Rubi Martinez
The Los Angeles Community College District Board Of Trustees had more than enough reason to show enthusiasm during the Order of Business-Regular Meeting, which took place at Los Angeles Valley College, last week at 3:30 p.m.
The meeting lasted 45 minutes, but this did not stop the board and other participants of the meeting from addressing multiple agenda matters and expressing their excitement about the Proposition J, which was passed the night before.
“This is a great day here for us, not only because of some of the incredible things happening on the national level, but also some things happening on the local level,” said President of the LAVC Academic Senate Donald Gautheir. “Particularly, we are exited about the new bond.”
Proposition J was passed with nearly 70 percent of the votes and it gives $3.5 billion to LACCD colleges for construction of new buildings and renovations. It also creates new jobs and opportunities within the district. LACCD President of the Board of Trustees, Kelly G. Candaele, is pleased with the passage of this bond with the changes that it will bring to the district.
Candaele also expressed his gratitude to the board and the presidents of the colleges.
“I also want to thank Chancellor Drummond who work diligently to raise money to get the word out,” Candaele said.
The board authorized salary increases for faculty and all of the academic deans, according to Deputy Chancellor Adriana D. Barrera.
“We are still waiting on finishing negotiations with the other units,” Barrera said.
Among other topics discussed during the meeting, the approval of five service agreement contracts and three maintenance agreements for Pierce College were spoken of.
The service agreement contracts that are part of the instructional program are as follows:
? There are two contracts for $43,200. One with Kathleen A. Milnes to bring consulting services for the new curriculum of the Digital Arts and Media department and the second for consulting services with Stephen Hoye for Green and Alternative curriculum. Both are part of the Career and Technology Educational Improvement grant passed earlier this month.
? A $28,162 service agreement contract with Sprint/Nextel to purchase and provide airtime and maintenance of 911 cell phones as part of the school’s annual emergency plan.
? A renewal agreement with EBSCO subscription services for the library to provided newspapers and magazines for $17,750 to $35,759 with an additional cost of $18,00 for Oct. 15, to Oct. 14, 2009.
? An agreement with the Southern California Marine Institute for $7,525 to $9,454 with an additional cost of $1,929 for the rental of research Vessel as part of research for Science and Oceanography classes.
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT CONTRACTS
? Two contracts with Xerox CO. A $42,420 to $60,513 with a total additional cost agreement with Xerox Co. for maintenance of machines. The second contract is for $37,935 to $62,935 with an additional cost of $25,000 for maintenance of copy machines.
? The third contract is with Train, a Division of American Standard for $20,826 in maintenance and operations of three Train chillers.
The LACCD Board of Trustees will meet again Wednesday Nov. 19, at the District Office. The public session starts at 3:30 p.m.