President's Update

continued President's message

• The Cuesta College bond measure (Measure G) was voted down on June 6, 2006 but we learned a lot about how to be successful for the next bond campaign.
• The Board of Trustees held two meetings to hear public comment about a bond measure and decided not to put a smaller bond measure on the November 2006 ballot.
• With the Board of Trustees approval, the district increased its long-term debt by borrowing up to $13 million in order to save Project Oz (implementation of SCT/Banner integrated software system – $6 million), have enough local matching funds for the reconstruction of the Physical Sciences buildings – $1.7 million, finish the SLO Campus Library Expansion –
$1 million, refund $3 million in existing debt, and cover the cost of issuing certificates of participation. Without the bond, the Board of Trustees had to borrow the funds or cancel
Project Oz and the building projects.
• Ran a successful “Bridge to Success” program for 23 at-risk high school juniors.
• Sent Skills USA Construction Tech team to nationals where they won the bronze!
• Received and read 16 solid program reviews, numerous annual committee reports, and wrote the 2005-2006 End-of-Year Report.
• Developed the best budget in the last five years – all staff is welcome to attend Planning & Budget Committee meetings for further information.
• Reached a tentative agreement on CCCUE contract; and
voting is underway.
• Awarded $155,000 in scholarship funds to 240 students. Thank you to our generous donors!!
• Generated over half a million dollars in grants for LVN, Paramedic and Career Technology.
• Re-established Family Swim, ran summer camps and College for Kids.

What lies ahead?
• Welcome, teach, continue to register students in over 1,399 class sections.
• Get to know one another.
• Figure out how to increase complete communication about institutional issues such as how should Cuesta be administratively organized to improve effectiveness and efficiency, should SLOCCCD prepare a 2008 bond measure, and how can we improve collegiality, civility and collaboration among us.
• Prepare the “Accreditation Progress Report” about program review and outcomes assessment.
• Participate in teaching, learning and professional development activities.
• Start the two-year accreditation self-study process by attending the September 26, 2006 workshop.
• Implement Project Oz.
The year will undoubtedly hold surprises, challenges, hard work, and many other good things. Thank you for all you did last year and this summer, and also for staying positive and dedicated to our student’s success. Please enjoy each day, this semester and the year ahead.