Ben Britten

Key discussions and actions included presentations on the development of the Educational Master Plan and the Facilities Master Plan. The Consent Agenda covered the approval of the Register of Warrants (including supplemental and regular payrolls), authorization to declare district property as surplus for auction, acceptance of donations (a Sirona Cerec unit and an Epson printer), faculty appointments and equivalency certifications, and approvals related to various employee appointments and coaching stipends. Action items addressed the acceptance of grants, curriculum changes, approval of out-of-state travel for a conference, change orders for construction projects (One Stop Student Services Center and Building D Repairs & Upgrades), authorization to solicit bids for parking lot renovation and signage projects, approval of a change order for the Industrial Technology and Physical Education/Athletic Fields project, authorization to submit a funding application for Proposition 39 Energy Conservation, a public hearing on contract reopeners with the California Federation of Teachers/Part-Time Faculty Association, ratification of an agreement with the California School Employees Association for contract reopeners, approval of a summer four-day workweek schedule, approval of a new academic management job description, appointment of an interim associate dean, and approval of a change order for the Public Safety Complex. Information items included a presentation on the 2014-15 Proposed State Budget, a report on submitted grant proposals, an overview of bonded winery permit requirements, reports on resignations and retirements, negotiation process information, and status reports on Bond Measure I projects and the District Monthly Financial Report.

The Regular Board Meeting agenda commenced with a Closed Session starting at 4:30 PM, which included conference with a labor negotiator concerning the Faculty Association, Part-Time Faculty Association, Unrepresented Employees (Management and Supervisory/Confidential), and the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter #251. The Closed Session also addressed discipline/dismissal/release of a public employee and potential litigation (2 cases). The session reconvened to Open Session at 6:00 PM. Key actions during the open session included approvals under the Consent Agenda, such as the Register of Warrants totaling over $6 million, acceptance of a donated golf cart, authorization to declare surplus property (including a simulation mannequin for trade-in), approval of faculty appointments, overload assignments, special stipends, sabbatical leave requests for three faculty members for 2015-2016, approval of new fee-based community services courses, and the adoption of revised Board Policies 4021 (Program Vitality) and 6750 (Parking and Traffic Control). Action items also covered personnel changes, including the appointment of a financial aid specialist/counseling assistant and the appointment of a new director for law enforcement training. The Board also addressed the adoption of resolutions regarding Classified School Employees Week and sustainable funding for High Cost Career Technical Education Programs. Further action items involved setting future meeting dates and locations, endorsing a nominee for the Community College Classified Employee of the Year Award, considering privileges for the Student Trustee, adopting revisions to the 2014-2015 budget, providing time for public comment on a Faculty Association contract reopener proposal, approving salary schedule changes for confidential/supervisory and management employees, and approving the reappointment of a tenure-track faculty member for tenure.

The Regular Board Meeting agenda included several key items. Business included approval of the agenda and the minutes from the May 1, 2013 special board meeting. Consent agenda items involved the approval of the Register of Warrants for May 2013 payrolls and commercial warrants totaling over $10.5 million across multiple funds. Other consent actions included authorizing the disposal of surplus district property, approving various faculty appointments (part-time, overload, special assignments, equivalency certifications, short-term/substitute appointments), approving an interim appointment continuation for the Superintendent/President, approving appointments/reappointments for classified management, approving tenure-track and nontenure-track faculty appointments, approving appointments/transfers/promotions for confidential and classified employees, approving temporary out-of-classification and summer assignments for classified employees, considering reclassification of classified bargaining unit positions, and adopting second readings for revised Board Policies (7930 Program Review, 7110 Selection of Library Materials, and 8050 Gifts and Contributions to the District). Action items included approving authorized signature forms and Resolution 13-14, adopting Resolution 13-15 honoring the Interim Superintendent/President, adopting the 2012-13 Education Protection Account Expenditure Plan, adopting the 2013-2014 tentative budget, potential awarding of a contract for CNC milling machines and a lathe, potential approval of new/revised classified job descriptions, potential approval of a new classified management job description, potential approval of salary increases for part-time faculty, and approving change orders for two construction projects (Public Safety Complex and Industrial Technology/Athletic Fields). Information items covered the Children's Center Self Evaluation Report, submitted grant proposals, the quarterly volunteer report, an update on a partnering opportunity with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, bike path development information, and a status report on Bond Measure I projects.

The meeting agenda included sessions for Closed Session and Open Session. Key items for discussion and action included conference with labor negotiators regarding various employee associations and a conference with legal counsel concerning potential litigation. In the open session, the Board considered presentations on a check from Pacific Gas & Electric, the Concurrent Enrollment Pilot Program, and a Cooperative Work Experience/Internship fall 2015 update. The Consent Agenda involved approving warrants, accepting the first quarter financial status report, accepting a donation of a 2001 Honda Accord, authorizing the declaration of district property as surplus, approving faculty appointments and assignments/stipends, approving equivalency certifications for faculty, approving various short-term/substitute/professional expert appointments, approving classified employee appointments/transfers/promotions, approving interim management appointments, approving a revised classified job description, and approving out-of-classification assignments and new management job descriptions. Action items included specifying proprietary items for construction, approving the 2016-2017 academic calendar, authorizing out-of-state travel, approving the naming of a campus library reading area, accepting funded proposals, and approving a revised salary schedule and changes to the CSEA agreement regarding Article 14. Information items covered submitted grant proposals, the Student Equity Plan, employee retirements and resignations, and various monthly reports from academic affairs, student services, finance/administration, institutional effectiveness, and operations. The meeting concluded with reports on the Futuris Public Entity Investment Trust and Bond Measure I status.

The Regular Board Meeting agenda included Closed Session discussions focused on Conference with Labor Negotiator involving several employee associations and confidential matters, as well as potential litigation. The Open Session agenda covered the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the agenda, public comment periods, and presentation updates on the Veteran Success Center. The Consent Agenda featured numerous routine actions, including the approval of the Register of Warrants, acceptance of the Fourth Quarter Financial Status Report, authorization to declare property surplus, approvals for various faculty appointments and assignments (part-time, overload, special assignments), and the second reading and adoption of a revised Board Policy regarding Program Review. Action Items included the acceptance of grants, a Public Hearing on contract reopeners with the California School Employees Association Chapter #251, approval of revised Executive and Confidential/Supervisors Salary Schedules, amendments to the Superintendent/President's employment agreement (including COLA increases and 403(b) contributions), authorization for a dental insurance premium rate increase, and authorization to solicit bids for the Inner City Grid Expansion, LVC project. Information items included reports on grant proposals, distance learning, status reports on Bond Measure I, and first readings of several revised Board Policies and Administrative Procedures.