School Board Responses

R1

All education districts should consider conducting an annual public review of the total compensation provided to their board members and address whether changes in compensation are warranted. The review should include a detailed breakdown of all components of that compensation, including meeting compensation, fees, stipends, allowances, health care or cash in lieu of health care, life insurance, employer-paid retirement plans, other post-retirement benefits, technology equipment and services, and any other form of compensation. Response The District agrees with the recommendation and will incorporate such a review in its annual self-evaluation. Explanation for Recommendation 1 The Governing Board’s compensation is established by California Education Code 72024. Based on the number of students the District serves annually, the maximum allowable compensation for each Governing Board member is $750 per month. Currently, each Governing Board member is paid $700 per month. Regarding other forms of compensation such as health care benefits and post-retirement benefits, the Governing Board already conducts an annual budget review and budget study session that analyzes all employee compensation costs including those made available to Governing Board members. Governing Board total compensation represents approximately .02 percent of our 2010-11 adopted budget of $174,664,949. In the past, the Governing Board has led by example during times of budgetary reductions by reducing its monthly compensation even further before approving reductions to employee salaries. For example, when the District was facing difficult financial circumstances in 2004, the Governing Board voted to reduce its monthly compensation 25% to $525 per month before discussing and approving reductions for District employees. As the salary for all District employees was restored, so to was the Board member compensation. Contra Costa Community College District 500 Court Street, Martinez, California 94553 925.229.1000 www.4cd.edu CCCCD Response to Grand Jury Report No. 1204 07/19/12 Page: 3

R2

As part of the public annual review discussed in Recommendation 1, all districts should consider reviewing their board travel, mileage, training and other reimbursed expenses to verify that they were necessary. Response The District disagrees with the recommendation. It will not be implemented because it is not warranted or needed. Explanation for Recommendation 2 Board member travel and professional development expenses are not significant when set against the 2010-11 District budget of $174,554,949. The District currently and always has, on an annual basis, established a budget for Governing Board travel, training, and other reimbursable expenses. For FY 2010-11, the District allocated $13,000 for all five Governing Board members, averaging $2,600 per member. The District is committed to ensuring appropriate opportunities for continued professional development are provided to employees and Governing Board members, consistent with the institutional mission and accreditation expectations. The expenses of the Governing Board are managed and monitored by the chancellor, with travel and training accommodations coordinated by the chancellor’s administrative assistant. Travel and training opportunities are discussed during public Governing Board meetings, and related expenditures are reviewed by the chancellor throughout the year to ensure these expenses are appropriate and stay within budget. These expenses can vary year-to-year, particularly when new Governing Board members are elected and require additional professional development opportunities so they can effectively lead the District.

R3

As part of the public annual review discussed in Recommendation 1, districts that provide health care benefits should consider whether it is appropriate to provide such benefits to their elected board members. Response The District disagrees with the recommendation. It will not be implemented because it is not warranted or needed. Explanation for Recommendation 3 Health care benefits for Board members have been offered, in compliance with Education Code, since 1989 — a practice of 23 years. Governing Board members provide a very important function for the District, no less important than any other full-time employee. The expense of Board member health care benefits represents approximately .02 percent of the 2010-11 District budget, and total Board member compensation (monthly compensation plus health care) represents .05% of the 2010-11 District budget — not significant in terms of the budget or statewide practice, but especially not significant when one considers the service provided. While they are not employees of the District, but rather elected officials, the District recognizes their important contribution by extending them the opportunity to participate in the District’s benefit package as if they were full-time, active employees. This decision is codified in Governing Board Policy 2051, District-Paid Group Insurance Plans for Managers, Supervisors, Confidential Employees and Governing Board Members, and in Human Resources Procedure 4000.01, Governing Board Members’ Compensation. These and other policies and procedures are public documents that are available on the District’s public website. They are reviewed on a regular basis, with revisions made as needed. Board Policy 2051 was last reviewed in 2011, and the last time revisions were made to this Contra Costa Community College District 500 Court Street, Martinez, California 94553 925.229.1000 www.4cd.edu CCCCD Response to Grand Jury Report No. 1204 07/19/12 Page: 4 policy occurred in 2004. Any changes in District policies and procedures, including those covering Governing Board compensation, must go through the District's shared governance process, and heard twice at public Governing Board meetings for public review and comment before they are approved. As stated in our earlier responses, the expense of compensation and health benefits are a major cost to the District, and we will continue to monitor and assess this expense on an annual basis. Lastly, | would like to clarify a point made in the background section of Grand Jury Report 1204, indicating the District has increased the per unit fee from $20 to $36, or by 80 percent. In California, only the State Chancellor’s Office has the authority to raise community college tuition fees, not the District. The Contra Costa Community College District appreciates the Grand Jury's interest in education board compensation. We are fully aware of the rising cost for compensation and health benefit for employees and members of the Governing Board, and understand the importance of spending our resources wisely at all times, especially during this difficult fiscal time. We welcome the opportunity to address any questions the Grand Jury may have regarding our responses. Please do not hesitate to contact me (925-229-6820,email [email protected]) or Timothy Leong (925-229-6523, email [email protected]) should you have any further questions. Sincerely, Mel feapen Helen Benjamin, Ph.D. Chancellor cc: Governing Board ahd 2011 © GOLD Thi face has beet ed by the A i" . a » Pa eee een Contra Costa Community College District 500 Court Street, Martinez, California 94553 925.229.1000 www.4cd.edu [Ti (le Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ; Gaal OFFICE of EDUCATION 77 Santa Barbara Road « Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 « (925) 942-3388 July 18, 2012 Lloyd Bell, Foreperson Court Street P.O. Box 911 Martinez, CA 94553 Re: Responses to 2011-12 Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report No. 1204 Findings and Recommendations Dear Foreperson Bell: Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the Contra Costa County Governing Board (Governing Board) files this response with regard to the 2011-12 Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report #1204 Findings and Recommendations.