Patrick Backes

The Campus Safety Plan for Santa Clarita Community College District outlines comprehensive strategies to ensure a safe and secure environment for employees, students, and visitors. It details methods for contacting campus safety assistance, crime reporting procedures, and special safeguards for facilities, including security, access, maintenance considerations, and emergency management protocols. The plan also highlights actions taken in the last 18 months to enhance safety and planned additions for the next 24 months, with reference to relevant board policies and procedures.

The meeting commenced with preliminary functions including the establishment of a quorum, welcome to guests, flag salute, and approval of the agenda. The Board adjourned into closed session to discuss labor negotiations and public employee performance evaluation for the Interim Superintendent/President. Upon returning to open session, the Board approved the minutes of the January 9, 2026 Organizational Meeting and Board Retreat. The consent calendar involved approvals for several items, including clinical affiliation agreements, a contract for Open Educational Resources development with LibreTexts, Small Business Development Center contracts, international travel authorizations, purchase order ratification, credit card approval, mileage rate increase, a smart coffee machine services agreement, approval of Notice(s) of Completion, and several technology infrastructure approvals related to a cybersecurity grant and camera installation. In regular business, the Board approved a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds not to exceed $25,000,000 and ratified budget transfers for November 2025. A public hearing and subsequent adoption occurred regarding the District's Contract Re-Opener Proposal with CSEA Chapter 725 for FY 2025-2026, followed by ratification of a collective bargaining agreement with Part-Time Faculty United AFT Local 6262 for 2024-2025. Modifications to the MOU with the Classified Confidential Employee Group and approval of the Personnel Schedule were also handled. Policy modifications were approved for second reading for Board Policy 3250, and first reading for Board Policies 2210, 2220, 2315, and related Administrative Procedures concerning Officers, Committees of the Board, Closed Sessions, Teleconferenced Meetings, Agendas, and Recording. General items included the adoption of the Revised 2025/26 Board of Trustees Goals and Development Plan, inclusion of a Board's Value Statement, approval of the Board of Trustees Communications Plan, and approval of compensation for Trustee Sharlene Johnson for an absence from a previous Special Meeting. The meeting concluded with reports on legislation, committee activities, and announcements, followed by adjournment.

The meeting commenced with preliminary functions, including the establishment of a quorum and approval of the agenda. The organizational segment focused on the election of Board Officers for 2026, resulting in the selection of Sharlene Johnson as President, Fred Arnold as Vice President, and Edel Alonso as Clerk. Additionally, the Board approved several resolutions concerning the Certification of Signatures for the District, Associated Student Government, and the Center for Early Childhood Education. The subsequent Board Retreat centered on governance and professional development, including the development of a Board Values Statement, review of Board goals, and discussion of the 2025 self-evaluation results.

The special meeting included the approval of the CEO Search Website for public release, following a presentation by a consultant and contributions from the Ad Hoc Committee members.

The accreditation study session included presentations from ACCJC Vice President, Kevin Bontenbal, and Dr. Thea Alvarado. Bontenbal's presentation covered topics such as the role of ACCJC, its mission and values, the accreditation cycle, interconnected standards, the comprehensive review process, timeline overview, expectations for boards, common questions for boards, how boards can meet expectations, accreditation standards specific to boards, and representing the public trust. Dr. Alvarado's presentation included accreditation background, mid-term progress, findings of the 2002 Comprehensive Review, recommendations for improving institutional effectiveness, team recommendations, new standards and philosophy approach, the standards, and institutional self-evaluation reports. The Board shared comments and asked questions.