October 2017
EQUITY WORKSHOP WINS PRAISE FROM TRUSTEES
Governing Board members participated in a Cultural Competency Workshop facilitated by Dr. Estela Bensimon, Center for Urban Education, Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California. The workshop highlighted the commitment and capabilities needed for an institution to equitably serve students of all races, ethnicities, gender/sexual orientation, and backgrounds with respect to access, success, and campus climate. Bensimon recommended that equity-minded indicators be included in strategic planning, annual reports, faculty hiring and curriculum, and the importance of the District setting equity goals (with specific numerical targets).
Trustees praised the workshop and presentation. Trustee Edwin Hiel said the more people hear these conversations, the more they develop awareness and skills. President Bill Garrett said now that the District is addressing the equity issue, he is learning what Board members can do and how to be more sensitive toward these concerns. Garrett commended the entire District for taking huge steps toward equity efforts.
  REPORTS TO THE PUBLIC
Board members provided clarification on the September 2017 vote to approve the Confidential Administrators’ Handbook without the salary schedule. Trustee Debbie Justeson said she wanted the Board to conduct additional discussion on the topic, but she does support a salary schedule for this group.
 
Board member Greg Barr said the vote was an honest disagreement, but there was reflection on the deep respect Board members have for the administrators and the work they do.

Trustee Elena Adams said she had concerns with the timing of the proposal, but there was no intention by the trustees to show disrespect, noting the Board must do what it was elected to do, study the facts and figures in front of them and make the best decisions they can. 

Board member Edwin Hiel also emphasized his respect and appreciation for the Chancellor's Cabinet members, and said the Board is pleased with their leadership and where they are taking the District.

President Bill Garrett closed the discussion, saying the Cabinet members' reaction to the Board’s vote in September came as a surprise to the trustees. Garrett, while noting he voted in favor of including the salary schedule, said he hopes the administrators understand the others' votes were not a vote against them, but that the Board majority wants more time for discussion on the item. He underscored the Board’s gratitude for the excellent administrative leadership throughout the District.

Cuyamaca College Student Trustee Kyrie Macogay reported on student activities at Cuyamaca College, including a campaign for DACA students called the Dreamers Project, which has its own website. The 20 th annual Wheelchair Basketball game will take place on October 25. A Dia De Los Muertos program is being planned.

Grossmont College Student Trustee Brandon Vivero described a variety of Latino Heritage Month activities on campus.

President Garrett reported on the moving presentation by artist Padre Johnson at the opening of the exhibit of his paintings “Global Human Family” donated to the Heritage of the Americas Museum, as well as the Grossmont College Culinary Arts Dinner and the Grossmont College Theater production “Love, Sex, and the I.R.S.” 
GCCCD
Governing Board

Bill Garrett
Edwin Hiel
Debbie Justeson
Greg Barr
Elena Adams

Student Trustees:
Kyrie Macogay
Brandon Vivero

Chancellor
Cindy L. Miles, Ph.D.

Grossmont College
President
Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, Ed.D.

Cuyamaca College President
Julianna Barnes, Ed.D.

Vice Chancellors
Tim Corcoran, Human Resources 
Sue Rearic, Business Services 
John Valencia,
Workforce and Organizational 
Development
Next Meeting

The Governing Board's next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Grossmont College's Griffin Center.

The open session will begin at 6:30 p.m. following closed session at 5 p.m.
Meeting agendas are posted on the District website and in the district and presidents' offices 72 hours before regular meetings and 24 hours before special meetings. 
8800 Grossmont College Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020 
(619) 644-7010
BOARD ACTIONS

Board members passed Item 201, Resolution 18-010 in Support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Students, as recommended by the Chancellor by a vote of 5-0. Student Trustees Macogay and Vivero cast advisory votes in favor. President Garrett said he doesn’t like making political statements, but was appalled this is even an issue.
           
Trustees passed Item 501 by a 5-0 vote. Trustee Justeson asked for clarification on changes in positions at Cuyamaca College. Dr. Barnes explained these allow for expanding the Tutoring Center and Student Services specialist positions from 11 to 12 months for better coverage.
 
With the exception of Items 201 and 501, all items on the Governing Board docket were approved by consent. The Governing Board: 
 
  • Heard public comments by Reverend Cheri Metier and Steven Rivera, Interfaith Center for Worker Justice in San Diego, and CSEA attorney Michael Breyette regarding longevity for classified employees.
  • Board President Garrett noted the District would be eager to resume negotiations on the matter of longevity with CSEA if they withdraw the Unfair Labor Practice charge filed against the District with the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), in keeping with the signed contract agreement.
  • Accepted a final status report on the 2016-2017 budget, and ratified budget transfers authorized by the Chancellor; granted authority to the Chancellor to approve any budget changes; approved purchase orders and warrants issued during September 2017; ratified signing of agreements and spending any proceeds.
  • Ratified the action of the Chancellor in authorizing agreements and grated authority to accept, budget, and spend any proceeds therefrom.
  • Granted authority to the Chancellor to renew the annual contract with the California Department of Education Child and Adult Food Care Program for the Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College Child Development Centers.
  • Approved the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District 2017-2018 Supplemental Funds.
  • Ratified the action of the Chancellor in obtaining permission from the County Superintendent of Schools to declare as an emergency the restoration and site preparation work for the placement of temporary housing as a result of water damage to the Learning Resource Center, and waive bidding requirements pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 20654; and entering into any contracts necessary to provide library and learning support services.
  • Approved annual revision to Facilities Bonds Funding Plan, as recommended by the Chancellor, and grant authority to accept, budget, and spend.
  • Approved the purchase of relocatable modular classroom and restroom buildings from Bid No. 2015-16-1A to American Modular Systems, Inc., by the Santa Rita Union School District and permitted by Public Contract Code 20652, and authorized the Chancellor to execute the necessary contract documents.
  • Granted authority to the Chancellor to award Bid B17.047, Cuyamaca College Phase 2 Exercise Science Building D Renovation and Student Center Audio Visual to the lowest responsive bidder meeting all terms, conditions, and specifications.
CHANCELLOR'S REPORT

Chancellor Cindy Miles expressed her support for the resolution before the Governing Board in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Students, or “Dreamers.” She noted that rescinding DACA is estimated to potentially reduce the national economy by $200 billion over the next ten years, and that arguments to support DACA are valid on a rational, fiscal, and humanitarian basis. 

Cuyamaca College President Dr. Julianne Barnes and Grossmont College President Dr. Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh discussed efforts on both campuses to support DACA students, including communication about resources available to offset DACA renewal fees.
Chancellor Miles announced the inaugural Bill and Judy Garrett Civic Leadership Award that was established at the Annual Chancellor’s Circle Dinner, and she thanked the Garretts for their gifts of time, talent, and resources.

Chancellor Miles congratulated Myra Lomahan and Rosie Ibarra on their recent promotions, and thanked both for their service to the Governing Board.

Chancellor Miles requested the following reports: 

The Governing Board heard an update on services for veterans being provided at Cuyamaca College and Grossmont College. Cuyamaca Veterans Counselor Osvaldo Torres and Grossmont Veterans Maria Martinez described the student services offered, including a welcoming environment fostering fellowship among the veterans, study space, tutoring, textbook and calculator loan programs, and workshops on career decision making, financial aid, and transfer readiness. Leaders at both campuses are working to accelerate plans for expanding veterans support facilities.

Vice Chancellor District Services Sue Rearic provided an overview of the Adoption Budget, item 306 on the docket. Due to delays related to transitioning to a new fiscal system, all Supplemental Funds including capital projects, student center funds, and the employee benefit trust fund are included in this package to complete the Adoption Budget for 2017-2018.
 
Rearic introduced GAFCON project manager Fred Parker , who reviewed progress on the District’s major construction initiatives on both campuses, and presented an overview of energy conservation measures as part of the semi-annual Facilities Construction Update.
 
  • Construction will begin in spring 2018 on the Grossmont College Science, Math, and Career Technology Complex. The Performing and Visual Arts Center will hold its groundbreaking ceremony on October 27, and construction is scheduled to begin on November 6.
 
  • At Cuyamaca College, the Ornamental Horticulture Complex is transitioning into the design-development phase and the new Student Services & Administration Building is moving into the schematic design phase, with construction anticipated in 2020.
 
  • The District’s Energy Conservation measures are in the fourth year of a five-year program. The initiative will be fully implemented and completed by summer 2018. 

STAFF NOTES
Welcome to new employees Derek Bertram, Specialty Lab Technician, Grossmont College; Andrea Dyal, Nursing/Medical-Surgical Instructor, Grossmont College; Cheryl Kerns, Master Class Scheduler, Grossmont College; Alexander Neu, Learning and Technology Resource Center Supervisor, Grossmont College; and Melanie Roberts, Child Development Center Coordinator, Cuyamaca College.
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