Special Board Meeting Last Night

Last night there was a special Board meeting studying the Budget and the Presidential Search Process.
During open communication, two persons spoke. A representative of the CSEA spoke, and I spoke for my self. I said the following:

My name is Mike Javanmard and I am a Faculty member at Rio Hondo College. I am speaking for myself and do not represent any group on campus. Although I am a faculty member, I am here to declare that I stand united with the classified staff at Rio Hondo. Without the Janitors our classrooms would not be be a suitable place for learning. Without the grounds and mechanical staff important infrastructure would crumble around us. Without the classified staff in Admission and record, Financial Aid our students would not be able to sign up for classes taught by the faculty. Please consider this as you are making the tough decisions.

  Our Interim President informed the Board that we need to cut $7 million. We will cut 1500 FTES about 500 sections for a saving of $2.3 million.  That leaves another $5million for a cost cutting task force to come up with . There was a discussion as to the make up of this task force. Teresa reported the last cost cutting task force recommendations were.. (I could not hear her)
She would like to see a smaller task force consisting of 3 classified members, 3 faculty, 3 managers, the VP and one student. These members will have to commit to attending all the meetings and will not be allowed to miss a meeting.
The Board President Ms. Norma Garcia asked for Board members to report their top priority so the cost cutting task force will have some direction. Her top priority was the partnership programs and wanted to protect these programs.  Trustee Gary Mendez argued that "we can not have any sacred cows." This was followed by a tense debate between the two.
Finally, I was truly impressed by Trustee Vicky Santana when she asked for figures and asked for time to consider the various choices and think about this request by the Board President to prioritize.  Trustee Shapiro echoed the same sentiment.
"Time to  consider and think!"  I was impressed by Ms. Santana. Bravo!!
The topic switched to the presidential search process. At this point I left the room and can not report on it. 
  

RIO HONDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Special Meeting, Monday, July 16, 2012, 6:30 p.m.

3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 

AGENDA

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

            A.        Call to Order (6:30 p.m.)

B.        Pledge of Allegiance

            C.        Roll Call

            D.        Open Communication for Public Comment

Persons wishing to address the Board of Trustees on any item on the agenda, or any other matter, are invited to do so at this time.  Pursuant to the Brown Act, the Board cannot discuss or take action on items not listed on the agenda.  Matters brought before the Board that are not on the agenda may, at the Board’s discretion, be referred to staff or placed on the next agenda.

Persons wishing to make comments are allowed three minutes per topic; thirty minutes shall be the maximum time allotment for public speakers on any one subject regardless of the number of speakers at any one board meeting.

            E.         Study Session

·         Discussion on the Budget

·         Presidential Search Process

II.         CLOSED SESSION

Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 59328-59338: Administrative Determination implementation from Discrimination Complaint

Pursuant to Section 54957

·         PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE / DISMISSAL / RELEASE

III.        ADJOURNMENT

Date of Next Regular Meeting: Wednesday, August 8, 2012, 6:00 p.m. (Rio Hondo College, Board Room, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier)