Rancho Santiago Community College District DISTRICT COUNCIL MINUTES S

rancho santiago community college district district council minutes s members: morrie barembaum present john didion absent (jud

Rancho Santiago Community College District DISTRICT COUNCIL
MINUTES
S
Members: Morrie Barembaum Present
John Didion Absent (Judy Chitlik present)
Peter Hardash Present
Eddie Hernandez, Jr. Present
John Zarske Present
Erlinda Martinez Present
Marti Reiter Absent (Ricardo Foreman present)
Juan Vazquez Present
Laurie Weidner Present
eptember 14, 2009
1.
Participatory Governance Items
No items were submitted for action or discussion.
2.
Review of board docket
Dr. Hernandez reviewed the board agenda. Budget will be the main topic
of discussion at this meeting and through October when the adopted
budget will be approved. Of note during tonight’s meeting will be a
presentation by CSEA regarding the budget and proposed budget
reductions.
The board has also placed closed session on the agenda. The board will
discuss the best time to hold closed session. Dr. Hernandez will
recommend they hold this discussion during their organizational
meeting in December.
3.
Budget
Mr. Hardash distributed copies of the presentation he’ll make to the
board. He indicated a $100 million cut statewide equals $2.4 million
for RSCCD.
Dr. Hernandez indicated he has not approved all the proposed
reductions.
4.
Reports
a.
Academic Senate/SAC: John Zarske indicated the senate passed a
motion at its last meeting which also passed through the
budget committee and college council suggesting a cost-saving
measure by not replacing the chancellor for one year. He
District Council
September 14, 2009
Minutes
Page 2
indicated the senate also discussed concern regarding automatic
replacement of some positions in the district, i.e., vice presidents,
etc.
Dr. Hernandez indicated positions are not “automatically replaced.”
When positions are filled, they are filled with his approval and after
much thought. The process by which a position is filled or not filled
is a difficult one. He added that RSCCD is the most efficient district
in the state when comparing numbers of staff to numbers of students
and that other districts in the state are not nearly as prepared for
the current budget situation as RSCCD is thanks to early planning and
action.
Dr. Hernandez stated that the colleges have good advocates in their
college presidents and that he and his leadership team focus on
students in every budget decision. He pointed out that not one
full-time faculty member has been targeted for reduction. The last RIF
list of 170 included 25 classified and five managers. The other 140
were part-time classified. Dr. Hernandez mentioned the assistant vice
chancellor position in the district facilities/planning area that has
been vacant for 18 months. It hasn’t been filled, although the
position is important and necessary.
Dr. Hernandez discussed his frustration with employee groups and sites
looking at each other to find budget reductions or to find fault with
reductions that have already taken place. He indicated it is a time to
focus on the needs of students, but tough decisions still need to be
made.
Regarding replacement of the chancellor, Dr. Hernandez warned against
moving toward not replacing him. He indicated an incoming chancellor
will believe employee groups do not believe a chancellor is
wanted/needed. He added that when tough decisions need to be made,
there may not be anyone who will step up to make them, especially if
the decision(s) may have a negative impact on his/her area.
Mr. Zarske indicated the senate established its goals for the year and
is discussion AB1725 academic and professional matters.
b.
Academic Senate/SCC: Mr. Barembaum indicated the first meeting
of the senate since May is tomorrow. He indicated the senate
had a motion similar to that of SAC’s senate regarding
replacement of the chancellor. He added, concerning replacing
positions, that he heard John Hernandez will take over the
duties of Mary Halvorson when she retires. Dr. Hernandez
indicated that proposal has not been submitted to him, and he
has not approved that. Mr. Barembaum asked about the two
positions being advertised internally in the research area.
Dr. Hernandez and
September 14, 2009
District Council
Minutes
Page 3
Ms. Chitlik described effects of classified staff working out of class
and contract language prohibiting that. Ms. Chitlik indicated that if
these two positions are filled, the two they vacated will be
eliminated, creating a cost savings.
Ms. Chitlik added that the management team has been reduced by 25% (of
a team that was already cost effective).
c.
CSEA: Mr. Foreman had no report. Dr. Hernandez asked about an
e-mail he received a copy of that stated there were 105
lay-offs. He questioned that number, and Mr. Foreman agreed it
is probably an incorrect number. Dr. Hernandez also questioned
a statement indicating the district was unwilling to entertain
cost-saving measures introduced by CSEA. He explained he had
never been given any such proposal from CSEA and wondered how
the writer of the memo came to the conclusion the district was
unwilling to discuss any such proposal. Mr. Foreman stated
CSEA was trying to find a way to save jobs, and Dr. Hernandez
agreed, stating that is the union’s job.
d.
BAPRC: Mr. Hardash indicated the next meeting of the Budget
and Planning Resource Committee is scheduled on September 23
at 1:30 p.m. in Room #114 (DO). Discussion will include
categorical reductions and budget assumptions.
e.
HRC: no report.