Executive Board Minutes

ATTENDANCE: Ron Bixler, Rosemary Brinson, Lu Marla Dea, Allan Fisher, Gus Goldstein, Steve Goldston, Chris Hanzo, Kimberly Keenan, Jim McKinney, Ed Murray, Pablo Rodriguez, Rodger Scott, Kovak Williamson

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. at AFT2121 offices.

MINUTES: The minutes of 12/04/07 were approved.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Ed Murray is on the search committee for chancellor. Faculty have written letters proposing that Don Griffin stay on as interim chancellor. AFT2121 Executive Board Members are invited to attend a meeting of the search committee, and Kimberly Keenan volunteered to attend. There was consensus that Don Griffin continue as interim chancellor and that we should communicate our wish to the trustees. Ed noted that it’s too early to say we are in a budget crisis in spite of rumors to the contrary. The Governor has proposed a budget with severe cuts, but it has not been finalized. If we protest against the budget, Democrats are more likely to fight against it. We may need to march on Sacramento. We won’t know how serious the problem will be until June, and enough funds are in the District reserve to avoid a budget crisis.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER’S REPORTS: Lu Marla Dea reported on a meeting that she attended on the search for chancellor, where she spoke on the importance of keeping diversity and support of full-time jobs as desirables. She also defended part-time teaching experience as valid in considering a candidate for chancellor. Kovak Williamson noted that lead abatement is underway at John Adams and bidding has begun for new windows. Though bathrooms are included in the next phase of construction, Steve Goldston noted that temporary facilities are needed in the meantime. Kovak said he would bring the problem up at the upcoming John Adams renovation meeting. Kovak also noted that he will figure out a per diem expense for the CFT convention.

AFT2121 DIVERSITY CAUCUS: Kovak and Pablo Rodriguez reported that the flex day workshop and its message was well received, with 15 in attendance. Kovak thanked the participants. Another meeting is scheduled for Fri., Feb. 8, an independent flex day.

PROP 92 CAMPAIGN: Allan Fisher noted that many events are scheduled: a rally at Portsmouth Square on Sun., Jan. 27, at 1 p.m.; phone banking at the SF Labor Council; and leafleting at BART stations. Allan recommended that an Executive Board Member attend the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast to promote Prop 92. A fundraiser and rally are planned for Ocean Campus on Jan. 30. Ed commended Allan and Pablo and everyone’s efforts on the Prop 92 campaign. We should emphasize to students that passage of Prop 92 is important to keep fees down and can actually lower fees. Unfortunately, the CTA is fighting hard against Prop 92 and the Democratic Central Committee voted no on Prop 92.

PLANS FOR SEMESTER: The CFT convention is Apr. 11-14, and we would like 40-50 delegates to the convention. Resolutions for the convention must be submitted by February. We agreed that scheduling a rep training was unnecessary at this point.

AFT2121 ELECTIONS: The elections will include precinct reps, officers, and AFT convention delegates. Nominations will take place at the Mar. 18 General Membership Meeting, but nominations by form are due Mar. 13. The President and Vice President may submit statements of up to 250 words; and other officers are limited to 100 words. The elections committee meets on Jan. 22.

COPE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS: We need to arrange a meeting. Traditionally the Local has not endorsed supervisors, although there have been a few exceptions. The general consensus was that we not endorse any supervisors.

NEGOTIATIONS: Marc Kitchel reviewed a Community College League budget report and noted that the Governor is recommending $40 million in cuts that translate into about $1.3 million for CCSF. We could use our reserve to offset any reduction for this year, but next year we would feel the impact. However, it’s not clear that budget cuts will occur and how the budget would be apportioned. For example, we would be more affected by cuts in noncredit funding than cuts in growth funding. What happens depends on actions we take. We must make every effort to pass Prop 92.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: The part-timers committee is ranking its priorities and participating in the passage of Prop 92.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve Goldston, Secretary