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Published on 6/1/2021.

Comments/Board Business

Land Acknowledgement:  President of the Board Danny Kelley read a formal statement that recognizes and respects the Indigenous Peoples as the original stewards of the land that College of the Redwoods occupies. 

We acknowledge that the land on which we are gathered today is unceded territory of the Wiyot people who continue to live and thrive on this land today. It is surrounded by the traditional, ancestral, and present homeland of several indigenous nations including the Hupa, Karuk, Mattole, Tolowa, Wailaki, and Yurok that make up Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.

Member Comments: It was announced that Trustee Biggin was named 2^nd Vice President for the CCCT Board. Trustees Dr. Mullery and Biggin commented that they enjoyed the Nurses Pinning ceremony. Vice President Mathews noted that she participated in the Trustee Townhall and the 3-day trustee conference. President Kelley informed the Board that he attended the Addiction Studies graduation event.

Consent Calendar Action Items

Approve/Ratify Personnel Actions:  By Board action, Crystal Morse is returning to the District to serve as the Interim Evaluation Specialist (General Fund).  I want to thank Ryan Bisio for his willingness to step in as the Interim Assistant Director, Campus Life (Auxiliary Funds) and Donald McArthur to serve as the Interim Director, DSPS (Other Funds) while we search for people to assume permanent positions.

We also welcome three new classified staff to our college community:  Emily Chang as Instructional Support Specialist III (Other Funds), Jessica Noggle, ECE Assistant I (Other Funds), and Jeanette Whitley, ECE Assistant I (Other Funds).

I want to congratulate the following colleagues for their change in employee status:

• Amber Atkins, Administrative Secretary I, Range 113, Step 8 to Administrative Secretary II, Range 115, Step 7 effective July 1, 2021 (General Fund)
• Stephanie Burres, Administrative Assistant – Confidential, Range 121, Step 7 to Interim Benefits and Wellness Manager, Range 124, Step 3, $61,748.78 effective June 14, 2021 (General Fund)
• Lupita Martinez, Administrative Office Coordinator, Range 119, Step 5 to Interim Human Resources Technician effective June 1, 2021 (General Fund)
• Laura Meglemre, Purchasing Specialist, Range 120, Step 9 to Administrative Secretary II, Range 115, Step 9 effective June 1, 2021 (General Fund)
• Esmeralda Ramirez, Student Services Specialist IV, Range 116, Step 7 to Administrative Office Coordinator, Range 119, Step 3 effective June 1, 2021 (General Fund)
• Megan Schroeder, HR Technician, Range 120, Step 5 to Interim Human Resources Analyst, Range 121, Step 5, effective May 17, 2021 (General Fund)
• Matthew Gilliland, Veterans Affairs Specialist, Range 115, Step 5 to Interim Veterans Program Coordinator, Range 119, Step 2 effective June 1, 2021 (Categorical/Other Fund)
• Kristy Seher, Payroll Manager, Range 123, Step 9 to Manager, Public Safety, Range 123, Step 10 effective June 14, 2021 (Categorical/Other Fund)
• Morgan Solem, Administrative Secretary II, Range 115, Step 4 to Interim Manager College Grant Initiatives and Programs, Range 123, Step 2 effective June 1, 2021 (Categorical/Other Fund)

The Board ratified my acceptance of the resignations of Gihane Hyden, Administrative Secretary II and Sarah Smith, Nutrition Associate, Child Development Center.

Change in Negotiators with CSEA: The Board approved my recommendation to replace Dr. Jack Miyamoto as the District’s Labor Negotiator with CSEA with Dr. Angelina Hill.

Approve Request for Proposals for an Inspector of Record for the Creative Arts Drop and Replace Project: The Board approved my recommendation to publish a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Inspector of Record for the Creative Arts Drop and Replace Project. This represents another significant indicator that our Creative Arts building project is well proceeding.

Action/Discussion Items

Monthly Financial Status Report:  Our report covered the July 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021 period. Here are few takeaways from the report:

• State Apportionment Revenue is still trending lower than last year as a result of the apportionment deferrals.
• Property taxes are lower due to Humboldt County Auditor-Controller’s office not providing property tax receipts. 
• Overall, revenues are less than at this point in time last year.
• Salary and Benefit expenses are coming in slightly under budget.
•  Fixed Expenses are trending higher partially due to an unexpected increase in water charges, as well as the payment of the final Incurred but not Reported (IBNR) invoice from North Coast School’s Medical Insurance Group.
• Our overall expenses are trending lower than last year.
• The monthly financial status report shows a projected 2020-21 ending fund balance of 10.5%, or $3,287,334. 
• Until the State’s final budget is approved, it is prudent that we continue to assume that the District will have $5,000,000 in apportionment deferrals. 
• Transfers out are comprised of the following:

  $90,000         Child Development Center

  $50,911         Shively Farm

$645,000         OPEB fund

$785,911         Total

• Revenue contingent transfers out are comprised of the following:

$1,500,000      OPEB fund

   $500,000      Pension Contribution fund

$2,000,000      Total

Approve 2021-22 Tentative Budget: We asked the Board to approve a Tentative Budget before June 30, 2021 so we can start spending on July 1, 2021. 

We will present the District’s 2021-22 Final Budget to the Board on September 7, 2021 after the Legislature and the Governor agree on a final State budget.

The Governor’s May Revise Budget Proposal includes a 4.05% COLA, which is comprised of a catch-up COLA for 2020-21 and a small COLA for 2021-22.  Given the COVID-19 pandemic, actual revenues received by the State have come in much higher than anticipated to make this COLA possible.  The May Revise also proposes to pay back all of the 2020-21 apportionment deferrals.  

As a result of the pandemic, districts were given the option to participate in the Chancellor's Office Emergency Conditions Allowance for FTES.  Districts that opt-in are able to use 2019-20 FTES for 2020-21 in the Student Centered Funding Formula (SCFF) calculation.  The Chancellor's Office recently announced the Emergency Conditions Allowance will be extended through 2021-22.  We opted into this program for 2020-21, and will most likely have to opt-in for 2021-22 as well. 

When the SCFF was implemented in 2018-19, legislation included the Hold Harmless provision for districts for the first three years.  The 2020 Budget Act extended the Hold Harmless through 2023-24.  The Hold Harmless revenue is calculated by taking 2017-18 Total Computational Revenue (TCR) and adding COLA each year. 

Districts are able to earn the greater of either the SCFF or Hold Harmless revenue amounts, however, the districts never know if the State will be able to fully fund revenue earned for all districts until well after the fiscal year is over. 

SCFF Revenue:  Using a SCFF calculator and increasing the student success, supplemental, and student success rates by the proposed COLA, and assuming emergency conditions allowance FTES for the basic allocation, estimated 2021-22 SCFF revenue is $31,302,241.

Hold Harmless Revenue:  In 2017-18 TCR was $26,897,389.  With the previous year COLA increases mentioned above, and assuming a 4.05% COLA for 2021-22, the estimated 2021-22 Hold Harmless revenue is $29,682,476.

Since the SCFF revenue is higher than Hold Harmless revenue, SCFF revenue is assumed for the Redwoods Community College District 2021-22 Tentative Budget. 

Due to an estimated continuation of the enrollment decline in 2022-23 and 2023-24, Hold Harmless revenue is assumed for both years in the Multi-Year Forecast.

I attached the tentative budget to this article. Here are few assumptions we included in the tentative budget.

• Permanent staff salaries include step increases and a pass-through of the estimated 4.05% COLA in 2021-22, and step only increases in 2022-23 and 2023-24. 2020-21 SERP retirements and replacements at a lower salary step are included.
• Temporary staff salaries include increases for statutory and contractual obligations, including step for Associate Faculty and a 1% parity increase in each year 2021-22 through 2023-24.
• Permanent staff health and welfare benefits include estimated SISC medical, dental, and vision rates. For 2021-22 the estimated STRS rate is 15.92% and PERS is 23.0%; in 2022-23 STRS is 18.2% and PERS 25.0%; and in 2023-24 the STRS rate is 18.6% and PERS is 25.6%. Associate faculty and temporary employee benefits include an increase for the STRS and PERS rates.
• Fixed expenses include increases in some expenses such as insurance, with offsetting decreases in some utilities for2021-22 through 2023-24.
• The 2021-22 increase in Other Operating expenses includes the partial re-instatement of the PE/Athletics discretionary budget, $100,000 to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as $400,000 for student accounts receivable (bad debt).
• 2021-22 Planned Transfers -Annual transfers out to Child Development Center $90,000, Shively Farm $59,567, OPEB $820,000, and Capital Outlay for technology replacement and capital repairs and maintenance at $250,000.
• 2022-23 and 2023-24 Planned Transfers -Annual transfers out to Child Development Center $90,000, Shively Farm $58,970 ($60,435 for 2023-24), and OPEB $800,000.

Consideration and Possible Action on Resolution 780 Regarding Elimination of Director of Residential Life Position: Included in this Board meeting agenda was a resolution to eliminate the Director of Residential Life position. I intend to hire a permanent Assistant Director of Resident Life to provide oversight of our dorm system.  Ryan Bisio has agreed to serve as an Interim Assistant Director for the summer while we search for the permanent position.

Informational Reports

Presentation of Redwoods Community College District's Initial Bargaining Proposals to the CSEA: The Districts sunshined our initial bargaining proposal with the CSEA.

Accreditation Update: I noted three accreditation related points in this informational agenda item: first, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) adopted a resolution to approve the interruption of education report for the Class of 2021 and continue the Dental Assisting Program’s accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements.”

Second, our Midterm Report, due in mid-October, will address two items specified in the mid-term instructions (assessment and Institutional Set Standards), the 2017 recommendations, and the three Quality Focus Essay (QFE) proposals related to budget planning, student equity and transfers. The Midterm Report will be reviewed and approved by the Academic Senate in September and the Board of Trustees in October.

Third, our next comprehensive review will be under the new formative/summative review model. Our ISER review will occur in spring of 2024 and the Focused Site Visit will take place in fall 2024. In preparation for the peer review process, the Administration is assigning the responsibility for each of the Standards to a Cabinet member and a manager with specific knowledge of the Standards.

Standard	Responsible Person
1.A Mission	Keith Flamer with Paul Chown
I.B Effectiveness	Keith Flamer with Paul Chown
I.C Integrity	Keith Flamer with Paul Chown
II.A Instruction	Kerry Mayer with Mike Haley, George Potamianos, Peter Blakemore, and Bob Brown
II.B Learning Support	Clinton Slaughter
II.C Student Support	Clinton Slaughter
III.A Human Resources	Angelina Hill
III.B Physical Resources	Julia Morrison with Steve McKenzie
III.C Technology Resources	Keith Flamer with Paul Chown
III.D Financial Resources Planning	Julia Morrison
III.D Financial Resources Responsibility/Stability	Julia Morrison
III.D Financial Resources Liabilities	Julia Morrison
III.D Financial Resources/Contractual Agreements	Julia Morrison
IV.A Decision-Making Roles and Processes	Keith Flamer
IV.B Chief Executive Officer	Keith Flamer
IV.C Governing Board	Keith Flamer

I commented that we will have an accreditation update on the board agenda on a quarterly basis.

Organizational Reports

Academic Senate: Gary Sokolow, outgoing President of the Senate, noted the following in his written board report:

On July 1, Professors Erin Wall and Chris Gaines, will assume their duties as Senate President and Senate Vice-President, respectively. For the time being, the Senate has decided to continue meeting via Zoom.

The Senate has reorganized itself around nine new divisions, which will remain constant over time, regardless of how often the CR Administration changes the make-up of the academic divisions. Recognizing the important contributions Associate Faculty make to CR, they will continue to have two seats on the Senate. The nine new Academic Senate divisions are: English, Math, Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Health & Safety Occupations, Student Services, Applied Technology, and Del Norte Campus.

This year, the Senate has accomplished a number of things:

1. It has responded to the COVID-19 virus challenge by providing for on-line instruction for nearly all CR credit-bearing courses. I want to note that I made an editorial change to Gary’s report for this blog article. Gary originally used the words “Wuhan Virus” in his written report. I replaced his wording with “COVID-19”.
2. Recognizing the importance of serving incarcerated students, the Senate has provided that a number of courses may be taught via correspondence. In so doing, the Senate recognizes that this method will normally be used only when students are unable to receive instruction via any other approved method.
3. The Senate has worked with the Del Norte campus to create a handbook/guide for faculty who teach at Pelican Bay State Prison. The handbook/guide will help all faculty teaching at Pelican Bay acculturate to teaching in a correctional institution.
4. The Senate has been working with the Administration to update a number of Administrative Policies (APs) which directly pertain to instruction.
5. The Senate created a Faculty-led Distance Education Committee to better support faculty who create and offer distance education courses. This new committee will also help streamline the process by which the faculty begin to list CR on-line courses on the state-wide CVC-OEI course “exchange” next year.
6. The Senate is working with the Administration to address cultural competency issues in all that CR does.

Administrative Reports

President/Superintendent's Report: Here are a few items I noted in my written report:

Fifteen Dental Assisting students completed the dental courses and 14 earned a “Certificate of Achievement” at the close of this spring semester. So far, thirteen students have gained employment. The following are the list of employers who hired our 2021 Dental Assisting Program graduates:

• Dr. Barsanti (Arcata), 1 graduate @ $20 per hour.
• Burre Dental Center (Eureka), 1 graduate @ $21 per hour.
• Children’s Dentistry of Redding, 1 graduate @ $19 per hour.
• Dr. Enriquez (Fortuna, Arcata, Eureka), 2 graduates @ $21 per hour.
• Dr. Farrell (Palo Cedro/ Cottonwood), 1 graduate @ $18 per hour.
• Dr. Hunt (Eureka), 1 graduate @ $20 per hour.
• Dr. Lewis (Eureka), 1 graduate @ $19 per hour.
• Dr. Mellon (McKinleyville), 1 graduate @ $24 per hour.
• Dr. Peshka (Eureka), 1 graduate @ $19 per hour.
• Open Door Community Health (Fortuna), 1 graduate @ $21 per hour.
• Redwoods Rural (Redway), 2 graduates @ $22 per hour.

The Board and I are actively advocating on the District’s behalf with local and state elected officials.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) issued a report following the Governor’s release of his May Revised 2021-22 Budget on May 17, 2021. Key takeaways from the LAO’s comments are as follows:

• The LAO estimates the state’s budget surplus at $38 billion in FY 2021-22--a figure significantly less than the Governor’s surplus figure of $76 billion. According to the LAO, the Governor’s estimate includes constitutionally required spending on schools and community colleges, reserves, and debt payments. The LAO does not consider these spending amounts as part of the budgetary surplus because they must be allocated for specific purposes.
• The LAO recommends the Legislature not take a step back from its past practice of prudent budget management by restoring budget resilience.
• The LAO details the state appropriations limit which is estimated to be exceeded by $16 billion.
• The LAO suggests that the Legislature may be able to make more progress in several key policy areas by allocating the surplus in a more targeted manner as opposed to the Governor’s May Revision, which proposes roughly 400 new investments.
• The LAO recommends the Legislature delay some of its investment decisions given the surplus and significant amount of federal fiscal recovery funds. State agency and department capacity to allocate this significant amount of funding in a timely and effective manner, according to the LAO, will likely be significantly constrained, and the Legislature is likely to need more time to deliberate proposed investments.

In my verbal comments, I noted that today marks the beginning of our return to normal operations. We would not have been able to reach this milestone without the help of several staff and administrators. I publically recognized them at this board meeting: Tami Engman, Mark Bernards, Tanya Anderson, Kevin Crotty, Esmeralda Ramirez, Charles Reed, Dan O’Connell, Adrian Dobson, Haley Michel, Roben Printy, Michelle Sandborn, Antonio Villarruel, Max Capps, Steven Garcia, Jim Carr, John Walsh, Sean Patton, Ron Rudden, Ethan Hale, Chuck Arnold, Robert Barkley, Colleen McGill, Shane Stodola, Cody Yates, Johanna Helzer, Steve McKenzie, and Julia Morrison

I mentioned that I am looking forward to the Governor’s June 15^th announcement on reopening the state. Depending what the message holds, I anticipate completely returning to normal operations on July 1. I also stated that based on current budget assumptions, we will have to recover approximately 1,100 FTES in 2023-24 to get back to our 2019-20 level of 3,750 FTES to avoid deficit spending.

Interim Vice President of Instruction Report: Kerry’s written report included the following information:

• She thanked faculty and staff for their work on addressing the myriad pandemic related challenges we had to overcome. 
• The Career Center held two successful virtual job fairs at the end of April. The first, on April 23rd was a general job fair featuring 14 different businesses and organizations. The second, held on April 28th, focused on the nursing profession and featured 14 health-care employers. Nearly 80 students participated in these.
• The CR Agriculture Department was happy to be able to hold a face-to-face plant sale this year after having to cancel the annual event last year due to COVID-19. The community came out in droves to support the department's efforts, leading to a sold out event. Over 350 visitors supported the plant sale, generating a record-breaking $18,000 in total revenue.

Vice President of Administrative Services Report: Julia’s administrative report spoke to the Governor's 2021-22 May Revise Budget. She noted that the May Revise proposes a 4.05% COLA which includes a catch-up amount of 2020-21 and a small COLA for 2021-22.  The May revise also includes the full pay-back of the 2020-21 apportionment deferrals.  Some additional Community College specific highlights include:

• Funding for an integrated approach for student basic needs centers
• $4 billion invested in student housing
• $115 million for zero cost textbook alternatives
• Investments in collaborative workforce development efforts
• $4.6 billion to be invested in the Public School System Stabilization Account for 2020-21 and 2021-22
• 5% Increase to the Student Equity and Achievement program budget that is consistent upon creating actionable goals to close equity gaps 
• 1.7% COLA increase for certain categorical programs
• One-time support to help colleges transition back to in-person education, to continue to implement Guided Pathways, and to address deferred maintenance
• $63.8 million in State Capital Outlay funding for the Physical Education Replacement project construction phase

Overall, the budget and economic outlook has improved, however the State still faces an operating deficit as expenses are increasing at a faster rate than are revenues.

Vice President of Human Resources Report: Angelina noted that:

• As part of the EEO certification process, the College is asked to report the various activities being implemented to promote EEO for each of the following nine Multiple Methods:

 Mandatory for Funding
1.District’s EEO Advisory Committee, EEO Plan, and submittal of Expenditure/Performance reports for prior year.

Pre-Hiring
2.Board policies & adopted resolutions
3.Incentives for hard-to-hire areas/disciplines
4.Focused outreach and publications

Hiring
5.Procedures for addressing diversity throughout hiring steps and levels
6.Consistent and ongoing training for hiring committees

Post-Hiring
7.Professional development focused on diversity
8.Diversity incorporated into criteria for employee evaluation and tenure review
9.Grow-Your-Own programs

In addition to evidence that the College has met all requirements mandatory for funding, the college must also provide an explanation of evidence of meeting 6 of the remaining 8 Multiple Methods. The College's EEO & Diversity Advisory Committee, with constituents from faculty and staff, help inform HR as to how each of these methods have been met across the college. This input was used for this year's report that can be found at www.redwoods.edu/hr.

• College of the Redwoods submits an annual report to the Chancellor's Office documenting that the District has met the Flex Program regulations, and showcasing the professional development opportunities that were offered by the college for faculty in-lieu-of classroom instruction. The CCC 2021-22 Flexible Calendar Activity Submission is attached. 

Interim Vice President of Student Services: Alia Dunphy’s written report noted that:

• HSU and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) broadened services to CR. With the California Department of Social Services broadening the service area beyond the CSU system to community college service area, CR students in Humboldt and Del Norte counties can now access legal services for documentation related provisions without cost. CHIRLA will also provide joint professional development for HSU and CR to increase awareness of current legislation and policies. The HSU EOP Director, Dan Saveliff, was instrumental in developing the partnership and graciously extended the critical service to College of the Redwoods.
• Students and Families have been invited to learn more about the “Free Tuition” program at CR. We are hosting workshops in three formats to increase accessibility: live Zoom, in-person, and pre-recorded. These workshops will help explain the requirements of Free Tuition and the Financial Aid Counselors at CR will be available to answer questions.
• The Humboldt Area Foundation (HAF) explored the possibility of a Kellogg Foundation Grant examining advancing racial equity in our region. Rather than moving forward on the grant HAF sent an unexpected donation of $1000.00 to further equity initiatives at College of the Redwoods.

Executive Director of Foundation Report: Marty’s written report noted:

• The sign for CR's Del Norte campus saying “College of the Redwoods Welcomes You to Tolowa Territory" is in production and should be finished in June. 
• The Foundation’s Del Norte Committee is discussing a Second Chance Scholarship pilot for fall semester. This scholarship would forgive a student’s outstanding debt to CR if the student met specific parameters including registering for fall semester, attending full time, and completing their courses.

Approve a Trustee Request to Place an Item on a Future Agenda or Direct Staff to Give a Regular Report:  

Closed Session

The Board discussed my evaluation in closed session.