On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) Board of Trustees met for a regularly scheduled meeting. The following are highlights from the meeting held at 5:30 p.m. in the Anaheim Campus First-floor Board Room.
ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE BOARD
Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland thanked the outgoing NOCCCD Board of Trustees Officers for their service in 2023. The following Board Officers were elected for 2024:
Board President Evangelina Rosales appointed NOCCCD Board of Trustees Members to serve as representatives on community committees and boards throughout 2024:
BOARD ACTIONS
The NOCCCD Board of Trustees acted on agenda items, including those highlighted below.
Finance & Facilities: The Board of Trustees received and reviewed the annual audits of the District for fiscal year 2022-23. The District's auditor summarized results from the report, including financial statements, federal and state awards, and federal and state compliance. The report contained no significant audit findings. Board Member Stephen Blount inquired about the definition of a significant finding and the auditor responded that an example of a significant finding would be a change to the District's accounting policy or a purchase equaling significant impact on financial statements. Board Vice President Jeffrey Brown, Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland, and Vice Chancellor, Finance and Facilities, Fred Williams commended the District's finance team for its diligent work. Boad Member Barbara Dunsheath also thanked the auditors and District Audit Committee for its time and efforts throughout the process.
Human Resources: The Board of Trustees approved the promotion of Julia Davis to Human Resources Specialist, effective January 1, 2024.
Human Resources: The Board of Trustees approved the request for the District to offer a Supplemental Early Retirement Plan (SERP), administered by Keenan Financial Services, for eligible employees, effective July 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025, subject to the realization of net savings no less than $5 million. Keenan Financial Services recapped the benefits of the SERP as an incentive for eligible employees to retire from the District on December 31, 2023 or June 30, 2024 for full-time faculty and on December 31, 2023, June 30, 2024, or December 31, 2024 for management, executive officers, and classified or confidential employees.
General: The Board of Trustees adopted the proposed 2023-24 Board of Trustees Goals with the addition of NOCE to goal seven of Goals for Institutional Effectiveness. Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland also brought attention to the updated NOCCCD Fast Facts for 2022-23.
General: The Board of Trustees approved Option A as the schematic design for the Board Room as recommended by the Board Room Subcommittee. Option A includes 13 seats on the dais with two rows of seating for resource staff and a control room at the rear with access ramps on both sides. Vice Chancellor of Finance and Facilities, Fred Williams, introduced PBK-WLC Architects to display diagrams and answer questions. The Board of Trustees commented on the placement of the dais regarding wheelchair accessibility and expressed the desire for maximized audience seating.
General: The Board of Trustees reviewed the proposed, new BP 3830, Flying of National, State, and Commemorative Flags. The Board requested clarification on the process for flag approval and Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland responded that BP 3830 is the policy regarding the flying of flags and that the administrative procedure with the process would follow. The Board determined to keep the original 3.3 allowing the Chancellor to recommend for approval by the Board other commemorative flags consistent with the mission and values of the District. The Board also requested a list specifying the nationally recognized heritage and history month flags.
General: The Board of Trustees adopted Resolution 23/23-13 honoring Dr. JoAnna Schilling, Cypress College President, for her six years of service and contributions to the District and bestowed upon her the distinction of Cypress College President Emeritus. Members of the Board and public spoke highly of Dr. Schilling and the legacy she will leave behind at Cypress College and in the District.
REPORTS
The Chancellor, campus Presidents, Members of the Board, and constituents shared updates on activities and events throughout the District.
Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland commented on the following activities and events:
Vice Chancellor, Finance and Facilities, Fred Williams thanked Board Member Stephen Blount for attending the most recent Citizens' Oversight Committee (COC) meeting and announced that the COC is seeking a business organization representative to join the committee.
Vice Chancellor, Educational Services and Technology, Cherry Li-Bugg shared that enrollment has increased more than 6% from Fall 2022. The Vice Chancellor also noted that winter intersession enrollment is robust and that the District is looking at a double digit increase from last spring to Spring 2024.
NOCE President Valentina Purtell, Cypress College President JoAnna Schilling, and Fullerton College President Cynthia Olivo commented on the following events and activities:
District Director, Public and Governmental Affairs, Kai Stearns announced that it was Communications Coordinator Chelsea Van Doornum's last NOCCCD Board of Trustees meeting as she accepted the position of Director, Public Relations and Communications, at Cerritos College.
District Management Association President Treisa Cassens, Cypress College Academic Senate President Kathleen McAlister, Fullerton College Academic Seante President Jeanette Rodriguez, and CSEA President Pamela Spence thanked Cypress College President JoAnna Schilling for her impact on the campus and in the District and wished her well in her retirement. Fullerton College Academic Senate President Jeanette Rodriguez and United Faculty President Christie Diep expressed concern over PERB findings. CSEA President Pamela Spence commented on the IT Job Family Student and MOU concerns regarding longevity. Adjunct Faculty United President Seija Rohkea reported on member pay for head coaching assignments, as well as introduced Marlo Smith as Adjunct Faculty United's Interim President.
Cypress College Student Trustee Jesus Ramirez Jr. expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with President JoAnna Schilling over the past semester.
Board Member Ryan Bent and Board President Evangelina Rosales thanked Past Board President Ed Lopez for his leadership and service. Board Member Jacqueline Rodarte reported on the Fullerton Museum Leo Fender Grand Opening and noted that the exhibit will be open through March 2024. Board Vice President Jeffrey Brown reminded all that the next NOCCCD Board of Trustees meeting will take place in the Anaheim Union High School District Board Room. Board Member Stephen Blount commented on his attendance at recent events, including Cypress College President JoAnna Schilling's retirement celebration, Citizens' Oversight Committee meeting, Cypress College Americana Award Kickoff, Leo Fender exhibition at the Fullerton Museum, and Cypress Chamber event.
During Public Comments, faculty expressed concern over PERB findings and reported on negotiations regarding stipends for coaches. A community member shared that December 10th was the anniversary of UN Human Rights Day and encouraged the District to offer peace studies programs for students.
NEXT MEETING
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, in the Anaheim Union High School District Board Room (501 N Crescent Way, Anaheim, CA 92801).
Board Highlights is produced by NOCCCD Public & Governmental Affairs as a summary of the Board actions and reports. It is not intended as a replacement of the official minutes of the Board meeting. For more information on the NOCCCD Board of Trustees, please visit: https://nocccd.edu/board-of-trustees.