Monday, May 16, 2016

The May meeting of the SOCCCD Board of Trustees: $17K Palm Springs stay for Administrators/Managers

     [See Tere's Board Meeting Highlights.]
     6:27 - no sign of the trustees yet. The meeting is supposed to start at 6:30. As you know, the board held a special meeting today at 4:00 p.m. (See agenda.) 
     6:29 - I've looked over the agenda for tonight's regular meeting. No "discussion" item tonight. Whew!
     Today's special meeting concerned "ATEP County of Orange Amended and Restated Land Exchange Agreement, Ground Lease and ATEP Report."
     Good grief. Will it never end?
     6:33 - VC Fitz just handed me the pamphlet that went along with the 4:00 presentation concerning ATEP. She directed me to some pages. Gosh thanks!
     I see that ATEP's "mission" is "to offer applied education and training programs in current and emerging technological careers driven by innovative business, industry and education partnerships."
     The vision? "As the premier center of career-technical education in OC, ATEP will prepare students in current and emerging technological careers for a globally competitive economy." —As usual, these things sound pretty buzz-wordular and trendy, as though they were written by marketing people, not academics.
     Looks like the toxicity of soil and water at the site remains a sticking point. The Navy will continue remediation. The "Navy's most recent estimate on when fee title can be transferred if additional testing is required is late 2018."
Students hangin' at the ATEP pond
     The report comprises sections in terms of "categories":
Land Use - Category 1 - Educational (51% minimum)
Allowed uses, Supportive uses
[Partial list of supportive uses: minor retail, post office, administrative offices, medical clinics, lab/offices for applied research, testing and consulting, industrial/commercial business incubators, commercial studios.]
Land Use - Category 2 - Non-educational (49% maximum)
Allowed Uses
[Allowed: income producing, including private sector uses as defined and allowed under the Tustin Specific Plan.]
Land Use - Category 2 - Non-Educational (49% maximum)
Prohibited Uses
 [Partial list: shopping or commercial strip malls over 15,00 sf, hotels and motels, thrift stores, flea markets, farmers market, auto sales, residential (except student housing), drive-through use, live entertainment....]

     The range of "potential bldg sq footage" has "increased." It was 893,851. The potential top end is now 1,710,780 (100% educational). Somehow, this 100% education sf figure involves: 51% education, 49% non-education, max = 1,087,000 sf. (Don't ask me what this means, I dunno.) [END]

And here we thought he was
gonna get canned!
     6:54 - I just spotted trustee TJ Prendergast, sporting his newly bald head. He looks mighty sheepish. He got scalped "for children's cancer." He's big on that sort of thing. One year he grew a mustache contra cancer or something.
     6:55 - Board Prez Tim Jemal just arrived, along with Chancellor Gary Poertner--and now Trustee Terri Whitt.
     6:57 - Dave Lang and Marcia Milchiker just arrived. I do believe I spotted Babs Jay earlier, but I could be wrong.
     Looks like they could be starting soon!

IT BEGINS
     6:59 - They reconvene. Lang is asked to report any actions in closed session. "Yes, 7/0, approved resignation of classified employee at IVC."
     Prendergast does "invocation." Refers to commonness of children's cancer. Moment of silence.
     Pledge of Allegiance
     Swearing in of new student trustee, Johnathan Forde. Big smiles all around.
     Photo op, applause.

     Public comments. There are two requests. First, Jan Mastrangelo. I think she's with Saddleback's classified senate.
     She comes up, backed by three classified employees (I assume). Classified employees week. Talks about "everyday heroes." A trip to Washington, D.C. Refers to successful negotiation of collective bargaining agreement. Wants to recognize the "everyday heroes" who were on the team. Mentions Bugay, Lorch, Doolittle, Quach, Cooper, et al. "People don't realize the amount of work that's involved in this." Mentions some U.S. history.... Blah blah blah. Thanks you all. Applause.

Board Reports:

Nurse pinning and, um, candle burning
     TJ Prendergast: went to OC School Board event. Presentation about a failure to ready students for something. (He seemed skeptical.) My hair is growing back in--wife's happy about that. Large amount of money collected, etc. Looks forward to Commencement.
     Babs Jay: attended 9 events. The Saddleback Vet program--best program in the nation, founded by Tod Burnett. Many across the country visit our campus. Tod Burnett named "administrator/manager of the year" by somebody. May 10 Foundation board committee meeting. 558 Scholarships will be given, amounts to $452K. IVC's special services recognition program on Friday. A wonderful breakfast was served. Many students recognized. Attended nurse pinning ceremony. Went to Saddleback Foundation event, included special Bill Jay scholarship. A very special event, great event. Wonderful.
     Timothy Jemal: attended nurse pinning ceremony, exciting and enthusiastic affair, as always. Males actually got some awards, he notes. (Har har.) Spoke at Saddleback Scholarship awards event. Wants to thanks especially Tod Burnett, his leadership: "tireless work ethic in the community." Golly, they seem to be falling all over themselves praising the Todster (who is absent).
     James Wright: attended about seven events, most very well done. Attended OC School Board Association. Richard Holly, speaker. Women seem to be awarded most degrees these days. Holly explained his research. Ideas about helping young men, boys to succeed. Attended Vets end-of-year celebration. Special recognitions. Attended Cinco de Mayo event. Makes special note of college wide recognition of faculty and staff, informal celebration. One award in particular: IVC robotics activities group. "They won first place in the ground robot division...first responders...structural collapse." Competition held in April. Gave him a decal--that, in turn, Wright now gives to Tim Jemal, who seems bewildered.
     Dave Lang: Congrats to former student trustee Mommand. Good wishes to Johnathan Forde, new trustee. We've had wonderful student trustees, he says. We'll be recognizing a number of employees in a resolution today. Congrats to all individuals that will be mentioned there. Prez Roquemore's report: mentions various faculty. Recognized by UCI, named by transfer students--influenced their academic achievement when the went on to UCI. "Very meaningful, as far as I'm concerned." Looking forward to Commencement.
     Marcia Milchiker: attended 20 events! She reads through list. Lariat open house, One College One Book, etc. IVC student debate presentation. Newly tenured faculty event at IVC. Cinco de Mayo. Etc. She runs through list, hurriedly, in her inimitable Marcia-esque manner.
     Terri Whitt: quickly for the sake of time, she says. Networking session of OC board of Ed, blah blah blah. Tried to make it to IVC recognition event. Attended nurse pinning events. "Every single pinning ceremony comes with more integrity, more fun." Saddleback Foundation retreat. It was valuable.
     Jemal introduces student trustee Forde, who speaks. Attended student government award ceremony at IVC. Attended various events. Thanks all of the students for allowing him this opportunity to serve as trustee. Looking forward to it. Wants to serve the needs of students.

     Chancellor's Report: Gary Poertner: a large number of end-of-year activities. It's always a rush. Wants to take this opportunity to thank all of our employees (3600 of 'em) to help those students who are sitting in those chairs. Particularly the faculty. Those who won't teach during the summer, I wish you well, hope you come back refreshed!

     Prez Glenn Roquemore (IVC): blah blah blah. Introduces a new director, who stands. He reads the usual biographical factoids.
     Prez Tod Burnett (couldn't attend). Somebody (Juan) pinch hits. Highlights the scholarship event. 450 students received scholarships! Major increase. Employee/student recognition on Wednesday (this is a new thing). Commencement: the ultimate celebration of student success. Welcomes new student trustee.
     Saddleback College student government kid thanks everybody. Now I can go to UC Berkeley, he says. I've learned so much, I'm very grateful. Our big needs at Saddleback: facilities, the cafeteria, some restrooms need repair, the vet center (too small). Hopes the stadium will be built. Very excited about water refill station project. Thanks Tod Burnett for great help. Thanks Marcia Milchiker for attending events. "Go Gauchos," he says, upon Jemal's prompting. Some kinda inside joke.

     No board requests for reports. Haven't forgotten about Workday, says Jemal. Report will be given at June meeting. Due to the ATEP hearing today, we had to delay this.

     No discussion item.

     Now: consent calendar. Jemal pulls 5.5. [Turns out it's been removed.] Others: 5.13, 5.2, 5.14, 5.19. Balance is approved. Unanimous yes vote.

     5.2 - Marcia: instead of reading these resolutions, we put them on consent calendar. (She doesn't like it.) We should recognize these people in public. Let's have this item on the regular agenda so we can blather about it.
     Jemal asks for the Chancellor to address that, since this request (to move the item to consent calendar) came from colleges.
     Gary: the Presidents concurred. Takes a lot of time at a board meeting to read many resolutions as we have here today. Etc. The new recognition events are for this purpose. So that's the rationale. We still give employee of year awards, teaching awards. They are honored at meetings.
     Jemal: you want some kind of public recognition. (Marcia: don't need to read the whole resolution. Yes that takes time.) Prendergast suggests discussing this issue at "Saturday's retreat."
     Unanimous yes vote.
     5.13 - do we have replacement boats? Yes. Unanimous yes.
     5.14 - Marcia: Neudesic involved in this. She's unclear. Guitar boy (Bramucci) explains. Jemal: how much business do we give to Neudesic? Blah blah blah. They vote: unanimous yes.


     5.19 - ADMINISTRATORS AND MANAGERS RETREAT IN PALM SPRINGS. Babs Jay: April contracts. She mentions something about Workday. Fitz explains. A contract with Workday, employ their recruitment module. Jay: was this included in original agreement? No. Hyatt Hotels and Resort mentioned. Why Palm Springs? Fitz: that's the decision of managers' retreat. Jay: sounds like an awful lot of money. Fitz: "yes it is." Juan says something, "that's where we always go." Jay: how many people are going? A: 40 or 50 managers.
     Prendergast: back on Workday thing. Wants to know if it is like such-and-such program. Bugay explains about the module. Recruiting service module. Accessible from our college website. Blah blah blah. Bugay: we use the "registry." State-wide for CCs. They vote: unanimous yes.

General Action Items:

It's not exorbitant at all!
6.1 - consolidated Elections for members of Gov boards. Unanimous yes.
6.2 - District emergency operations plan. Bramucci: have to have on file according to state. They vote: unanimous yes.
6.3 - IVC Barranca Entrance Project. "Long awaited," says Jemal. There's some laughter in the audience. $1.5 million. They vote: unanimous.
6.4 - Board Policy Revision - accept for review, study. Blah blah blah. Unanimous yes.
6.5 - Board Policy Revision - Unanimous yes.
6.6 - Academic Personnel Items. - Unanimous yes.
6.7 - Classified Personnel Items. - Jemal has a question. Could you discuss the reclassification? Roquemore: college has been faced with issues, meeting the "thirst" of our institution for market and outreach. Over 600 jobs in the cue. We're finding it difficult for this dept to keep up with this work. Creates stress. There's an importance to marketing. Trying to solve that problem, did research, worked with outside firm to get combination....
     Jemal: do you feel confident in this? Is it a Reorg? Roquemore: a reclassification, not a reorg. Jemal: OK. Prendergast: the jump in salary range seems high. 16 to 21, 8 to 10. Seems like a big leap. Is it that much more work? How does that work? Roquemore: more work and more responsible work. The dollar amounts are...we've been able to find budget for that. An executive director, similar to foundation ex director. "There's some dollars there," but it's not exorbitant at all. Prendergast: different kind of oversight for new role? Jemal: yes, should be different. Roquemore: will add a report for a total of 12. Will report to me. Jemal: got it. They vote: unanimous.
6.8 - Sabbatical rescindment, a faculty member. Unanimous
6.9 - destruction of records. Marcia: do codes tell you which records are being destroyed? Bugay: we have sophisticated system. Annual item. We're following the laws. Prendergast: is this shredding? Do we do it? Bugay: we do it for the most part. Some electronic. They vote: unanimous.
6.10 - Equal employment opportunity plan. Bugay explains. Lang: how does this plan differ from prior plans? Bugay: we've not had such a detailed plan before. This is the template we're supposed to have across the state. They vote: unanimous.
6.11 - CSEA tentative agreement, master agreement. Move approval. They vote: unanimous.

REPORTS:

7.1 - Profs of the year. Juan identifies them. (For names, check out Tere's Board Meeting Highlights in a couple of days.) Wright: praises an instructor: second time he's won. "A wonderful instructor."
7.2 - SC and IVC speakers.
7.3 - Basic Aid report - no changes since last month.
7.4 - Monthly financial status report
7.5 - Facilities plan status report. Brandye suddenly appears, ever-so-slightly less smiley than usual. Wright is worried about some project. Brandye: projected completion date not impacted at this time, she says.
7.6 - Quarterly investment report

8.0 Reports from Admin and Governance Groups

...I'm outa here! [8:04 p.m.]

Rocky's political patronage? Outrage over classified promotions at IVC


     The agenda for the May meeting of the SOCCCD Board of Trustees (tonight) can be found HERE.
     The relevant item: 6.7 - Classified Personnel Actions (late in the agenda)
     For more on the “Mighty Oaks,” see here and here.

Anonymous said...
Woah! Take a look at the board agenda where on Monday the folks (in what they've been trying to pass off as a "marketing department") are receiving huge raises! D.O. goes from a CL16 to CL21 and her side kick, the B-Ram, range 127 to a 138! What a total waste of resources!
4:18 PM, May 12, 2016

Anonymous said...
4:18 Where is this in the Board Agenda? Maybe I am not seeing this. It looks like a 12% increase over three years, just like the faculty.
9:55 PM, May 12, 2016

Anonymous said...
Found it, item 6.7 exhibit A, pages 6 & 8
11:20 AM, May 13, 2016


Anonymous said...
D.O. now makes 123k. With this promo she gets 10% more to equal 136k. After 6 years she will max out at over 182k which equals a 32% total increase. Take THAT, you stupid tax payers!
4:04 PM, May 13, 2016

Anonymous said...
She's making as much as a dean. And we can't hire more faculty? I wouldn't complain as much but she's also horrible at her job. Really, she's horrible.
4:06 PM, May 13, 2016

Anonymous said...
People ought to show up at the board meeting OUTRAGED over this!
4:09 PM, May 13, 2016

Anonymous said...
To be fair, B-Ram will be working in a temp assignment, but everyone knows how that will end up. Strings will be pulled so she gets the position. Initially she will receive a 12% raise putting her at 64k from 57k. After the new contract raises kick in, that puts her at 72k, a 22% increase. After 6 years she will max out at 92k, totaling a 39% raise!
4:32 PM, May 13, 2016

Anonymous said...
DO and BR, hmmm.... Guess little B-Ram needs to make that beamer payment somehow.
4:45 PM, May 13, 2016

Anonymous said...
Two self-serving twits. Oh by the way D.O., I was looking for B-Ram Friday afternoon and she was nowhere to be found. Keep a leash on your dog.
11:08 PM, May 13, 2016


Anonymous said...
She was probably out on her 3 hr. lunch...
1:46 PM, May 14, 2016

Anonymous said...
I'm sure D.O.'s promotion went through the process and was approved by the appropriate strategic planning committee. Does anyone know who serves on such committees know?
6:25 PM, May 15, 2016

Anonymous said...
I know! When D is away miss B is out on her 3 hour lunches
11:23 PM, May 15, 2016

Anonymous said...
These promotions have the optics of organized crime.
12:52 AM, May 16, 2016

Anonymous said...
Me thinks these comments merit being put on a new heading/thread highlighting the ongoing waste, fraud and abuse at IVC.
11:15 AM, May 16, 2016

Anonymous said...
   6:25 is correct to ask. Who are the people on the committee that made this decision? I bet, as the caption implies, the decision was unilaterally made by Glenn without no stink'n committee! Process, schmocess! Perhaps D.O. made the decision herself, like how she was able to override the commencement speaker selection committee and exclude Gustavo...
   Then there is the question of how these promotions can be justified. Has marketing really changed so drastically that it requires new, special skills, and thus, huge increases in sallaries? I seriously doubt it. I bet no justification exists.
   On its face it looks like political patronage, so what else is new?
   On the worthiness of the promotees: all we've ever heard (and read) is about the negative experiences people had when trying to deal with these two. They both fail the worthiness test.
   This is just more in the continuing IVC saga of promoting mediocrity, incompetence and rewarding political allies.
   These bogus promotions certainty do not pass the smell test. And yes, take THAT you stupid tax payers!
4:11 PM, May 16, 2016



Anonymous said...
This is outright waste, fraud and abuse and should immediately be brought to the attention of the California Attorney General.
4:26 PM, May 16, 2016

Anonymous said...
The foundation director became an "executive director" and got a huge jump in salary, too. But who complained about that? Could this be a little unfair?
5:20 PM, May 16, 2016

Anonymous said...
   No she didn't. First a new position was created and advertized. Then E.O. was recruited from the East coast to fill that position. The rumble was mostly about the second director in that area and why they need two directors.
6:02 PM, May 16, 2016

Anonymous said...
   So, the Foundation has an Executive Director and another Director position and you are complaining about Diane Oaks and the PIO Office. I dunno about you, but at least there are publications, flyers, TV and movie advertising, multi-media, etc. coming out of that department. Believe it or not, there is a lot being done by that staff.
   The Foundation on the other hand, not so much (or in current terminology "crickets")
6:14 PM, May 16, 2016


Anonymous said...
You don't have your facts straight, 6:02. The foundation director position was changed to an executive director long before E.O. came from Saddleback College, not the east coast. Either way, nobody complained about the huge increase for that position.
6:32 PM, May 16, 2016

Anonymous said...
   So the argument made at the board meeting was that marketing is key and therefore needs to be expanded. IVC has a student population of roughly 13,000 which is the result of a healthy, steady growth. One can easily make the case that this steady growth occurred and will continue at the same rate regardless of an enlargement of "marketing," unless we're missing something here. Is the real goal to increase the student population to that of Saddleback's?
   When the economy busts and things tighten up IVC will feel the pain of poorly allocated resources. Only then will they be forced to contend with a bloated and overly expensive administration. I think this needless promotion was a bad decision that will only lead to future regret.
10:54 PM, May 16, 2016

Anonymous said...
Can't believe this action was approved. No way this was justifiable in level of work and volume. What a waste of $$$$$$.
11:16 PM, May 16, 2016

Anonymous said...
Bad bad decision.
1:04 AM, May 17, 2016

Anonymous said...
Crappy decision. Graphics use the same software, same macs. Nothing has changed. No need for oaks to add another manager. Waste of taxpayer's monies. Takes weeks to get a flyer completed. Adding a new manager position is so that she can promote one of her two pets britany ram and brenda costtoomuch plys give herself a promotion. BS!!!
1:42 AM, May 17, 2016

Anonymous said...
So in 6 years Oaks will be raking in over $182,000 per year. Rewarded for crappy performance, bad PR and anti service attitude. Irrational because it is pure patronage.
8:18 AM, May 17, 2016

Anonymous said...
I want to know what the 600 jobs in the cue are. That seems rather inflated. Actually, a lot inflated. is this over the course of a year, or constantly ongoing? If we all added up every single little thing we are asked to do, we'd all have 600 items in the cue. The only difference is most of us just get the job done, rather than talk about all the work we have to get done. That's always a sign of someone who is really not as busy as they claim to be.
12:03 PM, May 17, 2016

Roy's obituary in LA Times and Register: "we were lucky to have you while we did"

  This ran in the Sunday December 24, 2023 edition of the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register : July 14, 1955 - November 20, 2...