---

Published on 10/3/2023.

Audit Committee Meeting

Joanna Bowes and Danielle Arruda discussed the current economic conditions that prompted our recommendation to ask the Board to pass a resolution that will allow us to refund about 6.73% in net present value of Measure Q back to the taxpayers.

Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees

Comments/Board Business

Land Acknowledgement:  President of the Board Biggin read the district’s formal statement recognizing our area’s 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.

General Public Comments: A student provided public comment on the discontinuance of the Manufacturing Technology program.

Member Comments: Trustee Kelley and Vice President Trustee Dr. Robertson mentioned that they attended the Eureka Campus scholarship reception at the Wharfinger Building as well as the April 29 Dragging Through Time show. Trustee Dr. Mullery also attended the Eureka Campus scholarship reception. Trustee Mathews noted that she participated in Del Norte Scholarship reception and Open House event. President Biggin mentioned that she attended several meetings related to DEIA and that she went to the student art exhibition in our Eureka Campus art gallery.

Board Committee Reports: Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for the President’s Evaluation, Trustee Dr. Mullery, stated that she was pleased with the 40% return rate for the evaluation survey sent to staff. Audit Committee Chair Trustee Dorn stated that the Audit Committee met prior to the Board meeting to discuss refunding the General Obligation Measure Q bond.

Determine Student Trustee Privileges: Every year, the Board acts to determine privileges for the student trustee. By Board Policy, Student Trustee Elect Sible Godfrey will be afforded the right to attend or participate in closed sessions of the Board other than closed sessions on personnel matters, collective bargaining matters, or with the attorney for the District involving attorney-client privilege relationship; make and second motions and may cast an advisory vote; serve on the committees of the Board at the discretion of the President of the Board; and receive compensation equal to the amount afforded to the Board members.

Consent Calendar Action Items

Approve/Ratify Personnel Actions: By Board action, we welcome several new colleagues to our college community. We are fortunate that Sandor Turke will assume the Instructional Support Specialist II (DSPS) position, Jennifer Bailey the Interim Manager of Student Development, and Ryan Bisio the Assistant Director of Athletic Programs.

Also joining us as our new Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research is Dr. Amy Moffat. Dr. Moffat will replace soon to be retired Paul Chown.  Dr. Moffat has a PhD in social sciences from the University of California, Merced where she used both quantitative (multiple regression) and qualitative (one on one interviews) to triangulate the experience of doulas and their clients. She also has a MA from the University of Maryland in Applied Anthropology and a BA in Economics and Management and Anthropology from Beloit College. Dr. Moffat currently serves as Associate Director of Institutional Assessment for Cal Poly Humboldt were she assesses outcomes within nonacademic units, collaborates on building campus-wide infrastructure for institutional effectiveness, assists in continuous improvement efforts in co-curricular and operational assessment, supports institutional capacity for effective and meaningful outcomes assessment efforts, and works closely with staff and administrators on evaluating outcomes and objectives and program effectiveness through direct and indirect evidence.  She is engaged and committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity priorities. Currently she is a team member of Cal Poly Humboldt’s committee to prepare an application for the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification for colleges/universities that strive to go beyond enrollment and more intentionally serve Latinx students to become institutions where Latinos thrive. At UC Merced she co-chaired the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, served as a peer panelist on Title IX sexual harassment / sexual violence cases, and co-facilitated Queer Ally Program trainings. More recently she was a part of Cooperation Humboldt’s education team, co-facilitating study groups in 2020 and 2021.

I want to congratulate several classified staff for their employee change of status: Jesus Hernandez, Alexis Lopez-Camacho, and Daisy Ceja will receive two percent bilingual stipends effective April 1, 2023, and Roben Printy – Custodian I – Evenings moved to the Swing Shift.

The Board also ratified the employment of five new faculty for fall 2023.

• Mr. Lupe Galvan, Assistant Professor of Art, has an MFA from The New York Academy of Art and a BA in Illustration from Boise State University. His experience includes teaching a variety of classes at Boise State University, Southern Oregon University, Yavapai College, Neumann University, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mr. Galvan has had his work exhibited at several venues including the Schneider Museum of Art in Ashland Oregon, the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James New York, the Lancaster Museum of Art in Lancaster Pennsylvania, the Fairbanks Studio in Murray Kentucky, and the Lady Base Gallery in San Antonio Texas.  As a bonus, Mr. Galvan is fluent in Spanish and has some fluency in French.
• Dr. Stacey Anne Salinas, Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies, received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine and received her Master’s degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, both in American History. Her research focused on Asian American History centering on the roles of Asian American women and their impact on America’s Civil Rights Movement(s) and contributions to the diversity of the American woman’s experience. Her Doctorate is from the University of California, Davis in Cultural Studies, with an emphasis on Asian American Studies, American History, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, BIPOC Feminisms, and Critical Filipinx Studies.  Dr. Salinas published two books— Philippines' Resistance: The Last Allied Stronghold in the Pacific in 2017 and Pinay Guerrilleras: The Unsung Heroics of Filipina Resistance Fighters During the Pacific War in 2022 and has contributed to several scholarly articles related to Filipino/Filipina American Studies.
• Dr. Laurrie McKendry, Assistant Professor of Business Del Norte/Pelican Bay Scholars Program (Non-Tenure), Dr. McKendry received her BA in Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity and Women’s Studies from St. Catherine University, a master’s degree of Business Administration from also from St. Catherine University, and a Doctorate in Leadership from St. Mary’s University.
• Mr. Noah Decker, Assistant Professor of Biology Del Norte/Pelican Bay Scholars Program, has a AS in Environmental Conservation from American River College, a BS in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from UC Santa Cruz and the MS in Nutritional Biology from UC Davis. Noah has thirteen years of teaching microbiology, anatomy and physiology, environmental science, medical terminology, major’s biology, nonmajor’s biology, nutrition, human biology, and exercise science at the community college level. He also has prison teaching experience inside California State Prison, Solano through a Level III Inmate Education Program.
• Dr. Ross Odell, Assistant Professor of English, has a BA in English from McGill University and the Ph.D. in English from the University of Oregon (UO). Ross developed course structures and grading models in each course which agree with CR’s work to provide a robust English degree program to a diversity of learners. His service on committees includes revising course and program level learning outcomes to better align with recommendations from UO’s Division of Equity and Inclusion and compiling Open Educational Resources (OERs) to remove financial barriers for students. His teaching has been nominated for UO Composition’s Equity and Inclusion Award.

Action/Discussion Items

Approve Monthly Financial Status Report: The report covered the period of July 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 and showed that: 1) we did not have additional budget changes since the April meeting; 2) the second quarter CA State Lottery proceeds were received in March, and actuals now exceed the budgeted amount; 3) overall, total revenues are now higher than at this time last year; and 4) salary and benefit Expenses are currently under budget, however the retro-active salary increases for faculty aren’t reflected in actual expenses yet. The retro-active salary increases will be paid starting in June. Transfers out are comprised of the following:

•      $90,000      Child Development Center
•      $67,122      Shively Farm
•    $750,000      OPEB fund
•    $150,000      Capital Outlay
• $1,057,122      Total

Resolution 798 Certificate of Participation Approval for Student Housing Design Phase and Community Stadium Upgrade: The Board approved the Certificate of Participation (COP) to fund the Student Housing Design Phase and Community Stadium Upgrade Project. We are factoring the financing needs for the Community Stadium Upgrade Project in with the Student Housing Design phase in the COP.

As background, we submitted an Affordable Student Housing Grant Application for round 2 of the funding cycle.  Our application asked the State to provide $28.415 million of the $53.3 million total cost of our new housing project. To complete the project, we will need to secure financing for the remaining $24.87 million. While the timeline for when districts will receive notification about their applications has yet to be announced, we believe that the funding, if awarded, would only be applicable for expenditures incurred on or after July 1, 2023.  In the meantime, it's in our best interest to continue to move forward through the design phase of the project, but gap funding is needed to do so. 

Resolution 800 for Classified Employee Week: It was in great appreciation that the Board approved this resolution declaring the week of May 21-27, 2023, as Classified School Employee Week. The resolution read:

WHEREAS, classified professionals provide valuable services to the schools and students of the Redwoods Community College District; and

WHEREAS, classified employees contribute to the establishment and promotion of a positive instructional environment; and

WHEREAS, classified employees serve a vital role in providing for the welfare and safety of Redwoods Community College District students; and

WHEREAS, classified employees of the Redwoods Community College District strive for excellence in all areas relative to the educational community;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Redwoods Community College District hereby recognizes and wishes to honor the contribution of the classified professionals to quality education in the state of California and in the Redwoods Community College District and declares the week of May 21-27, 2023, as Classified School Employee Week in the Redwoods Community College District.

Informational Reports

i3Initiative Presentation: Professors Erin Wall, Shannon Sullivan, and Chris Gaines presented an update on the i3 work (rebranded as Think Big Projects). Faculty, community members and students met at a Design Thinking Workshop on April 8 to explore four real world problems:

1. What interdisciplinary programs should CR build to inspire, develop, and sell student and faculty designed products and services?
2. What does the student in the 21st century expect from their college experience?
3. What type of activities would be necessary to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem at CR?
4. How do students in the 21st century need to learn?

Here’s a summary of some of the themes that came out of the workshop.

• Strengthening communities in our online courses.
• Instruction both face-to-face and online that demonstrates current pedagogy and relevant tools to the workforce.
• Desire to expand their learning through access to labs and facilities like makerspaces
• Communication and ongoing engagement from CR on Instagram that promotes the programs by looking at what students are actually doing.
• Classroom visits from recent CR grads that are succeeding in their fields
• Access to internships and externships across disciplines.
• Ability to build their own custom pathway at CR that amplifies what they’re already good at and utilizes their existing connections.

An important question we have to answer is: How do we fit experiential learning into our model as a college? Experiential learning is how the students want to learn, it’s how faculty want to teach, and community and industry partners get very excited about hands on learning alongside our students. 

Erin, Shannon and Chris shared the 2023-24 goals for the i3 initiative:

• Collaborate with Cal Poly Humboldt and Lost Coast Ventures, fall 2023
• Hold a workshop in Del Norte, spring 2024
• Explore if Del Norte needs its own EMP?
• Integrate hands-on learning into classrooms across disciplines by training faculty, staff, and students in Design Thinking.
• Expand community partnerships beyond our broader CR community.
• Explore makerspace and innovation lab concepts.
• Strengthen the partnerships between the Outdoor Campus Collaborative and similar experiential learning efforts.

Here’s a link to the video of the workshop. I encourage you to look at it. The student comments were very enlightening!

Think Big Projects - YouTube

Outdoor Campus Collaborative and ENVSC-10 Course Work: Several students in Professor Maria Morrow’s Environmental Science 10 classes gave a wonderful update on their work related to the Outdoor Campus Collaborative. I attached their powerpoint to this summary.

Organizational Reports

Academic Senate: Academic Senate President Gaines updated the Trustees on the work of the Academic Senate. He mentioned that Professor Deanna Herrera will move into the presidency of the Senate next year. Joining Deanna will be Vice President Elect Erin Wall. President Gaines also shared that Sal Khan published a TED talk recently that focused on the impact of AI on higher education instruction and operations. I strongly encourage you to view the fascinating TED talk at the below link:

https://www.ted.com/talks/sal_khan_the_amazing_ai_super_tutor_for_students_and_teachers/c

CRFO: CRFO President Haggerty updated the Board on the work of the faculty union.

Classified: President Engman shared a video that spoke to the reason why we celebrate our classified staff colleagues with a Classified School Employee Week. Here’s a link to the video CSEW 2023 - YouTube

Management Council: Management Council President Sorenson announced the new Management Council Officers for the 2023/24. Ericka Barber will serve as President, Morgan Solem will take over as Vice President, and Leigh Dooley will assume the Secretary role.

Student Trustee: Student Trustee Madsen’s final written report included:

• Three ASCR Senate members attended the Del Norte Scholarship Reception, open house, and nursing program presentation on April 12.
• ASCR members filled plastic eggs and hid them (with permission from area directors and facilities) around the LRC, Cafe, and campus dorms for the egg hunt on April 10-13.
• Self-care night on April 15 was much appreciated. Students were able to stop by the Mendocino Lounge on a Saturday afternoon and unwind. Activities included coloring, solving puzzles, playing with playdoh, listening to relaxing music, and taking home rejuvenating face masks.
• Klamath-Trinity Campus Senator Stephanie McKindley hosted a luncheon on April 19 on the KT campus to promote elections and student engagement.
• ASCR funded Brown Bag Lunches for the Outdoor Campus Collaborative (OCC) First Wednesday Walk on April 4. ASCR will also fund burritos for the OCC First Wednesday Walk on May 3.

Trustee Madsen introduced Student Trustee Elect Sible Godfrey. She also discussed CR’s performance at the National Cyber League (NCL) competition. NCL players included CR students from CIS Ethical Hacking and the CR CS Club who competed against students from community colleges, universities, and high schools nationally. Two CR CIS students placed 52nd and 58th on the NCL's National Top 100 Leaderboard out of 6726 players. CR’s Purple Team took 25th Place on the NCL's National Top 100 Leaderboard out of 3593 teams and took the 1^st place trophy for Far North Colleges. CR Blue Team took Far North Colleges - 2nd Place for the 3rd year running! CR Blue Team was also 2nd place in all CA colleges and 4th place overall out of 33 teams.

Administrative Reports

President/Superintendent's Report: My written report included:

• A link to a TED Talk that discussed how ChatGPT can be used well beyond plagiarism and other common topics in education.

https://www.ted.com/talks/greg_brockman_the_inside_story_of_chatgpt_s_astonishing_potential/no-comments

• A link to a USA Today article about the high demand for workers at utility-scale wind and solar farms. Many companies will hire and train people with no specific experience in the field. But a two-year community college degree is a strong foundation that allows graduates to quickly work their way up to management. According to the article, wind projects are struggling to find qualified technicians and wind technician jobs are the second fastest-growing jobs in the country, second only to nurse practitioners.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/04/08/green-energy-jobs-wind-tech-hiring-boom-doesnt-require-4-year-degree/11556002002/

• The table of posted/closed positions.

 

SITE	POSITION	FUND TYPE	POSITION TYPE	SALARY RANGE (ANNUAL)
	POSTED
EKA	Assistant Professor, Nursing - Pediatrics	General	Replacement	$63,688 - $91,145
EKA	Assistant Professor, Nursing (one-semester replacement)	General	Replacement	$63,688 - $91,145
EKA	Communications and Marketing Coordinator	General	Replacement	$49,732.80 - $87,193.60
EKA	Athletic Trainer - Manager	General	New	$73,465.60 - $124,404.80
EKA	ECE Assistant I	Categorical	Replacement	$16.99 - $29.76/Hour
EKA	ECE Assistant II (2 positions)	Categorical	Replacement	$18.73 - $32.85/Hour
EKA	Director of Nursing	General	Replacement	$93,808.00 – 158,849.60
EKA	Police Officer	General	New	$66,643.20 - $116,958.40
	CLOSED
EKA	Administrative Office Assistant II (Dental)	General	Replacement	$19.67- $34.48/Hour
EKA	Administrative Secretary I	Grant	New	$21.68 - $38.04/Hour
EKA	Administrative Office Coordinator	General	Replacement	$60,465.60 – 106,038.40
EKA	Administrative Office Coordinator (CE)	General	New	$60,465.60 – 106,038.40
EKA	Maintenance Specialist II	General	Replacement	$52,228.80 - $91,582.40
EKA	Director, Housing Operations	General	Replacement	$81,016.00 - $137,155.20
EKA	Assistant Professor, Nursing - Maternal Newborn	General	Replacement	$63,688 - $91,145

In my verbal comments, I thanked Marabeth Madsen for her work as Student Trustee this year. I also thanked our staff, students, and community partners for putting on a very successful “Dragging Through Time” show on April 29 and Chief Perkins, Sergeant Watson, and our public safety officers for making sure that everyone who attended the event were safe.

I also mentioned that the County of Humboldt, along with several other local agencies, received and hateful message that threatened the lives of members of the Black and 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities. Today the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors passed an anti-hate resolution that condemns identity-based hate and reinforce the county’s commitment to making our community a safe place where all people feel like they belong. I am proud to say that I joined 56 of our community leaders in signing a letter acknowledging our commitment to providing an environment where all people feel free to present their full and authentic selves safely at in Humboldt County. I attached the letter to this blog summary.

Vice President of Instruction Report:  Lisa’s written report noted that:

• We held our fifth Firefighter Academy graduation on April 11, 2023. Twenty-seven cadets participated in the ceremony, earning certifications to be employed with Cal Fire and other fire agencies throughout the state.
• Our Career and Technical Education Field Day was held on April 8, 2023. The event was sponsored by the North Coast Agriculture Partners and organized and run by the CR Ag Leadership students as part of the class curriculum.  Lisa thanked the following colleagues who made the event a success: Jasmine Iniguez, Robert Landry, Anibal Florez, Kyle Shamp, Valerie Elder, Bert Hafar, Silas Sarvinski, Augusta Solem, and Mike Haley.
• The Del Norte Campus held its Spring Open House and Scholarship Reception in April. Besides handing out scholarships, Shauna Burdick, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, and Jessica Howard, Director of Nursing, gave a presentation about the Del Norte Nursing program and a possible future for health career training in Del Norte. Lisa recognized Tanya Anderson, Lauryn Cortez, Shane Stodola, Gustavo Vasquez, Cody Yeates, Cody Love, Lindsay Ford, Heather Payne, Tiffany Dodson, Andi Ives, Lyndsey Burrescia, Lindsey Ford, Krysten Bertolini, and Rory Johnson for putting the event together.

Lisa mentioned that the Ag department had a very successful plant sale—netting more money this year than in previous years.

Vice President of Administrative Services Report: Julia’s written report noted that the student housing project architect, KTGY, has been working on the design documents for the new Student Housing project. The current layout includes a 3-story "L" shaped student housing building, with dining and amenity services each being in separate buildings on the site. The current time frame for submission of the drawings to DSA is July 2023. It could take 3-4 months, or longer, for DSA's initial review. I attached a copy of the current layout to the summary blog.

Julia thanked Marabeth for her service on the Board.

Interim Vice President of Student Services Report: Crystal’s written report noted that we were approved earlier this calendar year for NextUP funding from the CCCCO. She also noted wrote that nearly 1,000 seventh grade students visited College of the Redwoods this April for the annual I've Been Admitted to College (IBAC)/Redwood Days event. North Coast Cal-SOAP, Academy of the Redwoods, and the HCOE Decade of Difference, in collaboration with the CR Outreach Team provided an opportunity for middle school students to explore the Eureka campus, career opportunities, and education opportunities. This is the first in-person Redwood Days event since 2019. 

Crystal thanked Marabeth for her leadership and guidance to ASCR.

Interim Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives: Kerry provided an update on several strategically initiatives including:

• We have been selected as one of 20 California Community Colleges to receive the Native American Student Support and Success Program Grant (NASSSP). Made possible by a one-time allocation of $30 million, funds will be disbursed over a five-year period (July 2023-July 2028) to the 20 participating community colleges. CR will receive an allocation of $1.5 million in two phases.

• We secured $188,000 in grant funding from the Chancellor’s Office to support the College's aquaculture program. The project, entitled “Aquaculture Pathways to Careers,” encompasses four key elements: Build dual enrollment pathways in aquaculture at local high schools to prepare students to matriculate to CR’s aquaculture program; collaborate with Cal Poly Humboldt to ensure that CR students are well prepared to transfer to their BS program in Fisheries Biology with an emphasis in Aquaculture; engage in targeted outreach efforts to local high schools in Humboldt County as well as through our local tribal education offices to educate students and community members about this new program; and develop a strong Aquaculture Advisory Committee and work within that structure to connect CR aquaculture students to internships and job shadowing opportunities in the local aquaculture industry.

• We are continuing to research new programs that we may consider developing to support our Education Master Plan Initiatives, particularly Initiative 1: Become the preferred transfer pathway to Cal Poly Humboldt and Initiative 2: Expand and prioritize offerings that prepare students for living wage jobs.

Because the approval process for new academic programs can involve regional review and approval (for Career Education Programs, specifically) as well as local, shared governance review under AP 4020: Program, Curriculum, and Course Development, the process for shepherding a program through the entire process can take up to 18 months (for non-Career Ed programs) to 30 months (for CE programs). Below is a chart that provides an update on the status of each of the programs we are working on.

This chart is slightly different from the one provided to the Trustees. We added the BS in Business, Entrepreneurial Studies to the list. Many programs under consideration will help meet critical training needs in the healthcare sector, while others will support emerging industries and/or clear transfer pathways between CR and Cal Poly Humboldt.

 

Program	Degree/ Certificate	Regional Approval Process   (Affirmative Labor Market Indicators, North Far North Regional Approval)	Local Approval Process   (AP4020, Course/Program Curriculum, Board Approval)	Start Date
Business, Entrepreneurial Studies	B.S. Degree	LMI Requested/In Process		Fall 2025-26
Engineering Technology	A.S. Degree, Certificate of Achievement	LMI Approved/ Program Approval in Process		Fall 2025
Healthcare Navigation/ Patient Care Coordination	A.S. Degree, Certificate of Achievement	LMI Approved/ Program Approval in Process		Fall 2024
Project Management	B.S., A.S.	LMI Requested/In Process		Fall 2025-26
Psychiatric Technician	A.S. Degree, Certificate of Achievement	LMI Approved/ Program Approval in Process		Fall 2025
Respiratory Care/Therapy	A.S. Degree, Certificate of Achievement	Approved	In Process	Fall 2025
Surgical Technologist	A.S. Degree, Certificate of Achievement	LMI Approved/ Program Approval in Process		Fall 2025
Wind Technology	A.S. Degree, Certificates of Achievement	LMI Requested/In Process		Fall 2026

Kerry thanked Marabeth for serving as Student Trustee. She also noted that a President’s Council member volunteered to work with us to help boost enrollment.

Executive Director of College Advancement and the Foundation: Marty provided a status update on several of the Foundation’s 2022-23 Goals

Goal: Establish Foundation’s brand identity and relevancy in the community.	Naming Ceremonies were conducted for the Board Room, LIGHT Center, and a nursing lab classroom. A yearlong radio advertising campaign for the Foundation was launched on Eureka Broadcasting’s three stations. The Executive Director will record a 5 min. “Redwood Newsmakers” on the Foundation for Redwood News KIEM-TV.  The program will run May 11 at 5 pm and 11 pm.  Then, again on Wednesday morning, May 12 between 6 am and 7 am and then on Saturday, May 13 during the 6 pm and 11 pm news. The Executive Director made presentations to the Sunrise Rotary of Arcata, Arcata Noon Rotary Club, Old Town Eureka Rotary, Fortuna Rotary, and Southwest Eureka Rotary. The Foundation sponsored community events including the Humboldt Math Festival; the Redwood Coast Region Development Summit for Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and adjacent Tribal Lands; the Seven Gill Shark Review; various CR Art Gallery functions, and the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The Foundation’s website was redesigned to highlight the Foundation’s major projects and to freshen up the overall look. Three new board members were added to the Board, and two more will be considered in May. Scholarship receptions were held in Crescent City & Eureka. The Executive Director has been working with a freelance historical writer producing CR success stories.
Goal: Promote funding of scholarships, internships, and special projects.	The Foundation awarded 384 scholarships, valued at $270,000 in 2022-23. A $125,00 grant was secured for the Finish Line Scholarship Fund supporting 117 students in traditionally lower graduation and transfer rate groups. The Planned Giving Pamphlet was created and sent out to over 100 lawyers, CPAs, and financial advisors. A Second Chance scholarship is being piloted for the Del Norte Educational Center. New scholarships this academic year include the Del Norte Nursing/EMT Scholarship Fund, and the Jean E. and the B. Curtis Spinas Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Executive Director continued to collaborate with Student Services on the Redwoods Room & Board Scholarship. The Executive Director established a system whereas sports teams, ASCR clubs, and departments can utilize on online event registration and sell tickets online.  This has been provided for two Softball’s two camps, the Women in Welding event, and the ASI ARV Riders Course. The Executive Director launched a Giving Tuesday campaign in November and a Redwoods Room & Board campaign in December. The Executive Director secured title sponsorships for the football playoff bowl game and the men’s basketball’s playoff game. CR’s annual employee giving program increased by 64% in 2022-23. The Executive Director partnered with the Athletic Department for the most successful CR Dinner & Auction to date raising $120,000. The Executive Director has been working to update alumni records, and their email addresses and reach out to more than 1,200 CR alumni who are on LinkedIn. The Executive Director has been collaborating with the Athletic Department and the Business Office around a campaign for Community Stadium 2.0.
Goal: Facilitate partnerships, programs, and initiatives that focus on student enrollment and success, workforce and economic development, community health, and equitable opportunity.	The Foundation financially supports CR’s various student retention activities/events, department surveying efforts and multicultural events. The Foundation this year has established a new partnership with Associated Students for College of the Redwoods. The Executive Director sits on the Executive Committee of the Humboldt Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). The Executive Director sits on the North Coast Grant Making Partnership with First Five Humboldt, the Patricia D. and William B Smullin Foundation, the McLean Foundation, the Humboldt Area Foundation, the Vesper Society, the Humboldt Health Foundation, and the St. Joseph Health Foundation. The Executive Director participates in the Community Economic Resilience Consortium (CERC). The President’s Innovation Fund grants for faculty, staff and the community launched this year with 22 grants submissions, with awards of $130,000 in 2022. The second awards cycle is still in process.

During his verbal comments, Marty mentioned that planning work is continuing for the August 10 Sport’s Auction where Jim McCauley and the 1998-1999 men’s basketball team will be honored.

Closed Session

The agenda included two closed session items. In the “Deliberation and Decision Regarding California School Employees Association Chapter 509 Grievance of 130-Day Probationary Period for Classified Employee (Govt. Code § 3549.1)” agenda item, the Board took action in closed session to deny the grievance appeal submitted by California School Employees Association Chapter 509, concerning an alleged misapplication of the 130-day probationary period negotiated in the 2021-2024 collective bargaining agreement. The Board considered the evidence and arguments submitted by the grievant, as well as the administrative record from prior stages of the grievance procedure. The Board determined that the District’s Level 2 grievance was well-reasoned and free of prejudicial error and on the same grounds affirms the denial of the grievance.

In the second agenda item, the Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for the President’s Evaluation presented the tabulated results of my performance evaluation survey.  In case you’re interest, I want to share a snapshot of the President’s evaluation process.

• One week prior to the June meeting, I will submit my written self-evaluation to the Board. In addition, this self-evaluation shall contain a “state of the college” report on the key indicators, such as employee morale, enrollment, accreditation, overall functioning and stability of the institution, status of integrated planning, status of strategic plans, etc.
• Also in June, the Board and I will review the tabulated results and summary of written response comments from the survey instrument and the written self-evaluation. We will discuss accomplishments as well as items needing further attention by the President/Superintendent and the Board. We will also start discussions regarding goals, expectations, and objectives for the next evaluation period. The ad hoc committee may review the President’s compensation during the evaluation process. The Board may choose to meet without me present for a portion of the meeting.
• One week prior to the July meeting, I will submit to the Board a draft of goals and objectives for the next evaluation period. In closed session, the President/Superintendent and the Board agree on the goals and objectives for her/himself and the district and possible timeframes for meeting them.
• At the August Board meeting in closed session, I will present to the Board a report containing the finalized goals and objectives.  The Board President presents to the Board a written summary of the Board’s evaluation results of the President/Superintendent.  The tabulated results and a summary of written response comments will be included as part of the final evaluation document.
• All materials pertaining to the evaluation and the President/Superintendent’s file are retained in an “Access Only by Action of Board” file located securely in the Human Resources Office. Only the current Board President may execute this action.