Summary of the June 2, 2026 Board of Trustees Meeting
Published on Jun 2 2026Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that 91视频 is located on the unceded territory of the Wiyot, Hupa, Karuk, Mattole, Tolowa, Wailaki, and Yurok people where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes.
Board Business
Samantha Young was sworn in by Board President Carol Mathews as our new student trustee. Student Trustee Young鈥檚 experience and pass will contribute to her success as a student representative on the Board. She is particularly interested in the student experience of trans and LGBTQIA+ individuals and those experiencing basic needs insecurity. Samantha is currently majoring in Psychology and serves as the President of the Dungeons & Dragons + Club on campus (currently CR鈥檚 largest club).
The Board approved Resolution #841 and Resolution #842 ordering elections for trustee seats for Area 1 (Ferndale), Area 2 (Fortuna), Area 3 (Del Norte), and Area 5 (Arcata). This represents a majority of trustee seats up for election on November 3, 2026.
Consent Calendar Action Items
The Board of Trustees approved my recommendation to hire Emerald Bibancos, Chwa鈥檏in Latham, and Shaylynn Moon as Student Services Specialist II classified employees for our Klamath-Trininty Instructional Site. In addition to these three new CSEA colleagues, we also welcome three associate faculty to our college community: Dawn Blake (Forestry & Natural Sciences), Jessica McCraw (Earth Science), and Zachary Gigone (Forestry & Natural Resources). I want to thank the Board for ratifying my decision to approve the employee change of status for Terra Thompson, Jessica Howard, Bob Brown, and Colin Trujillo. Effective June 3 Terra will move from her position as administrative support for the Academic Senate to the Academic Affairs Specialist position. For equity and uniformity reasons, I made the decision to change Jessica Howard鈥檚 dean position to 鈥渁cademic dean.鈥� This action more accurately reflects Jessica鈥檚 instructional duties and aligns her title and compensation with the other three Eureka Campus academic deans. Some of Jessica鈥檚 increase will be paid by a nursing grant. Several weeks ago, I informed the Board of Trustees and the college community that Dr. Crystal Morse assumed cabinet level oversight for the Del Norte Campus and the Pelican Bay Scholars Program effective June 1, 2026. To create more administrative capacity for Dr. Morse I decided to shift seven student services departments currently reporting directly to Dr. Morse (Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, Counseling, Career Center, Native American Student Success and Support Programs, Child Development Center, and Veterans Services) to Collin Trujillo and Bob Brown. Bob and Colin鈥檚 additional administrative duties necessitated a 7% 鈥渂ump鈥� in compensation. I want to clearly state that Bob and Colin鈥檚 compensation increases will be paid for by categorial funding sources and not the general fund.
The Trustees took action to approve several pieces of curriculum at this meeting. Included in this action was the approval of a new Certificate of Achievement in Data Science. This certificate of achievement will provide students with useful skills they can use to enter the workforce or advance in their current career. The certificate will also give students from underrepresented populations both inside and outside of our District the opportunity to gain experience and desirable skills in a short amount of time.
The Board approved my recommendation to reassign the role of District Chief Negotiator for CSEA from Dr. Crystal Morse to Mr. Jose Serrano. The Director of Human Resources traditionally serves in this role. I want to thank Crystal for serving as the chief negotiator. I also want to thank Jose for taking on this key role. I have great faith in Jose!
Action/Discussion Items
The Trustees approved the recommendation to amend my contract to reflect the statutorily authorized COLA of 2.87% in the State Budget. I refused the 1.44% discretionary COLA discussed in the Governor鈥檚 May Revised Budget. It is important to me that the discretionary COLA money goes toward paying for my CR colleagues who are entitled to the benefits memorialized in AB 65. If you are not aware, AB 65, which is included in the Governor鈥檚 May Revised Budget and the California Senate鈥檚 Budget and Fiscal Committee May 28 proposal, will promote greater equity in the education workforce by requiring community college districts to provide 14 weeks of fully paid pregnancy disability leave. This bill is a long time coming and I am proud to support it for the good of all our employees. Here is a quick summary of the bill.
The bill would require a public school employer to, for a certificated employee or an employee in the classified service of the public school employer, and would require a community college district to, for an academic employee or an employee in the classified service of the community college district, provide up to 14 weeks of a leave of absence with specified pay benefits for an employee who is required to be absent from duty because of pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from those conditions, as provided. The bill would authorize the paid leave to begin before and continue after childbirth if the employee is actually disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or a related condition. The bill would prohibit a leave of absence taken pursuant to these provisions from being deducted from other leaves of absence, as provided, and would require public school employers and community college districts to maintain group health coverage for an employee who takes a leave of absence under these provisions for the duration of the leave of absence at the same level and under the same conditions that coverage would have been provided if the employee had not taken a leave of absence. The bill would prohibit any other eligibility requirements, including, but not limited to, minimum hours worked or length of service, before an employee disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or related medical conditions is eligible for a paid leave of absence under these provisions.
My annual salary will be $351,777.04. This salary amount includes a base salary of $335,973.04 (which reflects my current salary of $326,599.63 with the proposed 2.87% COLA) plus $15,804.00 (the car and expense allowance of $900.00 and $417.00 annualized over twelve months). My $1,500.00 Doctorate Stipend will remain separate from my salary.鈥疶he term of my contract remains unchanged.
The Board approved our monthly financial status report that covered the period of July 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026. Our report noted that no budget adjustments were made this month and we will continue to allocate money to six areas: $130,000 to the Child Development Center, $82,266 to Shively Farm, $650,000 to the OPEB fund, $500,000 for the Debt Service Fund, $235,849 to Adult and Community Education, and $150,000 to the Other Special Revenue Fund. The monthly financial status report shows a projected 2025-26 Unrestricted General Fund ending fund balance of $6,666,594, or 13.2% of Unrestricted General Fund expenditures.
Informational Reports
Included in the Recognition Report were letters of commendation for Cameron Papp, our KTIS colleagues, and Jessica Howard. I encourage you to read the read the letters written by Professor Dr. George Potamianos for Cameron, Professor Emeritus Geology/Earth Science Mark Renner for our Klamath-Trinity Instructional Site colleagues, and nursing faculty member Natalie Yialelis recognizing Dean Jessica Howard. You will find the letters included in the public Board agenda under agenda item 6.1. I recognized CR students James Ward, Christine Carter, April Thompson, Chris Judevine, Spenser Anaya, Olivia Murphy, Dennis Pidduck, and Katherine Ziegler for their outstanding performance at the NCL Spring 2026 competition. Led by CR Professor Amy Murphy, our students placed #68 nationally in the Cyber Power Rankings among over 7,522 students from 441 colleges and universities. I also acknowledged the Del Norte Center鈥檚 College and Career Discovery Day for fourth graders and Lauryn Cortez鈥檚 role in planning and implementing the program.
Dr. Amy Moffat provided an information report on our revised integrated planning model and the new vision for program review and assessment at the College. Amy shared that the current Integrated Planning Model has served the institution for many years; however, significant changes in recent years have highlighted the need for revision. Earlier accreditation cycles prompted the rapid development of planning and program review processes designed to meet immediate accreditation expectations and institutional requirements. Over time, many of those structures became embedded in institutional practice, even as organizational needs, technologies, leadership, and accreditation standards evolved. More recent changes鈥攊ncluding transitions in key institutional leadership positions, the loss of previous web-based program review submission and archival systems, and the implementation of the 2024 ACCJC Standards鈥攈ave further underscored the need for a more sustainable, integrated, and clearly documented planning framework. In addition, feedback gathered from faculty, staff, and committee leaders identified opportunities to simplify processes, improve communication, and strengthen the connection between planning, evaluation, and institutional decision-making.
Our revised model is grounded in several guiding principles. First, the revisions emphasize alignment between all levels of institutional planning, including district-wide plans, committee work, program review, assessment, and resource allocation. Second, the revisions prioritize accountability and transparency by clarifying roles, timelines, and expectations for departments and committees. Third, the model seeks to create a more usable and understandable process for all areas of the institution, including instruction, student services, administrative services, and District operations. Finally, the revisions reinforce evidence-based decision-making by ensuring that planning and resource allocation are informed by assessment results, program review findings, and institutional data.
A central feature of the revised Integrated Planning Model is the redesign of the assessment and program review cycle. Under the proposed structure, all departments, disciplines, and operational units will complete an annual report during four years of a five-year cycle. This structure is intended to create a more continuous and sustainable planning process while reducing the burden associated with infrequent large-scale reviews. The annual reports will focus on documenting progress toward goals established during the previous program review cycle, while the fifth-year program review will provide a more comprehensive analysis of outcomes, planning priorities, and resource needs.
The revised model also strengthens the integration of assessment into planning processes. Our previous one size fits all model did not produce the data and information necessary for genuine improvement. Each department or area will develop individual assessment plans as an output of the program review process and guide the department or area through the next cycle. Curriculum updates and review processes will likewise be incorporated into Year 4 activities to ensure alignment between assessment findings, curriculum quality, and program planning. This structure is intended to improve the consistency and usefulness of assessment data while ensuring that instructional and operational improvements remain ongoing rather than episodic.
Another major proposal is the creation of a new Program Assessment and Review Committee (PARC), which would combine the functions of the existing Assessment Committee and Program Review Committee. PARC will still include representation from faculty and staff and will be led by three tri-chairs: Instruction Representative (e.g. the Assessment Coordinator), an Administrative/Student Services Representative, and the Dean of Planning, Research, and Institutional Effectiveness. These tri-chairs will also serve on the Institutional Effectiveness Committee to strengthen communication and coordination across governance structures. PARC would support departments and units throughout the five-year cycle by providing feedback, guidance, training, and consultation. The committee would also host an annual summit or training sessions focused on assessment, program review, and institutional effectiveness practices.
The proposed revisions further strengthen district-wide planning by positioning a District Strategic Plan as the overarching framework connecting the Education Master Plan, Facilities Master Plan, and other institutional plans. Under the revised model, district-wide committees鈥攊ncluding Budget Advisory, Strategic Enrollment Management, Student Equity Planning, Technology Planning, Accessibility Planning, and others鈥攚ould continue to play essential roles in implementing institutional priorities and informing planning and resource allocation decisions. The revised framework emphasizes greater coordination among these committees to improve institutional alignment and reduce duplication of effort.
The anticipated outcomes of the revised Integrated Planning Model include increased transparency, stronger collaboration across institutional areas, clearer alignment between planning and resource allocation, improved accountability, and a greater sense of shared institutional purpose. The revisions are also intended to strengthen compliance with ACCJC standards and ensure that the institution maintains a culture of continuous improvement centered on student success and equitable outcomes. By creating clearer connections among assessment, planning, evaluation, and resource allocation, the revised model aims to support more effective institutional decision-making and a more sustainable framework for ongoing institutional effectiveness work.
CR鈥檚 assessment and institutional effectiveness efforts will also be highlighted beyond the District community this fall. 鈥淎ssesstivus,鈥� our assessment-focused annual event in collaboration with Cal Poly Humboldt, has been selected as a poster presentation topic for the 2026 ACCJC Partners in Excellence Conference, which will be held November 17鈥�18, 2026, at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside, California. The conference will bring community college faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees together from across the ACCJC region to share effective practices related to accreditation, assessment, institutional planning, and student success.
Organizational and Administrative Reports
In her report, Academic Senate President Wendy Riggs wrote that in addition to the work being done by the Interview Committee to identify my successor as President this summer, the Academic Senate is working with Human Resources to form screening committees to hire tenure-track faculty in nursing, respiratory therapy, social work/addiction studies, construction technology, Native American Studies, and counseling. Wendy also wrote that she started the process of identifying faculty to serve on thirty-one Probationary Faculty Evaluation Committees (PFECs) in the following stages: seven tenure-track colleagues will be in year four of the tenure process, four colleagues will be in year three, eight colleagues will be in year two, and twelve brand new tenure-track colleagues will be in year one of the process. Wendy shared a wonderful picture of her and new biology faculty member Jackie Patmore celebrating after the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Conference in Kansas City MO on May 22-27! I am so proud of Wendy and Jackie.
CSEA President Rachel Warze thanked the Management Council for hosting the employee appreciation luncheons at our Eureka and Del Norte campuses. She also recognized Giselle Cabrero, Jonny Maiullo, and Evan Hatfield for serving on the recently sunsetted AI Task Force.
Management Council President Leigh Dooley noted that over one hundred Eureka Campus classified and confidential staff were served and celebrated, and in Del Norte, sixteen classified staff were served and recognized at the employee appreciation luncheons.
In my administrative report, I mentioned that CR鈥檚 student athlete's academic achievement has steadily improved over the past three years. Just in 2025-2026, our Athletic Department GPA was 3.093 and had 105 Honor Roll Student Athletes with 3.5 GPA of higher, nine student athletes had cumulative 4.0 GPA鈥檚, 302 of 325 student athletes competed in 3C2A contests, and graduated forty student athletes out of seventy-nine sophomores. Here is a list of grade point averages broken down by sport.
Team GPA Awards/Graduates
Baseball 3.346 25 Honor Roll, 2 Graduates
M. Basketball 3.127 3 Honor Roll, 4 Graduates
W. Basketball 3.364 9 Honor Roll, 4 Graduates
M & W XC/Track 3.239 16 Honor Roll, 6 Graduates
W. Soccer 2.986 5 Honor Roll, 2 Graduates
M. Soccer 2.408 3 Honor Roll, 1 Graduate
Softball 3.422 8 Honor Roll, 5 Graduates
Volleyball 3.472 6 Honor Roll, 4 Graduates
Football 3.227 25 Honor Roll, 13 Graduates
M & W Wrestling 2.418 4 Honor Roll
Rodeo 3.022 1 Honor Roll
It is my pleasure to also share the academic achievement of our student athletes over the past three years.
2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
Student Athletes Competing in 3C2A Contests 128 of 199 206 of 261 302 of 325
64.32% 78.93% 92.92%
Athletic Department Cumulative GPA 3.08 3.06 3.09
Graduates Finishing with A 3.00 or Higher GPA 83% 85% 95%
Student Athletes with a 3.5 or Higher GPA 66 71 105
Student Athletes with a 4.0 GPA 9 11 9
Teams that Finished with a GPA of 3.0 or higher 9 of 14 10 of 14 12 of 15
In my verbal comments, I mentioned that the California Senate鈥檚 Budget and Fiscal Review Committee released its 2026-27 budget proposal last Thursday. Overall, the Senate proposal represents a positive outcome for CR. Here are five takeaways:
- The Senate proposes funding 3.5% enrollment growth across 2025-26 and 2026-27, significantly higher than the Governor鈥檚 proposed 1.5%.
- The Senate proposal also includes trailer bill language that would allow us to report funded FTES using either current-year enrollment or a three-year average, whichever is greater.
- The Senate also proposes to restore approximately $241 million to the community college system.
- The Senate supports the Governor鈥檚 major community college proposals, including investments in: Common Cloud, Credit for Prior Learning, Dual Enrollment, Related and Supplemental Instruction (RSI) Apprenticeships, The Adult Learner Demonstration Project, Paid Pregnancy Disability Leave (AB 65), and Calbright College.
- The Senate also goes beyond the Governor鈥檚 proposal in several areas that many of us have been advocating for: $60 million one-time over three years to fully restore Strong Workforce Program funding, $30.1 million ongoing COLA for the Student Equity and Achievement Program, $15 million ongoing for Dreamer Resource Liaisons, and $10 million ongoing for financial aid administration support.
The Legislature must pass a budget bill by June 15; however, as we have seen in the past, budget negotiations will continue through the remainder of June. So, there is time for the Senate and Assembly to reconcile their budget interests.
Julia Morrison鈥檚 administrative report provided an update on our student accounts receivable in response to a request by the Board. Starting with the 2020-21 year-end closing process, the District initiated a new practice of writing off all student accounts receivable that were three years or older. The total write-off amount was a little over $2 million. Prior to the write off, the student accounts receivable balance was $3.621 million. After the write-off, the balance at June 30, 2021 was $1.508 million. The Business Office has continued the practice of student debt write-off as part of the annual fiscal year-end closing process. For fiscal year 2021-22 a little over $300 thousand was written off. On June 30, 2022, the total student accounts receivable balance was $1.571 million. For fiscal year 2022-23 a little less than $200 thousand was written off. At June 30, 2023 the total student accounts receivable balance was $2.522 million. For fiscal year 2023-24 a little over $200 thousand was written off. On June 30, 2024 the total student accounts receivable balance was $2.609 million. In fiscal year 2024-25 approximately $150,000 was written off and the total student accounts receivable balance was $2.615 million. For comparison, here are the student account receivable balances for the past nine years:
June 30, 2025 - $2,615,487
June 30, 2024 - $2,609,620
June 30, 2023 - $2,522,533
June 30, 2022 - $1,571,486
June 30, 2021 - $1,508,874
June 30, 2020 - $3,393,715
June 30, 2019 - $3,952,652
June 30, 2018 - $3,607,024
June 30, 2017 - $3,525,964
June 30, 2016 - $3,510,678
Here is some information on June 30, 2025 student accounts receivable balance for two similar sized CA Community Colleges who also have residence halls: College of the Siskiyous $1.75 million and Shasta College $3.40 million.
In the VPISD administrative report Dr. Crystal Morse provided a great summary of our 2025-26 curriculum activity. She noted that the Curriculum Committee accomplished the following:
- 417 curriculum items reviewed and approved, including 364 courses and fifty-three programs, representing approximately 62% of all curricula in the current catalog.
- 104 of the 417 actions were new curriculum proposals, while the remaining work included catalog revisions, non-substantial updates, course inactivations, and substantial changes to existing curriculum.
- Over 70% of all curricula processed during the academic year occurred during the Spring 2026 semester, reflecting an exceptionally high volume of review activity.
- The committee also supported modality and instructional innovation through the approval of 213 distance education proposals, along with correspondence education and large-class format requests.
- Curriculum agenda sizes increased significantly throughout the year, with spring meetings averaging fifty agenda items and several meetings exceeding 65鈥�70 items.
I wholeheartedly agree with her assertion that the accomplishments of our curriculum committee are the result of tremendous collaboration and dedication across the institution and the exceptional commitment of the committee鈥檚 members to manage the volume of curriculum reviewed while maintaining the integrity and timeliness of the curriculum review process.
Marty Coelho鈥檚 report noted that The CR Foundation is participating in this year鈥檚 Bold Day of Giving campaign in partnership with Access Humboldt, Professor Kyle Shamp is receiving a $5,000 faculty innovation grant for the Welding Technology Project, and Ms. Ruth Jensen will receive an additional $1,400 to support the relocation and rehabilitation of the large Melvin Schuler sculpture being removed from the former administration building. Marty shared that the Foundation sponsored numerous events, including Access Humboldt鈥檚 Illuminate event, Cal Poly Humboldt鈥檚 Dinner and Auction, CR鈥檚 Bright Futures event, the CR Staff Appreciation Lunch, the Del Norte Campus end-of-year event, the Fortuna Junior Rodeo, the Humboldt Math Festival, the Humboldt Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚, the Northern California Association of Nonprofits, the Redwoods Region Economic Summit and the Summer Trails Course for Native American youth.