April 2024

Grossmont College Student Trustee Cesar Nuñez reported on a Resource Fair at Grossmont College that included over 25 companies as well as the San Diego Financial Literacy Center, the Chicano Federation and 211 service representatives. He said health and wellness vending machines have been added that provide contraceptive and feminine hygiene products being sold at cost. Nuñez said a Sustainability Fair will be taking place on April 23.

Cuyamaca College Student Trustee Courtney Entyre said she traveled to Santa Clara for the Student Senate, where resolutions related to advocacy and government were debated.

Trustee Desiree Klaar traveled to Texas to see the total solar eclipse and toured the University of Texas campus in Austin. She said she was shocked to learn that diversity, equity and inclusion programs have been discontinued there.

Trustee Brad Monroe, who attended the meeting via Zoom from London, had no report.

Board Clerk Elena Adams praised the work of the San Diego Center for Economic Education, noting the workshops they host to improve financial literacy. She applauded the Village at Grossmont College, which allows students to find many services in one place.

Board Vice President Julie Schorr attended a performance of Lost Girl at the Stagehouse Theatre, and said it was a wonderful performance with dedicated actors. She also attended a reception at the Hyde Art Gallery. Schorr said she also attended a meeting of the DEIA Ad Hoc Committee, which is continuing to look at the District’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan.

Board President Debbie Justeson congratulated Cuyamaca College for its recognition for reducing fire dangers by using goats to reduce the vegetation. She also congratulated Cuyamaca College student Claudette Clark, who was selected for a Board of Governors Leadership Award by the California Community College Board of Governors.

Justeson noted that UMOJA students at Grossmont College toured historically black colleges during spring break. Those trips can be powerful, she said, noting that Helix High School students tour colleges and hear from graduates who now attend the schools. 

BOARD ACTIONS

At its April 16 meeting, the Governing Board:

• Heard public comment from Elizabeth Parmann, Anna Tongue, and World Languages Instructor Astrid Ronke about plans to discontinue intermediate and upper level language classes in the World Languages department. The students presented a petition signed by more than 270 people urging the District to continue the classes.
• Heard public comment from Michael Stewart, an instructor in the Grossmont College Administration of Justice Department, who said zero cost textbooks are a way to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, and the colleges should ensure that they are being utilized.
• Heard public comment from Jim Mahler, President of AFT Local 1931, who recapped some of the amendments being proposed in AFT’s contract, and stated that AFT is ready to begin negotiations.
• Voted for seven candidates for the California Community College Trustees Board of Directors, including GCCCD’s own Trustee Julie Schorr.
• Approved new and revised non-mandatory fees.
• Approved a new health service fee.
• Approved course, certificate, and degree changes for Cuyamaca College.
• Approved purchase orders, warrants, and signatures on agreements.
• Approved budget status changes.
• Approved travel to Arizona, Utah, and Nevada for earth science students.
• Approved reducing retention to zero for the Grossmont College boiler buildings and the storage tank/water heater replacement based on the contractor’s performance and near completion of work.
• Approved awarding a contract to M.A. Stevens Construction, Inc., for the replacement of HVAC ducting and wood flooring repair in Building 42 at Grossmont College.
• Approved a notice of completion and release of retention for a scheduled maintenance site work project at Cuyamaca College.
• Approved a notice of completion and release of retention for campus-wide water heater replacement at Grossmont College.
• Approved an announcement of proposal and public response for the American Federation of Teachers initial salary proposal for successor negotiations.
• Approved personnel actions.
• Approved a tentative agreement between the District and the California School Employees Association Chapter #707.

8800 Grossmont College Drive

El Cajon, CA 92020 

(619) 644-7010