From the President
CCNEWS, January 16, 2004

While some among us retire, others earn tenure. Congratulations to Sean Boling (English), Sally Blanton Demarest (English), Christopher Gilbert (Philosophy), Margaret Korishelli (Art), and Sonja Manor (Math) on being recommended and receiving tenure through Board action at the January meeting. Thank you, Division Tenure Committee and Institutional Tenure Committee members, deans, and vice presidents for helping these fine faculty successfully earn tenure.

The development of Unit and Cluster Plans and the development of the 2004-2005 budget will receive much of our attention this spring. General information about the Governor’s proposed budget for the California Community Colleges is provided in the article on page 1. For more information about what the proposed budget would mean for Cuesta College, come to the January 27 Shared Governance Council/Budget and Planning Committee Workshop by which time we should have clarity on what some of the changes in this new Governor’s budget would mean for community colleges. As a system, we have been treated more fairly than a year ago. Yes, there are problems in the proposed budget, such as no COLA and steep fee increases for students. We need to remember that this is the beginning of the budget cycle, so it will be our collective job to help improve the budget for community colleges as we talk with our legislators and advocate on behalf of community college students and the employees who teach and serve them.

This is the semester all of us have the opportunity to vote on Proposition 55, the $12.3 billion General Obligation Bond Measure for K-16 facilities. Prop 55 would provide Cuesta College $12 million for construction of the NCC Library/Learning Resource Center, the preliminary and working drawings of the NCC Trades and Technology Building, and the preliminary and working drawings for the major remodel/renovation of the SLO Science Laboratories. This proposition needs a 50% plus 1 majority vote to pass. Prop 55 will be on the ballot for the March 2 election. Information about the need for and impact of this state bond measure for Cal Poly, Cuesta, and K-12 is available at http://www.2004schoolbond.com/newsroom/index.html and will be provided at a press conference to be held on the SLO Campus, on January 22, 10 a.m., in Room 5401.

During this semester we will continue to try to reach agreement on the faculty and classified contracts; we will recruit and hire faculty, classified, and managerial employees; develop unit and cluster plans; develop the 2004-2005 budget; and so much more. But our most important work is to teach and serve our students successfully and to work together to resolve differences and meet new challenges.

To end on a personal note, I am aware that there is misunderstanding and concern about the Board’s adoption of a salary schedule for the position of superintendent/president at the January 7 BOT meeting. Here are the facts. On November 5, 2003 the Board approved a new contract for me that, to comply with Policy 2012, required the development of a salary schedule that could bring the existing salary up to the median salary of superintendents/presidents of single college districts with enrollment between 7,000-16,000 students within the next four years. Based on data from the Chancellor’s Office, the 25 colleges that fell in this enrollment range were identified and the headcount, FTES, $/FTES, and CEO salaries were compiled. Based on the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 data, which was the most current available data, median salaries were determined, and a five-step salary schedule was developed.

When the Board adopted the salary schedule, it stipulated that implementation was dependent on the District’s ability to implement other salary schedules, which depends on funding. My salary today is the same as it was in 2001-2002. When it will be changed depends on the Board of Trustees. I have not decided when I will retire or whether it will be from Cuesta. As the Board’s employee, I negotiate my contract with them. My contract is a public document as was the agenda material for the January 7 meeting. If you have questions, I invite you to come talk with me.

As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday to honor his achievements, let’s make his dreams a reality for our students and society. I wish you each a good semester