March 2024

Cuyamaca College Student Trustee Courtney Entyre spoke about her upcoming participation in the Student Senate for California Community Colleges General Assembly in Santa Clara. Trustee Entyre noted the Governing Board’s visit to the Heritage of the Americas Museum before the meeting and took time to recite an excerpt of a poem she read at the museum. Student Trustee Entyre encouraged the community to visit the museum and noted the museum's representation of local history and people including the Kumeyaay and Maya.  

Grossmont College Student Trustee Cesar Nuñez began his report by acknowledging Women’s History Month. He also highlighted recent events at Grossmont College including the Lunar New Year Celebration, Random Acts of Kindness events, club rush, and more. He noted that Grossmont College now has more than 50 student clubs and organizations this spring semester and celebrated the collaboration the Associated Students of Grossmont College has created with many departments. 

Trustee Desiree Klaar spoke about the grand opening of Building 36 at Grossmont College. Trustee Klarr said she was impressed with the beautiful location of the building and the open view of Mission Trails it creates for the campus community and the students. She also highlighted a recent candidate presentation by Vice President Schorr during the California Community College Trustees (CCCT) Candidate Forum on March 10. Trustee Klaar said she was honored to serve on the Board with Vice President Schorr, and wished her well in the upcoming election. Trustee Klarr also spoke about her visit to the Water Conservation Garden with her grandson and her tour of the Musuem of the Americas. Klarr noted that both the garden and the museum are incredible attractions for the local community.  

Trustee Brad Monroe highlighted Women’s History Month and congratulated the women leaders of the District, including those on the board, the Chancellor, both college presidents and other women college leaders. He said it was truly an honor to serve them. Trustee Monroe highlighted other events throughout the District, including the Explore 2024 Cuyamaca Symposium and the Building 36 grand opening. Trustee Monroe said he was very pleased to read about Grossmont College’s Evening Convocation held for the evening classified professionals.  

Board Clerk Elena Adams also celebrated the Building 36 grand opening and highlighted the guests including current and former faculty in attendance. Clerk Adams spoke about the Board Ad Hoc Committee on Career Education to discuss programs at both Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. Clerk Adams also congratulated Vice President Schorr for her candidate presentation at the CCCT forum. 

Vice President Julie Schorr expressed concern for the layoffs affecting local high school districts in the region. She underscored the commitment the District has put on fiscal responsibility to brace for difficult budget years at the District. Vice President Schorr also celebrated the grand opening of Building 36 and called the event fantastic and inspirational. Vice President Schorr attended the Board’s Ad Hoc Facilities and Construction Committee and was updated on the District’s solar power initiatives. Vice President Schorr attended a Culinary Arts Fine Dining Series at Grossmont College as well as a Griffin Community Concert at the Performing & Visual Arts Center. Vice President Schorr said she was impressed with the talents of the culinary students and the performers, and said she was encouraging her friends to attend the events at Grossmont College. Vice President Schorr congratulated Chancellor Neault on her award from the East County Chamber as Business and Education Person of the Year. 

Board President Debbie Justeson highlighted the museum tour and gave more information encouraging more of the campus community to engage with the museum. President Justeson said she was proud of having the museum on the Cuyamaca College property and was hoping to see integration of Cuyamaca curriculum with the museum's exhibits and displays. She also noted that the museum has a meeting space and asked people to consider hosting their meetings at the museum. President Justeson praised the Parent Music Advocacy Group event at Cuyamaca College and stressed the importance of music education and bringing high school students to Cuyamaca College. President Justeson also congratulated Chancellor Neault on her recent award from the East County Chamber. She acknowledged Dr. Neault’s leadership and service to the East County Community, including her forward-thinking vision and her expertise on career education. 

BOARD ACTIONS

At its March 12 meeting, the Governing Board: 

• Approved the minutes of the February 13, 2024, Governing Board regular meeting. 

• Updated Board Policy 4101, Independent Study; Board Policy 4102, Career and Technical Education Programs; and Board Policy 5075, Course Adds and Drops.  

• Approved course, certificate, degree changes, and distance education for Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges.  

• Approved the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar. 

• Held a public hearing on whether to amend the existing energy service contracts with ForeFront Power. There was no comment from the public.  

• Approved a resolution making findings on energy savings and other matters in connection with Energy Service Agreements.  

• Approved the establishment of fees to be charged for the Electrical Vehicle charging stations at Grossmont and Cuyamaca College campuses. 

• Approved the ratification of signatures on agreements and authorization to sign contracts and purchase orders. 

• Approved the ratification of purchase orders and warrants.  

• Approved authorization to sign contracts and purchase orders.  

• Approved budget status changes.  

• Approved a plan for Education Protection Act expenditures.  

• Received information on the completion of emergency repairs for the Grossmont College chiller plant. 

• Received an update on work underway for flooding repairs at Cuyamaca College.  

• Approved personnel actions.  

• Recommended Chemene Chodur for the California Community Colleges Classified Employee of the Year Awards Program. Chodur has been an Information Systems Business Analyst since 2022, and previously worked in the Human Resources Department for 25 years. 

• The Board took no action on a resolution from the public to terminate the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for employees. Trustee Monroe noted the Board had already acted on the vaccination requirement for employees. 

8800 Grossmont College Drive

El Cajon, CA 92020 

(619) 644-7010