District Finalizes Layoffs, Advances Energy Overhaul as Professor Pleads to Keep His Job

The Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees moved through a packed May 13 agenda that put the human cost of budget decisions on full display — from a 30-year music professor begging to undo a retirement he says he filed by mistake during surgical recovery, to a union leader naming the one classified employee still facing layoff after 20 years of service. Amid the difficult personnel actions, the Board also celebrated record-setting graduations, $2.1 million in annual energy savings, and an outgoing student trustee whose advocacy journey began at age 15.

• Board adopts three final layoff resolutions; one classified employee remains affected after 118 of 119 notices resolved

• DVC music professor pleads with Board to pull retirement filed during post-surgical recovery; consent agenda passes over objections

• Faculty union urges district to "double down" on full-time hiring as workload grows

• District reports $2.1M in annual avoided energy costs; Measure E bond 95% committed

• LMC shatters completion records with 2,754 awards; CCC student wins $55K scholarship to UC Berkeley

• Board authorizes ACCO Engineered Systems for HVAC electrification and controls upgrades at CCC and DVC

• Trustee Barrett reports baccalaureate legislation could open nursing degrees at community colleges

Layoffs Land: Board Finalizes Cuts

The Board adopted three final layoff resolutions covering classified, academic, and management employees — the culmination of a process that began earlier this year and required final notices by May 15.

Where things stand: Dr. Jeffrey Michaels, Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer, reported that the district resolved 118 of 119 classified layoff notices through rescissions, vacancy placements, or promotions, working in partnership with Local 1. "Of the 119 layoff notices that we provided to classified as part of this process, 118 of them have been resolved," said Dr. Michaels. "Either they've been rescinded because there's no longer a risk of bumping anyone, or we found vacancies or positions that people moved into."

One classified employee — identified by Jeanie Smith, President of Local 1, as Cynthia Chavaria, a 20-year district employee — still faces layoff effective July 1 and will be placed on the 39-month re-employment list. One faculty position and three management positions are also affected under the separate academic and management resolutions.

Smith put a name and a face on the numbers. "Cynthia Chavaria is on tonight's agenda to receive a layoff notice," she said. "We want the board to know that we see her not just as a line item on the agenda, but as a person who has given her time and talent to this community."

Trustee Andy Li acknowledged the weight of the vote. "This is not easy decision. Although you may hear words yes or no, the decision is not easy decision. And we don't treat any of our employees just as a number," he said.

Decisions: The classified layoff resolution (22B) passed 3-0-1, with Trustee Rebecca Barrett abstaining and Secretary John Marquez absent. The academic employee resolution (22C) and management position elimination (22D) both passed 4-0, Marquez absent.

What's next: Final layoff notices must be served by May 15. The affected classified employee retains 39-month re-employment list rights under state law.

"Five Hours Should Not Erase Three Decades": Music Professor Fights Retirement

Professor Bruce Cook, a 30-year tenured music professor at DVC, made an emotional plea for the Board to pull his retirement from the consent agenda, arguing he filed it in error during recovery from major knee surgery.

Where things stand: Cook explained he submitted a retirement letter on April 16 while recovering from surgery, then rescinded it by email five hours later. He followed up with meetings with Dr. Michaels and DVC President Dr. Monica Chahal, who told him the resignation could not be rescinded. He has since undergone a second surgery — on his hip — and stated clearly that he does not want to retire.

"A brief five-hour oversight made while managing consecutive surgical recoveries and strict deadlines should not be used to erase three decades of my dedicated career in this district," Cook told the Board.

The other side: Cook's attorney, Scott Handelman, argued there was no urgency to accept the retirement, saying, "I don't think there's any reason why you couldn't let him off the hook for this."

Trustee Barrett asked whether the item could be pulled from the consent agenda but was told it was the Board's determination. The Board did not pull it. Student Trustee Sophie Khouri cast an advisory no vote on the consent agenda, which passed 4-0 with Marquez absent — Cook's retirement included.

Why it matters: The case raises questions about whether irrevocable personnel actions should proceed when submitted under documented medical duress and rescinded within hours.

$2.1M in Annual Savings: District Reports Sustainability Gains, Bond Nearly Spent

The Board received a comprehensive facilities and sustainability update showing the district is on track for its 2035 decarbonization goal, with Measure E bond dollars nearly fully committed.

The basics: Measure E, the district's voter-approved capital bond, stands at $441 million committed of $465 million — roughly 95% deployed. Major projects include the DVC Engineering Technology building (on track for spring 2027), the CCC library HVAC electrification, and the Brentwood solar PV and battery storage installation, which is complete and generating $120,000 per year in savings.

Why it matters: District utility costs doubled over four years, but the facilities team has fought back. Tracy Marcial, District Energy Sustainability Manager, detailed the results: "We're saving like 19% in that cost right there. So we're on track to get that $675,000 savings that we talked about last year from just simply changing our provider."

The district's energy use intensity dropped from 80 to 65 since 2014, avoiding $991,000 annually. Solar PV avoids an additional $1 million. The Higher Education Efficiency Performance Program contributes roughly $120,000 in operational savings. Combined, the district avoids more than $2.1 million in annual utility costs. Katherine Chen of Facilities Planning presented data showing greenhouse gas emissions declining toward the 2035 zero goal, and the district expects over $100,000 in one-time utility tax refunds from the provider switch.

Trustee Barrett suggested the Board hold an annual Earth Day sustainability check-in. Trustee Li relayed that conservative bond oversight committee members — including a member of the Contra Costa Taxpayer Association and a former mayor — praised the facilities team.

The Board also authorized a resolution for ACCO Engineered Systems to perform a districtwide HVAC mechanical and controls upgrade at DVC and CCC, including electrification of CCC's library heating system. The project, which followed a full RFQ/RFP process under Government Code 4217, is expected to yield approximately 20% energy reduction and $85,000 in annual savings. Construction is targeted for winter and spring breaks to minimize disruption. The resolution passed 4-0, Marquez absent.

Faculty Union: "Double Down" on Full-Time Hiring

Marina Crouse, President of United Faculty, used her employee organization report to push the Board on a growing concern: the gap between expanding faculty workload and the number of full-time positions.

"As workload increases and creeps in almost all areas of faculty work, it's important to remember the need for more full-time faculty is still urgent and important," Crouse said. "I want to urge both the board and the colleges to double down on a commitment to increase full-time faculty numbers. More full-time faculty, any way you slice it, is better for students."

Crouse also noted that faculty are the first responders during campus crises — citing the recent Canvas learning management system shutdown — and announced United Faculty's 50th anniversary celebration, set for Oct. 5 at the Pleasant Hill Community Center.

Local 1 President Jeanie Smith also put on record the union's interest in working with the district on interpreter compensation, noting many classified employees provide language services beyond their job descriptions without corresponding pay.

Student Interns Pitch Equity Reforms to Board

Four United Faculty student interns — the program's 11th cohort — brought advocacy proposals directly to the Board during public comment. Mary Johnson, UF governing board representative and internship coordinator, introduced the group.

Max Stanley, a CCC student, pitched priority registration for international students, who must maintain at least nine in-person units per visa requirements but often find classes full by the time they register. "International students have to take at minimum nine in-person units per their visa requirements. At CCC, we don't have that many in-person classes. This means that by the time many students register, those classes are already full for their major," Stanley said. He noted that student government officers already receive priority registration and proposed amending Student Services Procedure 3001 to extend the same benefit to international students forced to take irrelevant courses at high non-resident tuition.

Lorenzo Jackson, a DVC student, argued that human connection matters more than ever in the age of AI, proposing student-faculty coffee chats, office hours awareness campaigns, and mentorship programs. Eric Perez, also from DVC, proposed designating non-public campus spaces with signage, written policy definitions, and know-your-rights materials to protect student records, counseling areas, and vulnerable populations. Riley Wilson, a CCC student, proposed student sleep rooms, citing research that 70% of college students are sleep-deprived and noting the particular needs of housing-insecure students. She proposed a pilot in the Student Life Center using reclining chairs with 15- to 30-minute reservation sessions.

Record Graduations, $55K Scholarship Anchor College Reports

Los Medanos College shattered its completion record. Dr. Pamela Ralston, President of LMC, reported 1,622 graduates earning 2,754 awards. Spring enrollment was up 4.8%, summer was at 93% of the FTE target, and fall is tracking 10% above the prior year. LMC's educational strategic plan was formally approved by shared governance.

At Contra Costa College, Vice President Jason Berner reported a 6.3% spring headcount increase, summer enrollment at more than 70% capacity, and a standout student achievement: Mykyta Motin won the $55,000-per-year Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship to UC Berkeley for chemical engineering. KQED also named CCC's Aqua Terra restaurant one of the 25 great Bay Area meals for $25 or less.

DVC President Dr. Monica Chahal highlighted an international student transfer fair attended by more than 130 students, a new diaper program through the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services office, and a 16.5% inquiry-to-enrollment conversion rate through targeted recruitment.

Barrett: Baccalaureate Bill Could Open Nursing Degrees at Community Colleges

Trustee Rebecca Barrett reported from the state chancellor's office baccalaureate working group that a Sen. Cabaldon bill would allow community colleges to issue baccalaureate degrees in impacted CSU majors within their service area. "He wrote it to say community colleges could only issue baccalaureate degrees in impacted majors of a CSU campus in their service area. Coincidentally, that is nursing at every CSU," Barrett said.

She noted rhetoric between the community college and CSU systems is "smoothing out slightly" and flagged that the governor's May Revise — with Proposition 98 funding implications — was due the following day.

Board President Diana Honig reported attending AI presentations, including one by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan's committee and the East Bay Leadership Council, emphasizing workforce development implications. She also marked Jewish American Heritage Month, noting the community's experience of record-high hate incidents.

Trustee Li described a successful Chinese Community Forum at the San Ramon campus, with nearly 50 attendees, promoting dual enrollment. He also discussed outreach to the American Legion for veteran partnerships and spoke about the Asian American experience: "A lot of people take us as a foreigner, but we work hard and this is our country."

Board Celebrates Student Trustee Sophie Khouri

The Board honored outgoing Student Trustee Sophie Khouri, who reflected on a journey that began at age 15 when she advocated at the district office for Middle Eastern North African students. She campaigned on basic needs and mental health, was published in the CSU Fullerton Leadership Institute journal before turning 18, and made legislative visits in Sacramento. Khouri is transferring to San Francisco State University.

Trustee Barrett praised Khouri for confronting power while staying true to her beliefs. Board President Honig acknowledged the challenge of transitioning from advocate to representative leader. The Board presented Khouri with a certificate and graduation stole, followed by a break for Palestinian treats.

Minor Items

• College foundation audits: All three foundations (CCC, DVC, LMC) received unmodified (clean) opinions from Eide Bailly LLP with no adjustments. DVC Foundation reversed three years of negative unrestricted net assets to positive $222,000. Passed unanimously by voice.

• IT Director classification update: Board approved upgrading the Director of Administrative Information Systems from M6 to M8 salary range (~$18,000 annual impact) to reflect cybersecurity and data privacy duties. Position description was last updated in 2007. Executive Vice Chancellor Kelly Shalim warned of a wave of coming technology department retirements.

• AB 540 and undocumented students: Dr. Mandy Leung, Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Services, presented an informational report on districtwide support services, requested by Trustee Barrett.

• Consent agenda (13B–18B): Passed 4-0, Marquez absent. Includes $1.32 million in purchase orders, $22.2 million payroll ratification, a new Biology 2.0 transfer degree at CCC, a UC 7 certificate at DVC, and seven faculty sabbaticals at approximately $195,000.

• Budget transfers and quarterly financial status report (21B, 21C): Approved with no discussion.

• Financial aid policy update (23B): Second reading approved.

• Records management (23A): Routine destruction of expired records authorized.

• Resolutions: AANHPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month resolutions adopted.

• Closed session actions: Board allowed a student to complete two online courses before expulsion (Li abstained); denied claim No. 671670 unanimously.