San Diego Community College District

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the governing boards of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) and the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) held their 12th annual joint meeting at San Diego City College in the Saville Theatre. 

SDCCD Trustees Bernie Rhinerson (President), Geysil Arroyo, Mary Graham, Craig Milgrim, Maria Nieto Senour, Student Trustees Saigeldeep Ghotra, Diego Bethea, Adriana Dos Santos, and Chancellor Gregory Smith, and SDUSD Board of Education Members Shana Hazan (President), Richard Barrera, Sabrina Bazzo, Cody Petterson, Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Student Board members Blessyn Lavender Williams and Matthew Quitoriano, and Superintendent Lamont Jackson. Following welcome remarks from San Diego City College President Ricky Shabazz, along with City College Alumni Angel Sanchez, SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith and SDUSD Superintendent Lamont Jackson began the public meeting which was conducted in the form of a presentation followed by a discussion.

Below are highlights from each section of the presentation. The following topics were presented by SDCCD Vice Chancellor Susan Topham, Deans Andrew “Luke” Menchaca and Catherine Shafer; faculty members Kenny Heifner, Mark Manasse, Laurie Iunker, and Mary Kjartanson; SDUSD Instructional Support Officer Jennifer Roberson and Resource Teacher Candice Fee; and students Alex Salvador, Shalom Tekeste, Jackie De Anda, Alex Dadi, Josh Oropreza, and Ashley Locia.

• Overview and Context Setting. The presentation kicked off with a summary of the commitments of the Joint Partnership Committee and the 2022-2027 Joint Board Goals. Data insights were then conveyed using the Post-secondary Engagement Score Card, offering updates on the San Diego Promise program, Concurrent Enrollment, CTE Articulation Credit by Exam, and College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP). Among the 10 indicators assessed, six indicated positive progress, three showed mixed progress, and one highlighted challenges.
• SDCCD/SDUSD Partnership Presentations. SDCCD’s City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges each presented their partnership strategies and activities with SDUSD to increase awareness for parents and students on post-secondary pathways. They shared highlights of key example pathways or program partnerships that increase SDUSD student access to early college credit and post-secondary engagement. Slides are available here under item 4.01..
• Update on San Diego Promise. SDCCD reported on efforts to reach SDUSD students and parents regarding opportunities with the San Diego Promise, including that it now offers translation services during these information sessions. Information regarding San Diego Promise enrollment and retention also was shared from the Post-secondary Engagement Score Card. Finally, opinions were presented on how collaboration can begin early to ensure students are enrolled for fall courses at SDCCD ahead of high school graduation.
• Early College Credit. SDUSD students shared experiences with early college credit opportunities in the College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) Program, Fast Track, and Concurrent Enrollment courses on SDCCD campuses. The students discussed how these programs and classes empower them to get a head start on college, allowing them to begin their college journey before high school graduation.

Update on Legislation and Advocacy. SDUSD Superintendent Lamont Jackson and SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith each shared key legislation, all endorsed by both boards. Legislation included:

SDUSD

• SB 895 (Roth)/AB 2104 (Soria) would allow a pilot program of 15 community college districts statewide to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
• Noncredit Education Reform package is a series of reforms that the SDCCD and others are proposing to expand the capacity of noncredit education to offer adult learners equitable access to education that leads to economic mobility.

SDCCD

• AB 247 (Muratsuchi) would place a statewide $14 billion facilities bond on the 2024 ballot to support the construction and modernization of school facilities at TK-12 public schools and community colleges.
• AB 2112 (Muratsuchi) would stabilize funding for expanded learning opportunities in elementary school districts.

Goals for the Future

Recommendations were shared with both Boards on adopting new Joint 3-Year S.M.A.R.T. Student Outcome Goals. Board members discussed and shared overall comments regarding the proposed goals. They committed to the concept of the goals, but asked for some changes and approved allowing the Joint Partnership Committee two months to provide revisions to the goals for each Board to approve at its respective June 2024 Board Meeting.

The Boards expressed appreciation to the presenters and celebrated the increased student voice throughout the presentation as well as the progress made on key goals.