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Published on 11/10/2020.

The Board’s Audit Committee met prior to the regular meeting of the Board. Trustee Mathews, Chair of the Audit Committee, publically thanked Trustee Emad for his lending his considerable financial expertise and long service to the Audit Committee.

The committee approved Resolution 772 that authorizes us to use a Tax and Revenue Anticipation Note (TRAN) to borrow funds to cover the cash flow shortfall we will experience because of timing differences between our anticipated expenditures and estimated receipt of revenues, including deferred State funding allocations. By participating in the Program, the District’s TRAN will be marketed together with TRANs of other similarly-rated community college districts.

The resolution will go before the full Board of the Trustees for approval at their December 17 meeting.

Regular Meeting of the Board

Comments/Board Business

General Public Comments: Stuart Altschuler made a public comment related to the appointment of Tracy Coppini to serve as a trustee for Area 1.

Shannon Walkley, Jennifer Knight and Adrian Dobson commented on agenda item 3.4.

Member Comments: Trustee Kelley asked for the Board’s support to renew his participation on an ACCT committee.

Trustee Biggin congratulated the staff and faculty for using social media to make sure the community are engaged in various events.

Trustee Mathews mentioned that she attended meetings between our Foundation and some Del Norte County fundraising entities. She also mentioned that she attended the three of the four Building Bridges professional development sessions looking at implicit bias.

President of the Board Mullery thanked the voters for giving her another term on the Board. She also recognized Trustee Biggin for her participation on the CCCT Executive Board.

Board Committee Reports: Trustee Mathews reported on the meeting of the Audit Committee that met prior to the regular meeting of the Board.

Board Meeting Dates, Times, Location and Calendar for 2021: The Trustees approved the dates and locations for their Board meetings next calendar year and the agenda calendar. They will continue to hold their meetings via zoom until it is safe to meet face-to-face.

Establish Annual Board Meeting Calendar:  The Trustees approved the annual Board Meeting Calendar.  We use the calendar to develop the board meeting agendas.

Presentation of the Slate of Board Officers for 2021-22: The Ad Hoc committee presented its recommendations for the board officer positions for next year. They recommended Trustee Danny Kelley as President of the Board, Trustee Carol Mathews as Vice President of the Board, and Trustee Richard Dorn as Clerk of the Board. The Trustees will vote on this slate of officers at their December 17 meeting.

Resolution 770 In Support for an Inclusive Environment for All and Against Racism: Our Board of Trustees has used its position as a leader of our District to support the Chancellor’s Office June 5 Call to Action letter that asks that we respond to systemic racism by urgently working to: 1) conduct a system-wide review of law enforcement officers and first responder training, 2) host open dialogue and review campus climate, 3) audit classroom climate and create inclusive classrooms and anti-racism curriculum, 4) review and update Equity Plans, 5) shorten the time frame for full implementation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Integration Plan, and 6) system wide engagement in the Vision Resource Center “Community Colleges for Change.”

I am proud that our Trustees unanimously approved a resolution in support of inclusion, equity and diversity. This is a very important message to send at this time of social discontent. I attached the resolution to this summary.

Resolution 773 Honoring Bruce Emad: By a unanimous vote, the Board approved a resolution recognizing Trustee Bruce Emad’s long, dedicated, and distinguished service to the District. I also want to thank Bruce for his leadership, support, and mentorship over the years. I included Resolution 773 the Trustees approved in this summary article. The final resolution will be given to Trustee Emad once all of the Trustees have signed the document.

Review Board Goals: The Trustees reviewed their 2019-20 goals. Below are the goals they reviewed.

1. Maintain focus on the newly implemented Student Centered Funding Formula by:
   1. Ensuring that the District's budget addresses the categories of funding in the new state funding formula.
   2. Receiving regular reports regarding the District's strategies and progress in dealing with the new funding formula.
   3. Providing advocacy for legislative efforts to correct problems in and improve the new funding formula.
2. Provide support to ensure continuing progress in equity in student outcomes with special emphasis on:
   1. Continuing support for programs that address student basic needs (e.g. Food Pantry, residence hall scholarships).
   2. Increasing diversity in staffing all open positions through appropriate processes.
   3. Review mission, vision and board policies in the 1000's and 2000's through a lens that reflects equity and inclusion.
3. Ensure fiscal responsibility with special emphasis on:
   1. Maintaining a balanced General Fund with reserves that are in compliance with board policy.
   2. Monitoring and supporting adequate funding of future pension liabilities.
   3. Monitoring progress to ensure a revenue stream for continuing operation and maintenance of district capital projects.
   4. Maintaining an advocacy effort at the state level to preserve and enhance funding of  community colleges.
4. Continue to support the interest-based approach to institutional problem solving including collective bargaining.
5. Continue to support a culture of inquiry by evaluating data on a regular basis to ensure monitoring of the way in which data influences decision-making to best support student success and enrollment priorities.
6. Support, through policy all accreditation efforts as well as adherence to all ACCJC standards and commission policies.
7. Monitor trends in community college education in planning for the future of College of the Redwoods with special emphasis on creating a vision for the District's future competitive advantage.
8. Continue to support the development of Trustees' professional skills and knowledge.
9. Monitor and support the progress of the CR Foundation in meeting its goals.

Consent Calendar Action Items

Approve/Ratify Personnel Actions: The Trustees took action on several personnel related actions.  Please join me in welcoming Breauna DeMatto to our college community as an Instructional Support Specialist II in the Greenhouse and Andrew Nichols as an Academic Advisor in Special Programs. Let’s also welcome Theresa Sisson back to CR as the Administrative Office Assistant II in our Multicultural Center.

I want to congratulate Jade Euan for her advancement to the Lead Public Safety Officer position.  I believe that Jade is the perfect person to help our Public Safety Department maintain partnerships with students, faculty, staff, and administration to foster an atmosphere that is safe and conducive to learning.

The Board ratified the employment of Greg Allen as the Interim Manager of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy.  I am extremely confident that our Law Enforcement Academy will flourish under the leadership of Greg Allen and the new Director of Administration of Justice Michael Perkins.

The Board approved the change of status for two of our staff colleagues.  Amber Atkins moved from an Administrative Office Assistant II position to an Administrative Secretary I on October 19.  Dan O’Connell will move from a Custodian I to the Delivery Driver/Warehouse position on November 12.

The Trustees ratified my decision to accept three resignations. Alexandra Baker resigned as the Administrative Office Assistant II in Athletics effective October 16. Amber Dennis resigned as the Interim ECE Assistant II in the Child Development Center effective October 23. Lastly, Cinnamon VanHorn resigned as one of our gardeners as of November 9, 2020.

Action/Discussion Items

Monthly Financial Status Report:  The Board approved the monthly financial status report.  The report continued to show what we plan to transfer $90,000 to the Child Development Center, $50,911 to the Shively Farm, and $645,000 to OPEB from the general fund. Our report also showed, based our current understanding of the state’s budget, a projected 2020-21 ending fund balance of 9.0%, or $2,816,676. Given the uncertainty of the State budget, we estimate that we will see $5,000,000 in apportionment deferrals. 

Consideration of eliminations and/or reductions in classified positions due to a bona fide lack of work and/or lack of funds. The Board initiated a layoff within the classified service on June 2, 2020, which has been challenged in the Humboldt Superior Court. In an abundance of caution, and in an effort to limit any negative impacts of the presumptive challenge, the Board considered affirming and adopting the prior reductions in the classified service. The Board provided an opportunity for the public to comment on this action. I attached Resolution 774 that affirmed the Board June 2 action to this summary article. Tami Engman provided a public comment on this agenda item.

Informational Reports

Multicultural Center (MCC) Activities Fall 2020: Alia Dunphy provided an update to the Board on the work of the MCC in fall 2020. Joining Ms. Dunphy were two of our outstanding students—Liberty Kujawa-Seda and Tyric Washington.

Institutional Effectiveness Report: Paul Chown discussed the Institutional Effectiveness Report with the Board. I want to thank Paul and the Institutional Effectiveness Committee for all of their institutional effectiveness work.

Organizational Reports

Academic Senate: Senate President Gary Sokolow commented that the Academic Senate had a discussion relative to class caps on DE classes at its last meeting.

CRFO: CRFO President Michelle Haggerty’s written report included the following:

• CRFO leadership continue to meet with the district weekly and have worked on many new MOUs and a “safety plan” for faculty completing work on campus. The plan is taking into account feedback obtained through a faculty survey and shared with the district. The plan also is incorporating public health recommendations.
• The CRFO negotiators and officers attended their independents group (CCCI) meeting in mid-October. At this meeting they listened to presentations from the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC), Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis who is now on the Board of Governors, attorneys representing unions throughout the state, the State Student Senate President and faculty leaders from other colleges that are members of their independents group. Summary points from different groups represented included:

• FACCC:
  • Advocating for faculty to be involved in discussions on improving the academic success of underrepresented students on our campuses.
  • Reporting the state budget includes $1.5 billion in deferrals. FACCC believes that these deferrals will be paid back on time.
  • Highlighting the amount of money being spent on Calbright that is currently serving 500 students.
  • Advocating for the removal of performance markers in the funding formula.
  • Reporting on enrollment being down 5-7% across the California Community College system.
• CCCI Priorities:
  • Decreasing the reliance on part-time (PT) faculty
    • 50% of sections throughout the system are taught by PT faculty.
    • Since 2008 PT faculty have been relied on more.
  • Changing funding formula:
    • Performance based funding is not effective in education
    • Financial aid qualification is not a good indicator of financial status of students.
    • The cost of living is not the same in all counties of CA.
  • Decreasing resources used by Calbright
• The faculty continue to work very hard to educate and support the students throughout our district during this difficult semester. The college is working together to get through this crisis.
• CRFO appreciates the work the Trustees are doing as Board members.

CSEA: President Tami Engman’s written report included:

• A thank you to Trustee Bruce Emad for his years of service on the board, a welcome to Trustee Elect Dr. Robertson to the Board, and a welcome to Trustee Coppini back to the Board.
• A statement that classified staff are all experiencing different emotions and reactions during this time.
• The CSEA nominations process for the offices of Chapter President, Chapter Secretary and Chapter Public Relations/Communications has begun.

Administrative Reports

President/Superintendent's Report: My written report touched on several topics. Here is a snapshot of what I wrote: 

• I congratulated President of the Board Dr. Colleen Mullery and Trustee Mrs. Sally Biggin for their reelection to the Board of Trustees. 
• We are going to hold a trustee orientation for Dr. Rebecca Roberston and Tracy Coppini via zoom on December 2, 2020. Here’s a draft of the current schedule:

10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.                 Executive Cabinet & Trustee Kelley

11:15 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.                 C.R. President & H.S.U. President

11:25 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.                 Paul Chown, Institutional Research

12:05 p.m. – 12:20 p.m.                 Gary Sokolow, Academic Senate

12:20 p.m. – 12:35 p.m.                 Michelle Haggerty and Erik Kramer, CRFO

12:35 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.                 Tami Engman, Mark Bernards, and others, CSEA

12:50 p.m. – 1:05 p.m.                   Jordan Hamill, Management Council

• We are going to interview 2 candidates for the HR director position via zoom on November 12 and 13.  Each candidate will interview with the screening committee and representatives from CRFO, CSEA, Management Council, and Executive Cabinet.

We have been accepted to participate in the Chancellor's Office Streamlining Pilot Project for the 2020-2021 academic year.  The purpose of the pilot project is test a prototype comprehensive plan and related reporting tool that will enable colleges to more effectively use data, integrated with budgeting and planning, to improve program decisions and student outcomes.

As a pilot, College of the Redwoods will be provided $200,000 to support the integration and reporting activities and initial training on the project and on-going support.  During the course of the pilot, each pilot college will develop a comprehensive planning/reporting process suitable to its local context and provide the required information in the comprehensive plan online reporting form.

Below is just one example of what such a process might look like. 

Step 1: Identify a college comprehensive planning lead and team

Director of IT and Institutional Effectiveness Paul Chown has been appointed as the lead on this project. The purpose of the comprehensive planning process is to improve colleges’ capacity to plan, budget and report in a holistic way to maximize the impact of resources and time to achieve the college’s local Vision goals. Given this goal, CR created a cross-functional workgroup comprised of Kintay Johnson, Colin Trujillo, Stephanie Burres, and Ericka Barber to assist Paul Chown in overseeing this effort.

Step II: Example 8-month workgroup schedule for pilot colleges (October 2020-May 2021)

October 2020:

• Identify lead and workgroup members
• Attend a 2-hour informational session and training with the Chancellor’s Office and statewide project team (lead only)
• Hold first workgroup meeting to (1) review the comprehensive plan template and other materials, (2) identify which programs, directors, and committees to include in the process based on programs included in the pilot and the structure of the college’s governance processes, and (3) develop an initial timeline for meetings, decisions, approvals, and other key activities
• Begin socializing the project and process with appropriate stakeholder groups and planning committees on campus (e.g., Academic Senate, affected program directors, etc.)

October through December 2020:

• Convene necessary workgroups, committees, and programs with a focus on braiding the funds and activities of each program for maximum effect on student success and achievement of local Vision goals
• Identify and schedule agenda items for discussion/approval in Spring (e.g., with the academic senate, classified senate, executive cabinet, board of trustees and other governance organizations)
• Participate in the pilot college community on the Vision Resource Center
• Attend at least one check-in with the statewide project team to provide feedback and ask clarifying questions about the work
• Connect with the Foundation pilot project team with questions or concerns and with requests for technical assistance
• Respond to a short survey from the project team about the first three months of the project

January through April 2021:

• Complete meetings with affected programs and other groups
• Begin filling out the comprehensive plan template
• Acquire approval from appropriate governance organizations (TBD)
• Continue participating in the pilot college community on the Vision Resource Center
• Attend at least two check-ins with the statewide project team to provide feedback and ask clarifying questions about the work

May 2021:

• Submit final comprehensive plan by May 15, 2021
• Attend a de-brief of the pilot with the statewide pilot project team
• Respond to a short survey from the project team about the entire project process and experience

Throughout Spring and Fall 2021 (after completion of the project): Lead and/or workgroup members will agree to

• Participate in conference presentations with Chancellor’s Office leadership to socialize and discuss the comprehensive plan project
• Respond to Foundation project team questions as they work with the Chancellor’s Office to design and implement next steps

I provided two brief comments. First, I mentioned that “drive in” flu shots will be available on November 20 for faculty, staff and students. I want to thank Bob for working with Cloney’s Pharmacy to set this up. I also wished all students and staff who happen to be former Marines a happy birthday since today, November 10, is the Marine Corps birthday.

Vice President of Instruction Report: Angelina’s written report spoke to the following:

• All teaching faculty are now certified to teach distance education through either online or correspondence (or both) modalities.
• The College is on track to have all courses certified to be taught online or via correspondence that are, or will be taught in those modalities, by the end of this semester. 
• EOPS is implementing many exciting changes to support students. The program just recently made changes to streamline the application process for students.  In spring 21, EOPS will begin actively scheduling students to improve operational efficiency and move towards greater program compliance and better student outcomes.

Angelina mentioned that her relationship with the classified staff throughout this difficult period of staff reductions has been collegial. She also mentioned that we are going to participate the Regional American Indian Education virtual meeting on November 17 from 9-noon.

Vice President of Administrative Services Report:  Julia’s written report noted that:

• The 2019-20 Annual Audit will be the second year with the District's new firm, Cossolias, Wilson, Dominguez, and Leavitt (CWDL).  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the interim field work visit as well as the final audit visit were performed remotely.  The interim fieldwork was completed in May, and no concerns were raised by the audit team at that time.  The final audit virtual visit was conducted last week.  Although the deadline for the audit submission has been extended to February 28, 2021, we want to submit our audit report by the initial December 31, 2020.  
• Our Fall 2020 full-time faculty compliance number is 56.2 while the total full-time equivalent faculty obligation number (FON) is 73.5. What that means is that we have 17.3 more faculty than we are obligated to have based on our FTES.  In comparison, the Fall 2019 compliance number was 60.2 with a total full-time equivalent faculty number of 74.9, or 14.7 above the number required.  While this is good news in terms of the District’s compliance with Education Code and Chancellor’s Office requirements, it is more important that we continue hiring faculty in mission critical areas to ensure student success/completion and enrollment growth.  I attached the FON compliance report to this summary.

Executive Director of Foundation Report: Marty’s report included:

• Alia Dunphy and Marty are collaborating on a 1^st Generation College of the Redwoods Student Celebration for November.
• Marty has been working with Foundation Board members to develop a Gift Opportunities Package for local estate attorneys, CPAs, and financial planners.
• The Foundation’s Del Norte Committee met on October 13^th and discussed the Gift Opportunities Package. The group also discussed potential partnership opportunities in Del Norte County, approved our Tolowa sign, and discussed possible financial support for the Pelican Bay Scholars Program.
• The Foundation’s President, Monica Sperling, and the Executive Director met with Gina Zottola, the director of the Wild Rivers Community Foundation, in Crescent City, to discuss partnership opportunities. 
• Marty has continued to assist a movie production company to film a movie both at College of the Redwoods and in Humboldt County. Filming at CR will occur this month.

Future Agenda Items, Reports, Requests for Information

Approve a Trustee Request to Place an Item on a Future Agenda or Direct Staff to Give a Regular Report: Trustee Dorn asked for a report relative to our capital projects (specially the solar projects). The Board agreed.