Board Highlights
from the January 8, 2019 meeting
Joint Board presentation details success of San Jose City College Milpitas Extension
During a Special Joint Board Meeting with the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District (SJECCD) Governing Board, staff from both districts gave a presentation about 2018 accomplishments and activities that have taken place at the San Jose City College Milpitas Extension, located on Escuela Parkway.

SJECCD Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland kicked off the meeting with a brief introduction. "It feels like just yesterday it was just a pile of dirt." The extension, which opened in 2017, was a dream that had been in the works since 2004. MUSD Superintendent Cheryl Jordan also shared opening remarks, saying she was happy to see the work of so many people that came before them and is excited that it is actively building pathways for all students.

Michael Mooney, Director of the Milpitas Extension, and Norma Rodriguez, MUSD Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Development, led the presentation, alongside Michael Castro, Enrollment Coordinator for the Milpitas Extension; Ben Grainger, Academic Counselor for the Milpitas Extension; Jasmine Pham, Senior Administrative Assistant for the Milpitas Extension; Scott Aikre, English teacher for the Milpitas Extension; Francis Rojas, Milpitas High School Principal; and Frank Valdez, MHS and SJCC student.

Mooney said being involved in the extension "is one of the most wonderful things I've done in my life. ... We found a culture of we when we built the extension."

The group shared the positive results that have been achieved together so far during the 2017-18 school year for the three populations they serve: college students, MUSD students, and the community.

For MUSD specifically, there were four morning high school classes housed at the extension. To date, more than 400 Milpitas High School students have taken a dual enrollment class at the extension, which allows them to earn credit for both high school and college. The extension has also hosted 23 MUSD events, and many very impactful parent nights.
During the Summer 2018 semester, 188 of 206 students (91 percent) earned a C or better with the most common grade being an A.

"That success rate is no accident," Rodriguez said, noting motivated students, great faculty, and an Early Alert process between the instructors and academic counselors made it possible.

This school year, the number of sections, head count, seat count, and students has grown incrementally. Grainger said he would expect the course offerings to grow more, however it is limited by the fact there are only eight classrooms.

A highlight of the presentation was when student Valdez shared his experience with both dual and concurrent enrollment at the extension.

"San Jose City College gave me a new path to my future," he said. Prior to enrolling in dual enrollment courses, Valdez said he was a "bad" student, but being at the extension allowed him to "bridge the gap between success and failure." He thanked Trustees for making the extension possible, which has given him and other students a second chance.

"This is what happens when a community truly puts students first," Dr. Breland said at the end of the meeting. "Frank, thank you for sharing what this work is all about... from cradle to career."

Jordan added: "I just want to say how thankful I am for a room full of visionaries. ... Thanks for not putting boxes around us."
  
RECOGNITIONS
Trustees honor staff involved in San Jose City College dual enrollment summer programs
Superintendent Jordan and the Board of Education recognized staff from the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District for their involvement in ensuring successful San Jose City College dual enrollment summer programs last year at the San Jose City College Milpitas Extension on Escuela Parkway.

"If it weren't for Michael Mooney and Michael Castro and staff working along with ours, we wouldn't have had such a successful summer program expansion," Jordan said. "So I wanted to take this time to recognize them for all that they do ... and thank them for their partnership."
Rotary Club honored for $10,000 donation
Superintendent Jordan and Trustees honored Larry Ciardella, President of the Rotary Club of Milpitas, and other members of the organization, which donated $10,000 for Calaveras Hills High School's FLY program.

Ciardella said the fundraisers that are held in the community are a joint effort of various service organizations, including Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club Members, and Lions Club.

"I'd like to thank the community for coming out," he said.
ACTION ITEMS
Trustees approve painting, paving as first of Bond Measure AA projects this summer
With the passage of the $284 million Bond Measure AA in the November election, Wendy Zhang, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, said District staff is ready to kick off the first of many facilities projects this summer. At Tuesday's meeting, Trustees passed two action items that came forward in preparation of the work.

The first was to approve Pavement Engineering, Inc. (PEI) for the 2019 summer paving project at the Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation site; Pomeroy, Rose, and Sinnott elementary schools; and Thomas Russell Middle School. Troy Sisneros, Senior Engineering Technician and Principal for PEI, introduced himself during the meeting to Trustees and shared an overview of his company, which the District has worked with before, and the potential timeline. He said PEI plans to go out to bid as early as February, far before the summertime hits, to get the "desirable outcome," a reasonable rate, and to finish the projects before the new school year starts. Zhang said the $110,000 project, which will be paid from Bond Fund 213, will complete the majority of paving work throughout the district. The remaining sites will need approval from the Division of the State Architect before they proceed.
The second item that Trustees approved was with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) for the 2019 summer exterior paint project at the Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation site; Milpitas High School; and Pomeroy, Burnett, and Curtner elementary schools. These sites were not painted from the 2012 Bond, and are expected to be completed before the new school year. Zhang said the company is a part of the pool of architect firms that was approved at the last Board Meeting, and it is the first time the District has worked with them. Steven Kwok, Partner of the company, introduced himself during the meeting and spoke about the organization in addition to introducing Associate Kevin Chapin, who will be the project manager. Founded in 1986, QKA has a specific commitment to educational design, and has provided design services for approximately 1,700 public education projects totaling $2 billion in work, Kwok said. The cost of the project will total $65,000 in fees with $3,500 reimbursables from Bond Fund 213. With such a focus on education, Superintendent Jordan asked if the company offers internships for students to which Kwok replied yes and that it is something the company is really excited about. Jordan said another position is being considered as part of the Bond Department team in order to keep goals like the possibility of internships on track.