The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Board of Trustees held a regular meeting April 9 at district offices in Oakland. During the 50-minute meeting, the board approved funds towards a number of district construction projects, including the Laney College Central Utility Plant Upgrade Project, the Merritt College Child Development Center, and the Laney College Locker Room Improvements Interim Campus Project.

Professional development for classifieds sparks inspiration

PCCD hosted its first-ever “professional development day” for classified employees March 28 at College of Alameda. PCCD Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson said it was a “pleasure” to support classified staff at the event, praising its celebratory atmosphere during her regular board report.

“Dancing is a theme in this district now,” she remarked.

Hope Lane, Executive Assistant to the Laney College Vice President of Student Services, and Jamille Teer, Senior Secretary of Facilities, Maintenance and Operations, gifted members of leadership with a framed group photo of the day’s attendees at the board meeting.

Lane expressed her appreciation to the district for “allowing us to […] come together as a community of professionals, to team-build and establish relationships and develop personal self-care practices.”

Gilkerson promotes district job openings, celebrates funding package

In her report to the board, Chancellor Gilkerson highlighted three open leadership positions at PCCD: permanent College of Alameda President, PCCD Vice President of Human Resources, and PCCD Deputy Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer. This search remains active as of April 22 according to Gilkerson’s Monday video update.

“These executive level cabinet positions, reporting directly to me, represent pivotal roles in shaping the future of education in our district,” she said. “Please help us spread the word about these leadership opportunities.”

Gilkerson also announced the successful passage of a federal earmark of $850,000 in funds as part of an ongoing push for the “reimagining of California Community College police training.”

The new funding will support “curriculum revision and expansion of our outstanding Merritt College Administration of Justice program,” she said.

Sanceri addresses “rumors” and upcoming elections

Jeff Sanceri, President of the Peralta Federation of Teachers (PFT), made a statement during public comment that alluded to tensions between the PFT and the Board of Trustees, as well as “rumors” within the district.

Sanceri shared an anecdote about a previous email exchange involving former PFT President Jennifer Shanoski and “district admin, faculty, and the trustees” over class cuts and financial allocations.

“The district, instead of responding to the evidence presented, decided to respond with questions of their own,” Sanceri said. He further claimed that some members of the board “completely ignored” the messages, positing that “ignorance of the processes, intimidation from District leadership or even pettiness” had been influencing the board’s “silence” at that time.

“I relate this story to you here because the board’s unwillingness to engage and take seriously faculty and staff concerns is strikingly similar frankly to the current unconfirmed rumors that are swirling around our district right now,” Sanceri said. “I think our students, staff and faculty deserve a board that […] takes our concerns seriously without mocking us publicly.”

“This is an election year and we have four trustees who are up for re-election,” Sanceri reminded attendees, adding that the endorsements of the teacher’s union would be made based “not on personalities, but upon concrete actions of our board members like the ones described above.”

Sanceri declined The Citizen’s request for further elaboration on the rumors.

Consent Calendar
The consent calendar is a group of agenda items that the board moves to approve in one motion, rather than individually.

The board approved a $3 million budget increase for the Laney College Central Utility Plant Upgrade Project, bringing the total guaranteed maximum price of Peralta’s contract with Gilbane to $16 million. This increase will accommodate the addition of “improvements that were not originally contemplated” as well as installation of “fire alarm infrastructure” to adhere to design plans approved by the Division of the State Architect, according to a description of the agenda item.

The completion date of the Merritt College Child Development Center Project was delayed by 33 days to May 1 due to “unforeseen underground utility and live water lines unearthed during excavation,” according to the agenda item’s description. The board approved a release of an additional $195,293 to Wickman Development and Construction to compensate Wickman for “time impacts.” According to the meeting agenda, “it is anticipated that the Project completion date will be pushed out further in a subsequent change order.”

Trustees renewed College of Alameda’s WorkAbility III program, a “long” partnership between the California Department of Rehabilitation and CoA, for an additional three years through June 30, 2027. The $718,968 renewal agreement designates $239,656 per year for future programming, funding assistance for disabled individuals who are seeking jobs or in employment. At their April 23 meeting, the board also approved an amendment increasing the current WorkAbility contract, which runs through June 30, 2024, by $31,260, for a total of $656,488.

The board approved a release of $88,149.80 to Rodan Builders for the completion of the Laney College Locker Room Improvements Interim Campus Project. The original agreement approved “selective demolition, electrical work, data work, civil and site improvements, and minor landscaping work” for a modular building area to “temporarily [accommodate] athletic programs and other initiatives.”

The board also approved an agreement with Knowledge Saves Lives to conduct informational surveys with students, faculty, and classified professionals to inform and improve the District’s Public Safety Department. The agreement approves a release of $42,775 upon the June 30 completion of the contract.

The Acting Director of PCCD’s Gateway to College, Judit Trinidad Lopez, received an extended appointment through June 30, 2025, or “until the incumbent director returns to his position,” at $126,039 annually.