CHANCELLOR'S REPORT

Chancellor Lynn Neault introduced California Senate District 39 Representative Sam Gonzalez from Senator Akilah Weber Pierson's office, who presented Board President Justeson with the 39th Senate District Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Community Leader Award. The Chancellor shared that the state is finalizing the 2025-2026 Budget in the coming days, and that we are anticipating that there may be changes from the May Revise. The Chancellor recognized and expressed her deep appreciation for District and college facilities, maintenance, and operations teams as being the District’s unsung heroes this past month, diligently working behind the scenes supporting the many beautiful year-end celebrations at both campuses.

BOARD ACTIONS

At the June Board meeting, the Governing Board:

• Administered the oath of office to Marcelia Villaseñor, Cuyamaca College Student Trustee, and Lu Tri Vi Huynh, Grossmont College Student Trustee.
• Heard public comment from Manuel Mancillas-Gomez, congratulating Marcelia Villaseñor on being elected to the Governing Board as the Cuyamaca College Student Trustee. He shared the family’s connection to Cuyamaca College, and congratulated both her and her mother on Marcelia’s journey and success.
• Heard public comment from Manuel Mancillas-Gomez, ESL Instructor at Cuyamaca College, who spoke about the success of his ESL project, focusing on bringing free ESL courses to families in Potrero and Campo.
• Heard public comment from Alfonso Carmona in support of the ESL project, the approval of adding ESL099AB to the course offerings, and continued institutional support from the District.
• Heard public comment from Gabby Chaydez, ESL student, who spoke on the value added by the ESL classes, and advocated for ESL099AB to be added to the course offerings.
• Heard public comment from Guillermo Colls, ESL Faculty at Cuyamaca College, who supported the addition of ESL099AB and acknowledged the continued support from the District.
• Heard public comment from Natalie Ray, Counselor at Grossmont College, with a statement titled “Solutions for Students,” discussing potential adjustments to processes to better facilitate registration and financial aid applications.
• Heard public comment from James Canady, Counselor at Grossmont College, Liza Kakos, EOPS Counselor at Cuyamaca College, Julie Schanze, Counselor at Grossmont College, and Michael Perez, EOPS Counselor at Grossmont College, about the positive impact of the Counseling Department in facilitating a 20% increase in awarded degrees and certifications for the 2024-2025 academic year. They also expressed support for the spirit of collaboration and gratitude for the opportunity to work with the students of the District.
• Provided special thanks and acknowledgment to Grossmont College President Denise Whisenhunt for her commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Board President Justeson thanked her for her empathy and grace during her tenure at Grossmont College.
• Heard public comment from Karen Marrujo, Cuyamaca College Academic Senate President, who shared her concerns on behalf of the academic senate about faculty involvement in District shared governance.
• Heard a report from Sharon Sampson, newly elected Academic Senate President for Grossmont College, who acknowledged the support and leadership of the Governing Board. She thanked President Debbie Justeson for attending several Grossmont events. She welcomed and encouraged the new students trustees, and thanked outgoing Grossmont College President Denise Whisenhunt for her support and willingness to listen to faculty concerns.
• Heard a report from Raymundo Quezada, Department Chair of Ethnic/Gender Social Studies Department, regarding a grant from the State of California for $50,000. He also spoke about excess funds that will go to support four faculty members and up to 30 students from the Ethnic Studies Department to travel to New Orleans in January 2026 to participate in a Study Away experience as part of ETHN 107 and HIST 115.
• Approved the Minutes of the May 20, 2025, Governing Board Workshop and Regular Meeting.
• Approved the Minutes of the June 3, 2025, Governing Board Special Closed Session Meeting.
• Approved the consent calendar agenda items.
• Adopted Resolution 25-010 In Support of Upholding Academic Freedom and Constructive Engagement, to uphold the values of academic freedom, protected academic practices, shared governance, and institutional integrity, as recommended by the Chancellor.
• Heard an introduction presented by Sahar Abushaban, Vice Chancellor of Business Services, regarding the District’s written investment plan.
• Heard an introduction presented by Sahar Abushaban, Vice Chancellor of Business Services, on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Program Self-Evaluation for the California State Preschool Program and the Child Care and Development Programs at Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College.
• Heard a report presented by Bárbara Gallego, Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Support Services, on projected course offerings between the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the College and Career Pathways (CCAP) partnership schools for 2025-2026. Details were provided regarding the CCAP Partnership Agreements between the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD), Bostonia Global High School, and Helix Charter High School (HCHS).
• Approved the College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) 2025-2026 projected course offerings between the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and partnership schools.
• Approved the 2025-2026 College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) Partnership Agreement between the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the following:
• The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD)
• Bostonia Global High School
• Helix Charter High School (HCHS) 
• Approved the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District 2025-2026 Tentative Budget and granted authority to the Chancellor to make changes to the 2025-2026 Tentative Budget prior to approval of the Adoption Budget, as recommended by the Chancellor.
• Approved the Master Agreement between Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges.
• Heard a report presented by the Chancellor, and ratified the action approving the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the amended and restated joint powers agreement creating the Water Conservation Garden Authority, and the continuation of funding and operations for The Water Conservation Garden.
• Ratified the action of the Chancellor in approving the Vehicle Donation Agreement between the Water Conservation Garden Authority and the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.
• Accepted a report on the current budget status, accepted related revenues or revisions, and granted authority to the Chancellor to budget these funds.
• Ratified the action of the Chancellor in approving the agreements, purchase orders and warrants issued during April 16, 2025, through May 15, 2025, payroll warrants issued during period of May 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025, and granted authority to execute appropriate documents, accept, budget, and spend any proceeds therefrom.
• Heard a report presented by Sahar Abushaban, Vice Chancellor of Business Services, on projects included in the District’s Five-Year Construction Plan 2027–2031.
• Granted authority to the Chancellor to submit the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District’s Five-Year Construction Plan 2027–2031, and Initial Project Proposals, to the State Chancellor’s Office.
• Granted authority to the Chancellor to: (a) Go out to Bid; (b) Award Bid B25.007 Grossmont College Hillside Improvement and Erosion Control to the lowest responsive bidder meeting all terms, conditions, and specifications; and (c) Execute appropriate contract documents prior to ratification by the Governing Board, at the next meeting following the bid opening.
• Granted authority to the Chancellor to: (a) Go out to Bid; (b) Award Bid B25.006 Districtwide Campus Entries Upgrades to the lowest responsive bidder meeting all terms, conditions, and specifications; and (c) Execute appropriate contract documents prior to ratification by the Governing Board, at the next meeting following the bid opening.
• Accepted a report presented by Sahar Abushaban, Vice Chancellor of Business Services, on the withdrawal of State Funding for Capital Construction of Instructional Building Phase I at Cuyamaca College, for unforeseen circumstances, excessive cost escalation, changing educational needs, and insufficient matching funds, as recommended by the Chancellor.
• Approved the withdrawal of State Funding for Capital Construction of Instructional Building Phase I at Cuyamaca College, for unforeseen circumstances, excessive cost escalation, changing educational needs, and insufficient matching funds, as recommended by the Chancellor.
• Approved the withdrawal of State Funding for Capital Construction of the Gymnasium Replacement Project at Grossmont College, for unforeseen infrastructure needs, excessive cost escalation, and insufficient matching funds, as recommended by the Chancellor.
• Ratified the action of the Chancellor in approving classified and academic personnel actions from May 16, 2025 - June 19, 2025.

GCCCD GOVERNING BOARD

Board President

Debbie Justeson

Board Vice President

Julie Schorr

Chancellor

Lynn Ceresino Neault, Ed.D.

Board Clerk

Elena Adams

Board Members

Brad Monroe

Desiree Klaar

Student Trustees

Lu Tri Vi Huynh

Grossmont College

Marcelia Villaseñor

Cuyamaca College

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