17
Governance
Running head: SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE PROJECT
School Board Governance Project for EDUC 705
Cynthia J. Spence
California State University San Bernardino
Introduction
On November 18, 2008, I attended the College of the Desert Board of Trustees meeting on the COD campus. The current members of the board are: Miss Lorraine Hernandez -Student Trustee, Dr. Merle (Bud) Miller - Chairman, Ms. Becky Broughton – Vice Chair, Mr. John Marman- Clerk, Dr. Bonnie Stefan – Member, and Mr. Charles Hayden, Jr. Member. The meeting took place just after the November election and Charles Hayden, Bonnie Stefan, and Bud Miller had just been reelected to office.
On October 24th, the local newspaper, The Desert Sun, had offered their endorsement of incumbents Charles Hayden and Bonnie Stefan but came out in support of Miller’s challenger Everett R. Martin. In support of Martin, the paper stated that they liked “his ideas, including ways to increase funding by enhancing grant writing duties, expanding medical training and forging more partnerships with local business” (B5). The paper also implied that Miller had failed to be an “independent voice” on the board. Additionally, while offering support of Hayden, the paper noted that they were hoping if he were reelected, Hayden would “focus harder on K-12 feeders to the college and support the new COD president” (B5). The paper offered their strongest support to Bonnie Stefan and stated that she understands the budget and is fiscally responsible, has ideas to raise money, is focused on increasing medical training, and chaired the committee that hired the new president. The paper spoke highly of College of the Desert’s new president, Jerry Patton, and stated that “the board has a solid new president in Jerry Patton, who’s earning high marks from many throughout the valley” (B5).
On October 26th, the paper posted an online article on the election written by Erica Solvig. In her article, Solvig states that the “election comes at a time of transition for the Palm Desert community college, which recently hired a new superintendent-president and is in the middle of building satellite campuses at both ends of the Coachella Valley” (mydesert.com). The article stated that both trustee members Becky Broughton and John Marman were endorsing Hayden’s challenger Paul Miller.
I had contacted Lee Ann Weaver, the Senior Administrative Assistant to the Board of Trustees, and asked if any of the board members might be willing to meet for a short interview with a doctoral candidate. I received an email from Weaver stating that she had sent my request to the board members and Becky Broughton stated she would be happy to meet with me after the November 18th meeting.
Board of Trustees Meeting
1. As people arrive, observe and listen. Can you identify any organizing of groups, or strategizing? If so, can you determine their agenda? Are any people here in opposition to, or support of, any specific agenda item?
The meeting was held in the North Annex portable room. The building is rather small. Three eight foot tables formed a horseshoe and a smaller 6 foot table was placed at the end of the horseshoe for guest speakers and public comments. There was also a small hospitality table at the back of the room that offered a fruit tray and water. I arrived early, and was surprised by the low attendance. At 9:25 there were only nine people in the audience and eleven individuals sitting at the tables. All attendees were adults.
President Jerry Patton sat on the left-side table next to Lorraine Hernandez, the student trustee, they shared a microphone. Lee Ann Weaver, the administrative assistant also sat at this table next to a gentleman operating the audio equipment.
The trustee members sat directly across from the audience in the following left to right order: Bonnie Stefan, Becky Broughton, Bud Miller, and Charles Hayden. They shared two microphones. On the right-side table sat John Marman- Clerk, COD’s Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Diane Ramirez and COD’s Vice President Administrative Services, Dr. Edwin Deas. They shared two microphones. I observed Deas talking with Patton before the meeting. Ramirez and I have met several times before and she came to say hello to me. President Patton also stopped by to say hello. Weaver, pointed me out to Broughton and we said hello. Only two people took advantage of the hospitality table and the meeting began promptly at 9:30
After the pledge of allegiance the trustee members made a few simple announcements. Broughton mentioned that she had seen the college’s play “Our Town” and she felt it was the best presentation of the play she had observed. Broughton also acknowledged the election and welcomed the returning members. Marman talked about his recent trip to Europe, Hayden announced that his son had just “passed the bar,” Miller mentioned judging the Halloween contest held on campus, and several members talked about how much they enjoyed the recent “sock-hop” to celebrate the college’s 50th anniversary.
2. What is the procedure for the public to address agenda and non-agenda items?
During the meeting they would ask for public comments. None were made. I was the only member of the audience who was not there for a special presentation.
3. What was the general demeanor of the following people during the meeting? Did any change? In response to what items?
§ The Superintendent – He seemed busy and a little stressed.
§ Board members – They didn’t talk much among each other and there was little eye contact. Even when another member was speaking the trustees looked at their paperwork or down at the table.
§ Union leaders – The adjunct union leader was the only one present and he presented information from a recent meeting regarding finances. He was concerned that adjunct faculty would suffer the most under the current financial crisis and he asked the board to make cuts evenly when possible. From their posture and lack of engagement it seemed that the trustees “tolerated” his presentation but were not “happy” to see him.
§ Parent or community groups – none in attendance.
§ Students – The student trustee spoke about a few student led projects. Hernandez was the only COD student in the room. She obviously wasn’t feeling very well. She kept adjusting her sweater as if she were cold and apologized for her cough; midway through the meeting she announced that she had missed some planned events and was recovering from “mono.”
4. Is there clustering of the following sorts? Explain:
· Racial or ethnic? – Other than Hernandez, the board and audience members were all Caucasian. I remember overhearing a conversation between Patton and some faculty members earlier in the year about the college’s need for more “staff” diversity. Although the five board members included two women, the board does not adequately represent the ethnic diversity of the community.
· By SES (socioeconomic status)? – This didn’t appear to be a factor.
· School level, e.g., elem., middle, high school? – Everyone appeared to be college graduates.
5. Were there any presentations/reports by staff, vendors, schools, parent groups, others?
Yes, one staff member gave a report on her sabbatical project which the board had approved. The adjunct union representative gave a short report about a finance meeting. There were a few short reports concerning earthquake preparedness, the Dean’s tea, an honor society recognition, and an architecture exhibit. However, the longest and most important report was presented by Deas on the current state budget. President Patton also spoke in length about the budget crisis.
6. Can you identify the Superintendent’s supporters? Detractors?
President Patton seemed to have the support of the room. However, at 11:30 he excused himself to attend another meeting and the board did seem a little irritated that he wouldn’t be there to answer questions. Patton stated that Deas would be able to answer questions.
7. Were there any “hot” issues? What were they? Why are they “hot”?
The “hot” issue was the budget crisis. President Patton said he felt it was necessary to cancel “intercession” classes and Hayden responded that it wouldn’t be a fair thing to do to the students who count on these courses for graduation and sports eligibility. “Intercession” at COD is a selection of condensed classes placed in between the traditional academic calendar. During these sessions, students can complete a traditional sixteen week course in three weeks. It appeared that the board agreed with Hayden’s opinion that the cancellation should not be made because the students had not received enough noticed and it was suggested that a decision could be made later. Nevertheless, by the next morning, the college announced that intersession had been cancelled on their webpage. This led me to believe that Patton had already decided to make the cancellation and was really just letting the board members “vent” rather than really asking for their opinion.
8. Who responds to the public’s questions?
There were none.
9. Who is in charge? The Board President or the Superintendent?
President Patton seemed to be in charge. Becky Broughton also played a major roll. Although Miller was designated to call for votes and lead the meeting, he frequently became confused and Broughton would step in and take over. The meeting progressed at a rapid pace. Items would be mentioned; then Miller or Broughton would call for a vote and then move on. All the votes were unanimous and everything seemed routine. Miller would read the item, it would receive a first and second the student trustee would vote and then the board members voted. On one or two occasions they would call a role call vote but most of the time they all said yes together. It felt to me as if everything had already been decided and they were just going through the motions.
10. Where on this agenda is policy being established?
The president asked for “New Board Policy 3715: Intellectual Property – Second Reading (see agenda handout). Although on the agenda, I don’t remember this being discussed. Perhaps if it were only referred to as a number I missed the introduction. The meeting progressed at a very rapid pace.
11. How is any conflict resolved?
Nothing was really “resolved.” Hayden said he wanted to go on record as being opposed to the cancellation of intersession but no one seemed to mind and the subject was dropped.
12. How are new issues introduced?
A possible new grant was discussed. They asked the department members to come to the table and explain the project. Most items followed this pattern, President Patton would introduce someone, they would come to the table and make a short statement, and the meeting would continue.
13. What role did students have at this meeting?
Other than the student trustee, they were not in attendance.
14. Human Resources – Were there any significant appointments made? Were any lay-offs proposed? Discuss.
Deas suggested that only essential positions be filled and a hiring “hold” be enforced. Deas said he did not want to use the term hiring “freeze” because there are always exceptions that need to be made. The statement was also made that the college plans to work through the financial crisis without laying off employees.
15. Budget Planning/Development – What items, if any, were presented in finalizing the 2008– 2009 budget? Who presented the budget items? Was there any public response? What comes next?
Over and over again Deas kept saying that although they were voting on a final budget, it was not really final because the college still had no idea what would happen in Sacramento. However, Deas said that cuts were certainly coming and the college needed to plan for three years of financial difficulty.
16. What impact will any decisions reached tonight have on curriculum and instruction or academic programs? Any direct impact on school leaders?
Some academic programs and classes are being eliminated and students will have fewer options. There is also an ongoing conversation between adjunct faculty and administration. Adjunct faculty feel that they are providing most of the teaching on campus but are not receiving the majority of the financial benefits. It has been strongly suggested that COD needs to hire more full-time teachers. The three year hiring “hold” will most likely add to the tension on campus between the full-time “haves” and the part-time “have-nots.”
17. What board meeting materials were made available to the public?
A “Budget Update” handout was passed out. I was told before the meeting I could print out an agenda outline. I was told the actual agenda was over two hundred pages.
18. In general, how would you describe this meeting?
It felt like a well oiled machine. The routine felt “memorized.” Everything was calm and no one raised their voice. However, something that occurred after the meeting suggested an internal conflict between board members. The board member took a break between the open and the closed sessions and most left the building to stand outside or go to the bathroom. I was required to leave during this segment and I stopped outside to turn on my cell phone and check for messages. While standing next to wall I overheard a conversation between Miller and Hayden. Hayden told Miller that Broughton was trying to take Miller’s job as Chair. Hayden said he didn’t mind if Broughton ran the meetings as long as Miller still had the “power.” I’m curious about the reference to “power” and wonder if some trustees have more rank or pull than the others. I also wondered if this were a person-to-person conflict or a male/female conflict.