San Diego Community College District

Special report to the public:

Trustee Mary Graham expressed her gratitude for a more positive national climate to start the year and that she looks forward to safely reopening the campuses and the District as soon as it is safe to do so. She reported that she has been working with Trustee Bernie Rhinerson, as well as a group of campus and community members, as part of the Chancellor Search Committee. The committee, which she thanked for its work, has provided candidate recommendations to the Board; an announcement about the finalists will be forthcoming and the week of February 22 is set aside for open public forums with opportunities for input, which are consistent with the Board’s commitment to a public and transparent search process.

Trustee Craig Milgrim reported that he continues to meet regularly to advocate for the Office of Child and Youth Success in the City of San Diego. He also continued his work with the Mayor’s group on childcare and education, and discussed getting ready for the summer and the possibility of students’ returning to classrooms. Trustee Milgrim reported that the Community College League of California Committee’s on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, on which he serves, is nearing completion and will make a report soon to the State Chancellor’s Office. He also emphasized the importance of voting and encouraged everyone to do so.

Trustee Bernie Rhinerson said that after a year of virtual events, he’s looking forward to being able meet with students, faculty, classified professionals, and administrators in person again. He noted that he received the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine last week. He reported that he attended the Community College League of California (CCLC) Legislative (virtual) Conference January 25-26, and that after serving for four years as Chairman of the CCLC Advisory Committee on Legislation, he turned over the gavel to Dr. Judy Miner, Chancellor of Foothill-De Anza Community College District (though he will remain on the committee), and he also participated in multiple sessions, including a compelling session featuring students talking about the impact of the pandemic on their ability to learn. Trustee Rhinerson said he is looking forward to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) virtual National Legislative Summit being held February 8-10, and will continue his service on the ACCT Board and with the Public Policy Committee. He is also serving on the Search Committee for the next ACCT CEO. Trustee Rhinerson congratulated San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten on her nomination as the next Deputy U.S. Education Secretary.

Trustee Maria Nieto Senour noted how much has happened since the December Board Meeting, including a new President of the United States, the storming of the Capitol Building, and within the District the search for a new Trustee and a new Chancellor. She thanked everyone for their continued work in making the District so great, and said there will be a lot more to be done once classes resume.

Chancellor Constance Carroll reported on the recent Community College League of California Legislative (virtual) Conference during which she, a number of SDCCD trustees, and others from the San Diego and Imperial Counties region met with legislators to discuss priorities. The legislators included: Senators: Brian Jones, aides to Senator Toni Atkins (Megan Baier and Jason Weisz), an aide to Senator Ben Hueso (Aaron Brieno), and Senator Pat Bates. Assemblymembers: Lorena Gonzalez, Tasha Boerner Horvath, Randy Voepel, Eduardo Garcia and Brian Maienschein. Topics included: increasing the base budget for community colleges; improving funding to support equity, diversity, and inclusion; and moving ahead with the expansion of baccalaureate programs. Assemblyman Jose Medina announced that his bill to expand the baccalaureate option would be filed soon. Chancellor Carroll also reported that enrollment is stable and on-track and that the SDCCD College Police Review Task Force was making progress and has already developed some preliminary recommendations that will be discussed soon.

Student Trustee Taylor Carpenter reported that she and other students are eagerly awaiting the start of the spring semester, despite the continued unknowns of the pandemic. She also said that she is looking forward to widespread distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine so the District can safely re-open, and that until that time she will continue to support her fellow students via online platforms.

BOARD ACTIONS

At its regular meeting of January 28, 2021, which was conducted in a virtual format, the Board of Trustees:

- Heard public comments from two people regarding the interview process for filling the vacant area E seat on the Board of Trustees; and from seven people regarding the closure of the Child Development Lab Centers throughout the District. The new City College Academic Senate (AS) President Masahiro “Masa” Omae reported that he has assumed the position effective this semester following former AS president Paul Alexander, and that the college was off to a strong start for the Spring Semester. He concluded by expressing his appreciation to the Board for the opportunity to participate. Mesa College AS President Manuel Velez said that the college’s spring convocation was excellent. He highlighted the work of two task forces at the college including the Mesa College Ethnic Studies Task Force as well as a task force working on recommendations associated with the California Community Colleges’ “Call to Action.” He welcomed AS President Omae and expressed his appreciation to former President Alexander for his many contributions.

- Reviewed the applications for the Board of Trustees Area E seat, and, following a lengthy discussion, approved all five candidates who met the criteria to be interviewed during a special Board of Trustees meeting to be held February 4 (1 p.m.). One candidate was eliminated because she did not live in Area E. They invited public comments on this process and on the candidates, encouraging people to send their comments to: boardoffice@sdccd.edu. The Board will hold another special meeting on February 8 (4 p.m.) to make the selection and the final candidate will be sworn in on February 11.

- Accepted the District’s 2019-2020 Independent Auditor’s Reports, which were conducted by accounting firm CliftonLarsonAllen. Audit reports for the five major funds in the District were provided: General Fund, Proposition S Fund, Proposition N Fund, the SDCC Auxiliary Organization, and the Social Security Alternative Plan. The Board’s Budget Study and Audit Subcommittee (Trustees Bernie Rhinerson and Craig Milgrim) had reviewed the audits in depth with Executive Vice Chancellor Bonnie Dowd and Chancellor Constance Carroll prior to the meeting. Auditors Renee Graves and Syed Farhan addressed the Board regarding the audits.  The audits were unmodified, and several findings were identified.

- Approved new or revised courses and programs following comments by Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Susan Topham.

- Heard a report from Propositions S and N Citizens’ Oversight Committee (COC) Chair Jane Gawronski, and COC members Linda Zintz, and Leslie Bruce on the 2020 Annual Report for Propositions S and N; and from Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Gregory Smith on the Leadership Development Academy Participation Analysis.

- Authorized agreements with health care agencies for use of clinical facilities by students enrolled in District health occupations programs; with childcare facilities for the placement of students enrolled in Child Development (CHIL) 275 throughout the District during the 2020-2021 fiscal year; and a subcontract agreement with the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges in support of the Strong Workforce College-Based Marketing at Mesa College.

- Acknowledged the physical closures of the City, Mesa, and Miramar College Child Development Lab Centers during the 2020-21 academic year as they relate to contracts with the California State Preschool (CSPP) and General Child Care and Development (CCTR).

- Accepted a grant from the National Institutes of Health for the City College Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award program; from Rancho Santiago Community College District and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) Workforce and Economic Development Division for the Regional Director for Advanced Transportation and Logistics (ATL) at Miramar College; from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for Activating the Humanities in the 21st Century: Phase II of the Collaborative Path for Transfer Students from Community College to Research University and beyond with UC San Diego and the San Diego Community College District; from the CCCCO for Districtwide Dream Resource Liaison Support; and from the California Department of Education for the operation of Districtwide Child Development Centers.

- Approved various personnel actions including the certification of short-term personnel service effective on or after January 29, 2020; approved a rate of 56-cents per mile reimbursement to employees for use of their personal cars for travel on District business; and purchase orders prepared during the months of November and December.