Seth Anderson

The meeting commenced with a roll call and the flag salute, following a moment of silence in memory of Dr. Manny Garat, a dedicated faculty member at Los Angeles Harbor College since 1980. The board addressed Brown Act procedural notes for public criticism of public employees. Agenda item changes included pulling business item Z4 and correcting item LL1 to refer to East Los Angeles College instead of Los Angeles Valley College. The minutes from the December 17, 2025, annual organizational regular board meeting and close session were approved. Public comments focused heavily on social justice issues, referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from Birmingham jail and concerns regarding unaddressed injustices dating back to July 15, 2024. Concerns were also raised about a recently released gender equity report suggesting systemic deficits, and efforts to reform AB1705. A union representative detailed severe grievances concerning workplace safety (rat issues), alleged harassment, and retaliation, citing the disciplinary actions taken against steward Nathan Lewis and the subsequent termination of custodian Tessa Lopez, both related to reporting safety concerns. The representative strongly urged the board to investigate these retaliatory actions and recommended removing college presidents from serving as impartial Skelly hearing officers due to perceived conflicts of interest, citing procedure violations in Mr. Lewis's dismissal. Finally, AFT-1521 expressed support for the resolution celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy while emphasizing the need to embody his legacy of nonviolent resistance.

The board meeting focused on reviewing progress related to Board Goal One, which targets increasing enrollments, transfer completions, student performance, and student success. Discussions included monitoring district-wide enrollment trends, which showed an encouraging rebound with a 9% increase in student headcount and a 6% increase in total credit enrollment for Fall 2025, with positive projections for Winter and Spring 2026. Data also demonstrated improved instructional efficiency metrics, such as increases in average class size and weekly student contact hours per FTE. A significant highlight was a 64% increase in credit certificates awarded, primarily due to the implementation of an 'auto-awarding' process. Furthermore, the deployment of the auto-certificate awarding process is expected to result in approximately $2.5 million in additional SCFF success allocation revenue. The district also noted success with the California Virtual Campus Exchange. Trustees discussed the strategic implications of state funding priorities, specifically choosing between funding for growth versus a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for existing funds. The board also raised a procedural question regarding using technology to prompt students with suggested courses aligned with their educational goals to mitigate taking unnecessary classes.

The public comment segment featured several speakers addressing the Board. One speaker detailed issues regarding a hostile environment and incompetent administrative procedures in addressing OSS students and granting academic adjustments, citing relevant administrative policies. Other speakers expressed gratitude and offered best wishes to the departing President James Limbbo, highlighting his visionary role in establishing the California Center for Climate Change Education and the Environmental Equity Education Demonstration Project, which reached numerous students and faculty across the district. Another speaker, representing faculty and staff from West Los Angeles College, praised President Limbbo's dedication, leadership, and role in fostering a caring campus culture. A dean from West Los Angeles College also recognized President Limbbo's accomplishments, including launching bachelor's degree programs and guiding the institution through the pandemic. A student speaker advocated for supporting Assembly Bill 537 (AB537) to reduce the unit minimum for the College Promise program to six units, arguing it provides essential accessibility and equity for part-time students, including formerly incarcerated individuals, who need financial support to pursue education over immediate employment. Another speaker provided a poem honoring President Limbbo's leadership. The subsequent agenda item involved requests for support for Assembly Bill 537 (AB537) and Assembly Bill 713 (AB713).

The event recognized Chancellor Alberto J. Román on the California State Assembly Floor. Assembly Member Fong introduced the delegation from the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), including trustees and staff, to honor Chancellor Román. Chancellor Román was highlighted as a champion of student equity and success, leading the nation's largest community college district with nine colleges and over 200,000 students. His extensive experience, including roles as faculty member, vice president of Southwestern College, vice chancellor at LACCD, and president of East Los Angeles College, was noted. His background as an immigrant who achieved significant leadership roles in California's education system was also emphasized.

This document outlines four strategic goals for East Los Angeles College. These goals focus on enhancing student success and academic excellence through improved instruction, support services, and technology. It also aims to increase equity in outcomes by addressing achievement gaps, sustain community-centered access and participation, and ensure institutional effectiveness and accountability through data-driven decision-making and program evaluation.