February 28, 2026

• BOT Workshop to review input from survey and town halls regarding position profile, establish position profile, review Search Timeline, and establish date for Governing Board to finalize the questions for final interviews, scoring/evaluation method for interviews (if desired), and venue for final interviews.

March 2, 2026

• CCSS Consultant works with designated personnel to develop search web page.
• CHRO and CCSS consultant develop plans to recruit for and advertise for the position including, but not limited to, the following based on budget. 

March 9 – April 17, 2026 (6 weeks)   

• Recruit applicants, solicit nominations, and advertise the position based on recruiting/advertising plan.

March 9, 2026

• Applicant Review Committee meets to develop criteria and instrument for evaluating applicants and establish schedule for completing applicant evaluations.

April 17, 2026 

• Application deadline

April 22, 2026 

• CHRO or designee determines if applicants meet minimum qualifications.

April 21-30, 2026       

• Search Chair and Co-chair and Applicant Review Committee evaluate applicants.

May 4, 2026

• Search Chair and Co-Chair and Applicant Review Committee meet to review applicant evaluations and submit an unranked list of applicants to the Interview Committee

May 6, 2026

• Search Chair and Co-chair and Interview Committee meet to determine if there is a sufficient pool of qualified applicants.

May 6-8, 2026 

• Search Chair and Co-chair and Interview Committee evaluate list of applicants submitted by Applicant Review Committee

May 12, 2026

• Search Chair and Co-chair and Interview Committee meet to select applicants for initial interviews, finalize interview questions (if needed), finalize presentation topic, etc. (if needed), and finalize logistics of interviews.

May 13-15, 2026

• HR and/or consultant schedules applicants for first-level interviews

June 15-17, 2026

• Search Chair and Co-chair and Interview Committee interview applicants and recommend finalists for interviews with BOT.

July 7, 2026

• BOT will review list of recommended finalists and confirm candidates to be interviewed, establish venue for final interviews, determine if other constituent groups will be invited to present an assessment of finalists to the BOT, and determine if other groups (besides constituent groups identified in the policy) will meet with the finalists

July 8 - 22, 2026

• Reference/background reports for finalists completed by CCSS.

July 13, 2026

• Press release announcing finalists and dates/times for forums and post information about finalists on college web page. 

August 4, 2026

• BOT finalize questions for final interviews, finalize scoring/evaluation method for interviews (if desired), determine length of interviews, and determine if a presentation is desired as part of the final interviews.

August 21-28, 2026

• Solicit questions for candidate forums.

September 9-11, 2026

• BOT interviews, candidate forums, and meetings for finalists, consultant reviews reference and background reports with the BOT, representatives of constituent groups meet with the BOT to provide an assessment of the finalists’ strengths and weaknesses, BOT selects candidate for president/superintendent and offers position, and BOT enters into negotiations for employment agreement.

September 14-18, 2026

• Optional Press release about selection of president/superintendent (pending approval of employment agreement)

October 6, 2026          

• BOT considers approval of employment agreement with president/superintendent. 

December 2026 (specific date to be determined) 

• Superintendent/president begins employment to overlap with Dr. Flamer for effective succession and transition.

President of the Board Mathews directed to me reach out the leadership of ASCR, the Academic Senate, CSEA, and the Management Council for appointments to the President’s Search Interview Committee. According to Board Policy 2431, the Interview Committee is comprised of the Search Chair and Co-Chair, the Student Trustee, if available, or a student appointed by the Board in consultation with ASCR, one faculty representative appointed by the Academic Senate President in consultation with CRFO, one administrator appointed by the Board in consultation with the President/Superintendent, one classified employee appointed by the Board in consultation with CSEA, one manager appointed by the Board in consultation with the Management Council, and the CHRO/EEO or designee (as a non-voting member). President Mathews also directed me to identify an administrator for the committee. 

Consent Calendar Action Items

The employee change of status for Clifford LaMastus was ratified. Clifford will move from his Manager, K-16 Partnerships and Outreach to Manager of Outreach and Enrollment Services. This personnel move was part of the reorganization of the Admissions and Financial Aid department to prepare for Tiffany Schmitcle’s retirement in fall 2026. Tiffany’s position will not be replaced thus reducing the number of non-represented positions in the District. Also, by Board action at this meeting, we welcome Kristi Landry to the college community as a Student Services Specialist IV. 

Action/Discussion Items

The Board approved the Quarterly Financial Status Report that we are required to submit to the Chancellor’s Office. The CCCCO uses quarterly reports to monitor the financial stability of California Community Colleges. The format for the report looks at the trends in revenues, expenditures, fund balances, and cash balances over a four-year period. I want to remind everyone that CR will face three fiscal challenges next year. The first is that we must continue to increase our FTES to meet revenue targets. This is critical to ensure revenues do not exceed operational expenses. The second challenge is our reliance on State funding. With a fluctuating economy, we may have to deal with state apportionment deficits and deferrals due to the lack of financial resources on the part of the state. Also, the State has been unable to fully fund enrollment for those districts, like CR, who are experiencing growth. The third challenge is the potential impact of actions taken at the Federal level. We simply do not know how the Trump Administration’s policy changes will affect California’s budget.

By Board action, Tom Cossey and Tiffany Schmitcke will be awarded emeritus status upon their retirement. Tom Cossey will retire from the District on July 31, 2026 after having served the College since 1993. During that time Tom held several positions in the Information Technology (IT) department including Senior Computer Operator, Systems Operator II, Applications Analyst, and Senior Applications Analyst. Tom made the transition from classified staff to management after taking the job of Information Technology/Systems Project Manager in 2024. Tiffany Schmitcke will retire from the District on October 25, 2026 after nearly twenty‑five years of service to College of the Redwoods. She began as an Office Assistant in the Foundation and advanced to Assistant Manager of the Foundation and went on to serve as Manager of EOPS, where I first met her. I collaborated closely with her as the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services when she served as the District’s Scheduling Manager.

I am incredibly pleased to share that the Board approved the recommendation to grant tenure to Professor Dr. Cintra Agee, Professor Karyn-Lynn Fisette, Professor Susan Gehr, Professor Kendra Guimares, Professor Trevor Hartman, and Professor Kyle Shamp. These six faculty members were awarded tenure because they have distinguished themselves as teachers and colleagues and show evidence that they will continue contributing at an exceedingly high level to teaching and service at the College of the Redwoods. I described their backgrounds in CR May 5, 2022 Times Standard article: College Matters | CR welcomes new staff to college – Times-Standard

Informational Reports

In the Recognition Report, I acknowledged Jennifer Bailey for her outstanding work in writing the District’s general and Athletics newsletters. I have known Jennifer for many years and have found her to be an invaluable asset to the College. I continue to receive appreciation from the community for the newsletters. I congratulated Sergeant Corrie Watson on her section by the Soroptimist International of Eureka on receiving the Courage Award. This award is given to local women veterans and first responders to honor their commitment to our community. She will be given the award on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. I acknowledged Michelle August for performing the yearend tasks of balancing, production, and IRS submission of the District’s W2’s in an exemplary manner. Thank you, Michelle—we all depend on you. I also shared an email from a former student who expressed appreciation for her time at CR. It is my honor to share the email with you below.

Dear President Flamer,

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for College of the Redwoods and the exceptional faculty, staff, and support services that made my academic journey not only possible but truly transformative.

I returned to college after a 15-year hiatus, a decision that brought a mix of excitement, fear, and uncertainty. From the very beginning—through the application process, financial aid navigation, tutoring services, and guidance from counselors—I was met with encouragement, professionalism, and genuine care. At every stage, College of the Redwoods provided the support I needed to succeed.

The professors at College of the Redwoods played a defining role in my experience. They did far more than teach course material; they uplifted me, challenged me, and helped me rebuild my confidence as a student. I hold this institution and its educators in the highest regard.

I would like to personally acknowledge several faculty members who significantly impacted my academic trajectory through their dedication and mentorship: Carolyn Perkins, Shannon Mondor, Stephen Quiggle, Jackie Patmore, Anna Savage, and Shannon Sullivan. These instructors taught me in person, and each offered something unique—whether it was academic rigor, encouragement, or practical guidance on succeeding. Their commitment to students was evident in every class.

I would also like to recognize Dr. Mina Cohen, who taught my online art course. Her expertise, creativity, and enthusiasm made the virtual classroom engaging and inspiring. In addition, every instructor I encountered demonstrated kindness, patience, and a genuine investment in student success.

The EOPS program was another cornerstone of my experience at College of the Redwoods. The guidance and support I received throughout my time there—and especially during the transfer process—were invaluable. Because of EOPS and the broader support network at the college, I felt prepared, capable, and confident as I moved forward.

Thanks to the environment fostered at College of the Redwoods, I am now prepared to continue my education at Cal Poly Humboldt. The sense of safety, respect, and encouragement I experienced exceeded my expectations and left a lasting impression on me as both a student and a person.

Thank you for leading an institution that truly values its students and invests in their success. College of the Redwoods has had a profound impact on my life, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities and support it provided.

Organizational and Administrative Reports

In her written report, Academic Senate President Johnson spoke to several important items, including the following:

• We are intentionally engaging with our faculty colleagues and non-faculty constituents to consider new ways to connect and work together with the goal of becoming even better equipped to support the students we serve. In the coming weeks we will be announcing “Let’s Talk,” a series of campus workshops designed to bring us together to promote open dialogue, build trust and increase feelings of belonging. The series will be facilitated by faculty, students, and staff and will emphasize dialogue across differences, and respect for each other as humans who care about lifelong learning and who value opportunities for personal, intellectual, and social growth.
• We are working together to reimagine assessment at College of the Redwoods. This work calls us to carefully consider our “why” and examine what it is to meaningfully evaluate and improve our educational and student services programs. How can we know that we are meeting the needs of our students and our community? What does it take for the process of answering this question to be transformative and deeply meaningful? 
•  We continue to put a “spotlight” on the Curriculum Stoplight which will be discussed again at our February 6th Academic Senate meeting.
• Faculty came together during Flex week to discuss the “reboot” of All Faculty Meetings. In the Flex session itself and beyond we have been asking participants to talk about their sense of belonging, opportunities for “water cooler” conversations, feelings about the prolific use of email and the need to come together both for the purpose of getting work done but also to promote wellness and connection. 

CRFO President Erik Kramer, who stepped in for Michelle Haggerty while she is on sabbatical, shared that the District and CRFO continue to work collegially in our SARTCO/Problem-Solving Committee and CRFO is sending faculty to the FACCC Advocacy and Policy Conference in February. In her CSEA report, President Rachel Warze recognized Christina Morse, Andre LaRocque, and Gustavo Vasquez for their leadership in coordinating a successful Campus Flex Professional Development Days in January. She also recognized the classified staff who presented professional development sessions: Sky Kirsch, Giselle Cabrero, Tim Wolcott, Gustavo Vasquez, Jonny Maiullo, Lauren Larsen, Gary T. Ronne, Evan Hatfield, and Cameron Papp. Management Council President Leigh Dooley recognized the seventeen managers who are participating in the Pivot in 60 professional development program. 

In my administrative report, I shared that the 2025-26 P1 Apportionment Report we submitted to the Chancellor’s Office last month projected 4,241 FTES in 2025–26. This reflects a 6.9% increase over the District’s original target of 3,947 FTES and 12.6% more than the District’s  2019–20 FTES level of 3,767. The District’s enrollment growth is a result of the outstanding efforts of all CR staff and faculty, careful and deliberate class scheduling, and proactive investment in adult, career, and healthcare education and dual enrollment. I noted in my verbal comments that our men’s and women’s basketball teams are in the playoff hunt this year.

In Julia Morrison’s written report, she discussed Governor Newsom’s 2026-27 January Budget Proposal. The Proposal is based on an estimated $2.9 billion, in contrast to a $13 billion expected deficit as per the 2025 Budget Act. Some key takeaways from the Proposal are:   

• 2.41% COLA for Community College apportionments ($240.6 million) 
• 2.41% COLA for certain categorical programs ($30.6 million) 
• $87.2 million to fund a systemwide enrollment growth rate of 1.5% over two years ($55.3 million for growth of 1% in 2025-26 and $31.9 million for 0.5% growth in 2026-27) 
• $120.7 million in one-time funding to address deferred maintenance. It is unclear at this time if this funding will be allocated to Scheduled Maintenance, Instructional Equipment and Library Materials (otherwise known as Physical Plant and Instructional Support), or specifically to deferred maintenance only 
• $100 million to fund an additional year of the Student Support Block Grant 
• $36 million to fully scale the Systemwide Common Data Platform  
• $35 million to scale and institutionalize the Credit for Prior Learning Initiative 

Julia also shared that while the Governor’s Proposal is based on an estimated $2.9 billion deficit, the LAO is anticipating a deficit closer to $18 billion. With the uncertainty of the State’s ability to fund the Student-Centered Funding Formula (SCFF), enrollment growth, etc., community colleges face significant challenges when it comes to budget and cash-flow planning. 

Crystal Morse noted that the three days of Flex activities offered an opportunity for faculty and staff to reconnect after winter break, share insights, and engage in professional growth. She also noted that Bob Brown, Colin Trujillo, Bernadette Johnson, and Katy Ferrier represented the College at the intensive in-person training hosted by the CCCCO, "From Awareness to Action: Trauma-Informed Approaches for Student Success" held in Sacramento. In her verbal comments Crystal added her appreciation to the Board for approving my recommendation to grant tenure to the six outstanding faculty members noted in agenda item 5.4. She also acknowledged Tiffany Schmitcke and Tom Cossey for gaining emeritus status upon their retirement from the District.

Marty Coelho’s report noted that the final total for the Foundation’s Holiday Campaign was $42,000, the CR Foundation’s grant request for $125,000 for the 2026-27 Finish Line Scholars Program was approved by the CCC Foundation, and the CR Foundation received a $44,000 donation from a private party for the development of CR’s five new healthcare programs. An additional $100,000 will be donated over the next two years.