And welcome to Fall Semester! I hope these first few weeks have been inspiring and motivational to continue our work serving students and collectively plant the seeds that shape our future. This year, I walked the campuses on the first day of classes, accompanied by all three college Presidents. The campus atmospheres were electric, exciting, and buzzing with a spirit of new beginnings. Student energy and curiosity were in full force! It was a joy to connect with students alongside the presidents, faculty, staff, and administrators and to soak in the vibrancy and curiosity from students that often define the start of a new academic year. Our commitment to our students is never more obvious than on the first day of classes as we collectively set the tone for an incredible semester. Thank you all—here’s to a productive and forward-thinking semester ahead!






Garden of the Future:
Planting Seeds for Student Success

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Opening Day at SMCCCD’s Garden of the Future! It was an incredible start to the semester, filled with optimism and promise. Over 500 of us attended, including Zoom attendees.
This year, our theme was the Garden of the Future. Each speaker planted seeds for our future. I asked all of us to think about what seeds you intend to plant to help us shape this great District’s future. Over the next three to five years, I proposed we focus on three concepts: Technology/Innovation/AI, Sustainability & Cleantech, and Democracy & Academic Freedom.
We will be taking these “seeds” on the road to share with our campus and external communities to solicit feedback and encourage thought partnership during our Fall Strategic Planning Tour. I believe these three areas could be crucial for keeping our educational programs aligned with the ever-evolving workforce demands and ensuring our students are well-prepared to become our future leaders. I am ready to hear what you think!
If you’re curious to dive deeper into the highlights of Opening Day, you can view the District’s recording through this link: District Opening Day Recording Passcode: X.n1$Xnx




Board Corner
“The Board Corner” is a regular feature of this blog to help you stay informed about discussions and decisions that frequently impact our work. Giving up a Wednesday evening to watch a board meeting may not be feasible for everyone, so we have summarized the topics and actions of past Board of Trustees meetings, study sessions, and retreats in an effort to improve transparency. All Board meetings, except retreats, are recorded and posted to the Board Meeting Videos webpage.
Regular Meeting: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Approval of Minutes: (ACTION: All items approved)
- 9.1 Approval of Minutes from May 22, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
- 9.2 Approval of Minutes from June 26, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
New Business: (ACTION: All items approved)
- 10.1 Acceptance and Approval of Revised 2024 Board of Trustees Meeting Dates
- 10.2 Setting of Board of Trustees Meeting Dates for 2025
- 10.3 Approval of Salary Adjustments for FY 24-25 for Employees in the San Mateo Community College Federation of Teachers, Local 1493, AFT, AFL-CIO Bargaining Unit
- 10.4 Approval of Personnel Items
Approval of Consent Agenda: (ACTION: All items approved)
- 11.1 Acceptance of Gifts and Donations by the District: 2016 Nissan Leaf for the Skyline College Automotive Program
- 11.2 Acceptance of $200,000 in Grant Funds from The California Community College Chancellor’s Office Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative (IEPI) to Support Professional Development at Cañada College
- 11.3 Approval of Contract Award for Districtwide Water Treatment Program and Chemicals for Cooling and Heating Systems
Other Recommendations: (ACTION: All items approved)
- 12.1 Approval of Interim Board Policy and Administrative Procedure 3510 – Workplace Violence
- 12.2 Approval of Contract Award for Construction Services for Skyline College Distributed Antenna System Implementation Phase 2 – Low Voltage Cabling Installation
Discussion Items
- 13.1 Report on the Development of Workplace Violence Prevention Plan
- 13.2 Update on Districtwide Student Housing at College of San Mateo
- 13.3 Update on Student Food Insecurity Support Program
- 13.4 First Read of Board Policy and Administrative Procedure 6410 – Performance Audits
Regular Meeting: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
New Business: (ACTION: All items approved)
- 10.1 Approval of Personnel Items
- Approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Regarding Part-Time Faculty Health Insurance Program Between the San Mateo County Community College District and the San Mateo Community College Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1493
Approval of Consent Agenda: (ACTION: All items approved)
- 11.1 Adoption of the 2027-2028 Academic Calendar
- 11.2 Approval of Agreement with San Mateo Union High School District Regarding Middle College at Skyline College
- 11.3 Approval of Agreement with South San Francisco Unified School District Regarding Middle College at Skyline College
- 11.4 Approval of Agreement with Jefferson Union High School District Regarding Middle College at Skyline College
- 11.5 Ratification of March and April 2024 District Warrants
- 11.6 Curricular Additions, Deletions and Modifications – Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College
- 11.7 Disposition of District Records
- 11.8 Approval to Reject All Bids and Rebid Skyline College Distributed Antenna System Implementation Phase 2 – Low Voltage Cabling Installation
- 11.9 Approval of Contract Award for the 2024-2025 Student Accidental Injury Insurance Program with Granite Student Insurance Services, Inc.
Other Recommendations: (ACTION: All items approved)
- 12.1 Second Read and Adoption of Values Note: This item was 12.13, but was moved up in agenda and became 12.1.
- 12.2 Adoption of Resolution No. 24-11 Authorizing Internal Borrowing for the Period July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- 12.3 Adoption of Resolution No. 24-12 Establishing the 2024-2025 Appropriations Limit
- 12.4 Adoption of Resolution No. 24-13 Authorizing Budget Revisions and Transfers for 2023-2024 for the Period Ending April 30, 2024
- 12.5 Adoption of Resolution No. 24-15 Honoring Pride Month
- 12.6 Adoption of Resolution No. 24-16 Honoring Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month
- 12.7 Adoption of Resolution No. 24-18 Calling for an Election to be Held on November 5, 2024, for the Election of Three Members of the Governing Board of the San Mateo County Community College District
- 12.8 Approval of 2026-2030 Five-Year Capital Construction Plan
- 12.9 Revision of Board Policy 2310 – Regular Meetings of the Board
- 12.10 Ratification of Agreement with ZRG Partners, LLC, dba The Registry for Cañada College Interim Vice President of Student Services
- 12.11 Adoption of the 2024-2025 Tentative Budget and Suspension of Parking Fees, Parking Permit-Related Citations, and Student Health Fees for 2024-2025
- 12.12 Approval of Sole Source Purchase with BMTX, Inc. for Identity Verification Services
- 12.13 Recommendation to Approve College of San Mateo and Cañada College Athletic Centers Monthly Fee and Plan Revisions
- 12.14 Approval of Contract Award for Architectural Services for Cañada College Child Development Center
Discussion Items
- 13.1 First Read of Board of Trustees Meeting Dates for 2025
- 13.2 Cañada College Funeral Services Education Program Status Update
- 13.3 College of San Mateo Nursing Program Update
Regular Meeting: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Approval of Minutes
- 12.1 Approval of Minutes from April 24, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees (ACTION: Approved)
New Business: (ACTION: All items approved)
- 13.1 Approval of Personnel Items
- 13.2 Approval of Revision to Miscellaneous Pay Rates Salary Schedule
- 13.3 Consideration and Approval of College of San Mateo President Employment Agreement
Approval of Consent Agenda: (ACTION: All items approved)
- 14.1 Approval of Service Award for 2023-2024 Student Trustee Arthur Veloso Nepumuceno da Silva
- 14.2 Curricular Additions, Deletions and Modifications – Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College
- 14.3 Authorization to Execute Contract with Constellation Newenergy – Gas Division, LLC for Provision of Non-Core Natural Gas Energy Services Districtwide
- 14.4 Acceptance of Grant Funds from the Regional K-16 Collaboratives Grant Program
Other Recommendations
- 15.1 Adoption of Resolution 24-08: Supporting Loneliness as a Public Health Crisis in San Mateo County (ACTION: Approved)
- 15.2 Adoption of Resolution 24-09: Resolution in Honor of Jewish American Heritage Month (ACTION: Approved)
- 15.3 Adoption of Resolution 24-10: Resolution in Honor of Classified School Employee Week (ACTION: Approved)
- 15.4 Revisions to the Agreement between SMCCCD and San Mateo Colleges Educational Housing Corporation (ACTION: Approved)
- 15.5 Adoption of Performance Auditor 2024-2025 Annual Plan (ACTION: Approved)
- 15.6 Create Ad Hoc Committee on Further Compensation Study (ACTION: Approved)
- 15.7 Approval of Sole Source Contract Renewal with Evisions (ACTION: Approved) ACTIONS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 4
- 15.8 Temporary Suspension of Board Policy 6.04 – Minimum Class Size Guidelines (ACTION: Approved)
- 15.9 Approval to Leave Direct Access with Consellation Newenergy, Inc. and Switch to Peninsula Clean Energy for Provision of Districtwide Electricity Energy Services (ACTION: Approved)
- 15.10 Approval of College of San Mateo and Cañada College Athletic Centers Monthly Fee and Plan Revisions (ACTION: Not Approved; Item tabled to discuss at June 26 meeting)
Discussion Items
- 16.1 Discussion of Mission Statement and Values
- 16.2 Requirements for Board of Trustees Self-Evaluation
- 16.3 Auxiliary Operations Financial Summary for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2024
- 16.4 District Financial Summary for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2024