Summary of the April 7, 2026 Board of Trustees Meeting
Published on Apr 7 2026Land 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.
Consent Calendar Action Items
By Board action at this meeting, we welcome Robin Shaffer to our college community as a new Early Childhood Education Assistant effective April 8, 2026. We also welcome two associate faculty: Garrett Snedaker (Student Accessibility Support Services) and Sean Thomas (English). The Trustees ratified my decision to accept the resignations of Nayeli Bravo (Early Childhood Assistant) and Ger Xiong (Instructional Support Specialist III-Lab Technician). Also ratified was my acceptance of the retirement of Dr. George Potamianos (Professor of History) effective December 2028.
The Board of Trustees approved several new and revised curricula at this meeting. I want to point out several new curriculum that were approved: WT-42 (Welding Technology Work Experience Education), FNR-5L (Forest Ecology Lab), Guid-236 (Adaptive Music Appreciate for Students with Disabilities), Guid-247 (Leadership Development), HO-241 (Beginning Pharmacology Concept), HO-242 Intermediate Pharmacology Concepts), SURG-101 (Introduction to Surgical Technology), SURG-101L (Introduction to Surgical Skills Lab, SURG-103 (Advanced Surgical Technology), SURG 102L (Advanced Surgical Skills Lab), SURG-103 (Surgical Specialties), SURG-103L (Surgical Specialties Lab), SURG-104 (Clinical Practice for Surgical Technology), SURG-200 (Certified Surgical Technologist Exam Preparation), RESP-1 (Introduction to Respiratory Care), RESP-11 (Respiratory Care Fundaments I), RESP-12 (Respiratory Care Fundaments II), RESP-13 (Respiratory Care Fundaments III), RESP 14 (Respiratory Care Fundaments IV with Lab), RESP-21 (Respiratory Care Lab I), RESP-22 (Respiratory Care Lab II), RESP-23 (Principals of Mechanical Ventilation with Lab), RESP-24 (Advanced Reparatory Care Lab), RESP-30 (Preparation for Respiratory Care Clinical), RESP 31 (Respiratory Care Clinical I), RESP-32 (Respiratory Care Clinical II), RESP-33 (Respiratory Care Clinical III), RESP-34 (Respiratory Care Clinical IV), RESP 41 (Respiratory Care Pharmacology), RESP-43 (Neonatal and Pediatric Concepts for Respiratory Care), RESP-53 (Advanced Respiratory Care Topics I), RESP-54 (Advanced Respiratory Care Topics II), and RESP-200 (NBRC Exam Preparation). New Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology and Associate of Science Degree in Respiratory Care was approved. Please join me in thanking the Curriculum Committee for the countless hours they have put into reviewing and approving curriculum and Jessica Howard for her leadership and support in creating the new Surgical Technology and Respiratory Care degrees and corresponding courses.
Action/Discussion Items
The Board approved our monthly financial status report that covered the period of July 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026. The report noted that we made one budget adjustment. The budget for Capital Outlay expenses has increased to $350,000 to account for actual activity to date. We informed the Board that our overall revenues and expenditures were higher than at this point in time last year. We also shared that we would continue to allocate money to six areas: $130,000 to the Child Development Center, $82,266 to Shively Farm, $650,000 to the OPEB fund, $500,000 for the Debt Service Fund, $235,849 to Adult and Community Education, and $150,000 to the Other Special Revenue Fund. The monthly financial status report shows a projected 2025-26 Unrestricted General Fund ending fund balance of $6,666,594, or 13.2% of Unrestricted General Fund expenditures.
The Board approved my recommendation to award tenure to four faculty and enter into contracts with twenty-three faculty currently in the tenure process. You may remember that the Trustees approved my recommendation to grant tenure to Dr. Cintra Agee, Karyn-Lynn Fisette, Susan Gehr, Kendra Guimares, Trevor Hartman, and Kyle Shamp at the February 3, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting. Recently, I directed Human Resources to review qualifying faculty service for probationary faculty members under Education Code §87470 to determine appropriate placement in the tenure-track process where applicable. Based on that review, and in accordance with the Education Code, I recommended that the Board award tenure to Kelly Carbone, Madeleine Lopez, Carolyn Perkins, and Jason White. Also at this meeting, the following probationary employees were awarded the second year of a two-year contract for the 2026 academic year: Noah Decker, Dr. Patricia Harris, Lupe Galvan, Dr. Laurrie McKendry, Dr. Ross Odell, Dr. Heather Payne, Dr. Stacey Ann Salinas, and Natalie Yialelis McNitt. Paula Amis, Elyse Elizondo, and Sean Robertson were awarded a third-year contract for the 2026 academic year. A second-year contract for the 2026 academic year was awarded to Geraldine Fitzgerald, Dr. Matthew Hough, Peter Korin, Tiffany Martell, Jaclyn Patmore, Julie Przepiora, Alissa Sarvinski, and Dr. Angeles Torres Mendez. Additionally, the following new faculty are entering into a probationary tenure-track contract for the 2026 academic year: Amanda Cuttler, Kristen Luke, Andrew Manning, and Kelly Scott.
Informational Reports
In the Recognition Report, I shared that Letters of Commendation were written for Ashley Mitchell, Irene Gonzalez, Mayra Sanchez, Pyuwa Bommelyn, Matt Gilliland, Marlia Luzier, Anna Duffy, Andre GasCoigne, and Lauren Larsen in recognition for their prompt and professional response to the March 16, 2026 active shooter threat incident. The letters have been included in their personnel files. I acknowledged the Child Development Center staff for planning and implementing the annual Family Literacy night. I recognized Kristin Lima, Tanya Anderson, Lauryn Cortez, Tommy Burley, Cody Love, and Walker True for planning and executing a successful Chamber of Commerce Mixer on the Del Norte Campus. I also recognized staff member Gary Ronne and the Humboldt Taiko (HAPI) drummers for their participation in Eureka High School’s 4th Annual Multicultural Night. Gary Ronne and his drummers are famous in Humboldt. Often, you will find Gary and the Humboldt Taiko drummers performing at major community events.
Dr. Kristin Lima and Ms. Lauryn Cortez did a wonderful job updating the Trustees on the accomplishments of the Del Norte Campus in engaging with the community. The future of the Del Norte Campus is very bright!
CSEA presented their proposal to reopen the contract to negotiate fair and equitable wage increases above the 50% pass through of the Governor’s positive cost of living adjustment budget proposal for 2026-2027. They also want to discuss protective equipment for Campus Safety Officers and Police Officers.
Organizational and Administrative Reports
Academic Senate President Bernadette Johnson announced that Wendy Riggs was selected as President Elect of the Senate and Jennifer Burlison as the Vice President Elect of the Senate starting in the next academic year. Under the new Academic Senate Bylaws, Wendy and Jennifer will serve two-year terms. Interim CRFO President Erik Kramer shared that CRFO had seen a lot of questions arise regarding their processes and the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Erik commended the work of faculty on the curriculum committee in the effort to get our curriculum documents up to date. CRFO continues to work with District representatives on a variety of issues, and he believes the collegial discussions between CRFO and the District are important to maintain fairness among faculty employees as well as to get work done that is crucial to the college. CSEA President Rachel Warze wrote that CR’s CSEA chapter formed a Political Action Committee comprised of Joshua Stanley, Amy Chase, Lorraine Casazza and Kristi Landry. Rachel also shared that Lauryn Cortez, who co-presented at today’s meeting is a VP of CSEA. Management Council President Leigh Dooley welcomed Stephanie Freyermuth, Manager of Student Wellness, Advocacy, & Support, to the Management Council.
In my administrative report, I shared the Faculty Prioritization Committee reviewed, scored, discussed, and ranked fifteen faculty position requests submitted for the 2026-27 cycle: General Counselors (2), EOPS Counselor, Construction Technology/Electrician Training, Native American Studies/CHRILI, Psych Tech, Articulation Officer, Social Work-Addiction Studies/Del Norte & Pelican Bay, Nursing, Respiratory Care Program Director& Instructor, EMT/Paramedic, Surgical Tech, Respiratory Care Clinical Coordinator & Instructor, Social Work-Addiction Studies/Eureka, and Biology. I approved moving forward with searching for seven tenure track faculty positions. Underlying my decision was the desire to provide more well-trained workers for our local hospitals and clinics, provide more counselors to meet our student’s mental health needs, and strengthen the College’s connection with our Indigenous communities. On April 2, I informed the District that I authorized the search for two Nursing positions (Eureka), a Native American Studies/CRILI position (Eureka), a General Counselor position (Eureka), an EOPS Counselor position (Eureka), a Respiratory Care/Program Director position (Eureka), and a Social Work/Addiction Studies (Eureka). Also on April 2, I directed Human Resources to begin the search for the two Nurses, the General Counselor, the EOPS Counselor, and the Respiratory Care/Clinical Coordinator/Instructor position within the next few weeks to make sure that we have the faculty hired for a fall 2026 start. The search for the Social Work/Addiction Studies and Native American Studies/CRILI positions will start over the summer and conclude in time to start spring semester 2027. For those of you who do not know, CRILI refers to CR’s Indigenous Language Institute. In a slight change in the search timeline, after today's Board meeting, I informed Vice President Dr. Crystal Morse and Interim Director of Human Resources Jose Serranno that I revised the search timeline to reflect a fall 2026 start of the NAS/CRILI position.
Following the February 2026 serious incident of violence in a PBSP classroom (B-Yard), I asked Dr. Crystal Morse, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services to conduct a comprehensive executive review of the Pelican Bay Scholars Program. While this violent incident was a rare occurrence in our long history of providing exceptional educational opportunities to the incarcerated student population, I felt it important that we take time to review our program's safety infrastructure, operational practices, faculty, and staff support systems, and long-term sustainability. I noted in my report that I received the Scholars Program at Pelican Bay State Prison executive summary from Dr. Morse. I expanded on my written report by stating that Dr. Morse and I met with the Del Norte Campus Pelican Bay faculty and staff yesterday (Monday) to talk about the recommendations contained in the Executive Review of the Pelican Bay Scholars Program. Additionally, I intend to consult with my executive cabinet and the Academic Senate leadership to determine which of the recommendations/actions contained in the Executive Review will be adopted and identify additional actions that should be operationalized to make sure that we continue to move toward being a leader in safe, high-quality correctional education. I remain committed to communicating my response to the recommendations with the District on or about April 17, 2026. I commented that the White House released the President’s budget for the next fiscal year last Friday. In addition to requesting $1.5 trillion for defense spending, his budget continues the Department of Education’s road to elimination. The budget preserves the Pell Grant program and proposes to cut Federal Work-Study from $1.23 billion to $123 million and eliminate TRiO. I also acknowledged the three rodeo student athletes who will compete in the Poly Royal Rodeo Finals competition April 9-11, 2026. Cora Killoran will compete in Barrel Racing, Mackenzie Frick in Barrel Racing and Breakaway Roping, and Vivian Arntz in Barrel Racing.
In Julia Morrison’s written report, she noted we have been working with ForeFront Power (FFP) for over 6 years to develop a Solar and Battery Storage project on the Eureka Campus. Although the footprint constraints and Division of the State Architect requirements, multiple calculations of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) rate as electricity rates, cost of materials, and legislation changes, as well as other factors that have resulted in continual assessment of the project’s financial feasibility for both CR and FFP over the years, the recent financial feasibility assessment indicates that the project is still financially feasible.
In her administrative report Dr. Crystal Morse noted that the College hosted the Third Annual American Indian College Motivation Day on March 27. This event, led by CR’s Native American Student Support Services Program was held in partnership with the Northern California Indian Development Council and served as a critical bridge for regional Native youth to explore higher education and career pathways. This event reinforced our commitment to regional equity and workforce development. Crystal thanked student moderators, panelists, and artists: Gavyn Albers, Phyre Sanchez, Holly Lara, Olivia Wheeler, Santino Thomas, Leilianna Brown, Ash Osceola, and Auhna Reyes-Roberts. She also thanked CR faculty and staff including Valerie Elder, Reed Elmore, Alex Wright, Samantha Broadstock, Susan Gehr, Pakuni Martin, and Pyuwa Bommelyn.
In Marty Coelho’s written report, he mentioned that he presented to the Soroptimist International Club of Humboldt Bay, the Foundation secured targeted contributions in support of the Art Department and the Floyd Bettiga Art Gallery, the Foundation’s 2026–27 Finish Line Scholarship $125,000 grant application was approved by the California Community Colleges Foundation, and six proposals (two economic development initiatives, three faculty-led projects, and one staff-led proposals) were submitted for the spring Presidential Innovation Grant funding cycle and are currently under review.