Published on 4/2/2018.
Here's a brief summary of some of the key topics in the regular meeting of the Board on April 3, 2018.
Board Member Comments. Trustees Kelley and Biggin stated that they attended a mid-semester celebration with our Klamath-Trinity colleagues and students. President Mathews attended the Del Norte County Economic Fuel meeting.
Board Committee Reports. Trustee Emad informed the Board that the President's Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee (Trustees Emad, Biggin and Dr. Deister) met prior to the regular Board meeting.
Review Mission Statement. The Board conducted its annual review of the District’s Mission Statement. There was some discussion among the Trustees about adding some language to the Mission Statement related to fiscal stability. It was decided to have me work with Trustees Emad, Biggin and Kelley to discuss revising BP 1200 Mission.
Approve/Ratify Personnel Actions. The Trustees approved or ratified the employment of Jade Hess, Custodian I – Evenings; Brenda Syverson, Administrative Office Assistant II – DSPS, Range 111; and Chris Lancaster, Assistant Professor Communication Studies.
Reno Giovannetti, Instructional Technologist, will receive 15% out-of-class pay to perform Distance Education administrative duties while an employee is out on temporary leave.
The Trustees also ratified the resignations of Lindsey Gaddis from the Budget and Accounting Analyst position effective April 11 and Corrinne Volta from the Assistant Professor, Nursing position as of May 15, 2018. Also ratified was the retirement of Janet Humble as the Administrative Office Assistant in Health Occupations. Janet’s last day of employment will be June 30, 2018.
Approve/Ratify Contracts, Agreements and MOUs. I recommended that the Board approve several contracts, agreements, and MOUs. Two of the agreements are particularily noteworthy. The first is the agreement between CR and the County of Humboldt to assist the Department of Health and Human Services to increase participation in the Cal Fresh Program. The second is the contract addendum with Humboldt Independent Practice to provide mental health counseling services on the Eureka Campus starting immediately. The service will be available for 10 hours per week for 15 weeks at $70.00 per hour.
Monthly Financial Status Report. The Trustees approved the monthly financial report covering July 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 or 66.67% of the fiscal year. We are currently planning to transfer $90,000 to the CDC, $50,000 to Shively Farm, $300,000 to the OPEB fund, and $25,000 to our CalPERS/CalSTRS set aside fund this year.
Resolution to Recognize Classified Staff. The Trustees unanimously approved a resolution declaring the week of May 20-26 as Classified School Employee Week. All faculty, managers, and administrators are very aware that our classified employee colleagues are indispensable to the District's ability to provide an ideal learning environment for our students. In short, our classified colleagues make the District work, and deserve recognition for the vital role they play in our organization.
First Read of Board Policies and Administrative Procedures. The Trustees executed a first read of thirty one policies and procedures in the 1000s and 2000s. Several documents will be revised before moving forward to the Board as a second read. Policies and procedures "approved" in the second reading will be forwarded to the College Council for constituent review prior to coming back to the Board.
Second Read of Board Policies and Administrative Procedures. Administrative Procedure 2220 Audit and Finance Committees, BP 2435 and AP 2435 Evaluation of the President, and BP 2715 Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice were submitted to the Board as a second read. The Trustees approved moving the polices and procedures to the College Council for constituent review.
Approve Prequalification Bidder Package. We’re starting the bidding process for several large capital projects. In preparation for the bidders Request for Proposals (RFPs) the Trustees adopted a prequalification package for large capital projects. Prequalifying bidders is a common practice that will allow the District to disqualify potential bidders who have had legal action taken against them or who have had large insurance payouts.
Approve Owner's Project Requirements (OPR). The Board directed me to create an OPR. The Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) will address the District's building project requirements regarding quality, function, performance and purpose of the building’s most commonly commissioned systems. An OPR is required for new building projects, serves as the foundation of the commissioning process and informs the Architect’s Basis of Design (BOD). We will use the OPR to establish the fundamental project requirements before building design begins.
Informational Report: Student Success Data. Angelina Hill provided the Trustees with data related to CTE and Basic Skills enrollment. The data showed enrollments in CTE declining by 14 percent over the last five years, compared to a 7 percent decline in total enrollments across the District. Enrollments in remedial basic skills courses have sharply declined by 38 percent in the last five years. The decline in Basic Skills enrollment will continue as AB 705 moves toward full implementation by fall 2019. Trustee Dr. Mullery asked Angelina if we have data relative to the potential impact of AB 705 on student success.
Classified Report. Tory Eagles thanked the Board for visiting Del Norte and for approving the Classified School Employee Week resolution.
Organizational Report: President Report. In my written report to the Board, I went through the new community college funding model and the Legislative Analyst Office’s review of the model. I stated that, as a matter of good and prudent fiscal planning, Dr. Albert Harrison and Julia Morrison, facilitated a discussion with the Trustees at a Special Board meeting on March 20 related to the 2018-19 preliminary budget, the three-year budget forecast (2018-2021), and the impact of the new funding model on our revenue.
Although the budget scenarios presented to the Board on March 20 were preliminary and much uncertainty remains in the system to know how much funding the District will receive in future years, I implemented several immediate expense actions that included freezing of all general fund, categorical, and grant funded positions hiring except for those that are identified as mission critical; examining all general and categorically funded operational expenses to make certain they are mission critical and aligned with appropriate revenue; reducing temporary part-time expenditures; and asking managers and supervisors to continually review their operations to see how to deliver our services to students in the most cost-effective way possible.
We will hold open forums on April 23 in Del Norte and Eureka to discuss the preliminary 2018-19 budget, the three year budget forecast, and a summary of Dr. Harrison’s recommendations on how we can improve our budgeting operation. The open forum on Del Norte Campus will be held at 11:30 am in Room 34. The Eureka Campus open forum will be at 4pm in HU 129.
Organizational Report: Vice President of Instruction Report. Angelina discussed the Guided Pathways and AB 705 initiatives. She noted that the college has submitted its Guided Pathways plan and are awaiting funding from the Chancellor’s Office. She also informed the Trustees that while CR has a lot of work to do on AB 705, the work of the English and Mathematics faculty to develop accelerated courses, and revise Multiple Measures puts CR ahead of many community colleges.
Organizational Report: Vice President of Student Development. Joe reported on the March 9 and 23 “Redwood Days”, the 15th annual Northcoast Youth Summit on March 17, and the phenomenal work being conducted in our Multicultural and Diversity Center.
Future Agenda Items, Reports, Requests for Information. The Trustees asked that I provide an update on the demolition of the old Life Science, Physical Science and Library buildings. They also asked that a discussion on their position relative to providing homeless shelters on District property be agendized at a future Board meeting.