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Sierra College vocational ed programs may survive, but barely

Laurel Rosenhall @ March 9, 2010 # Comments Off

RANDY PENCH rpench@sacbee.com
Automotive student Omar Taraki uses a pressure washer in a vocational education class last month at Sierra College. Trustees will vote tonight on major budget cuts, including vocational education staff jobs.

Three Sierra College vocational programs slated for closure last month could remain open for at least another year if trustees vote tonight to rescind some layoff notices.

The college will spend the next several months reviewing the agriculture, automotive and construction programs to determine whether to eliminate or revive them, said President Leo Chavez. For now, he said, “We’re going to keep all three in a greatly reduced form.”

Chavez is asking trustees to rescind layoff notices for seven of the 35 people who received them last month. That would keep full-time faculty teaching the agriculture, automotive and construction classes. But course offerings would be reduced because the college still plans to get rid of part-time instructors and support staff for those departments.

“The bottom line is the student is going to lose 40 percent of the classes, because I need staffing to support the laboratories,” said Alex Wong, an automotive teacher whose job could be saved tonight by the board.

“I’m glad that the program survived, but I feel very badly for the student who is getting stuck in the system and not going to graduate on time.”

Sierra College had considered eliminating the programs as part of a larger plan to close an $11.2 million deficit for the coming year. Keeping the seven faculty members employed will cost the college roughly $500,000, Chavez said, which will likely come out of reserves.

Sierra College officials will review the programs over the next several months and ask the board to vote on their fate again – possibly in November.

One possible outcome, Chavez said, is that some vocational programs could become privatized. Students would pay the entire cost of the course instead of the standard $26 per unit.

“It may be that the class is not going to go away but that we’ll offer it in a different form,” Chavez said.

Sierra, like many community colleges, already offers so-called “community education” courses, which do not get any state funds because they charge fees that cover the cost of teaching and administering them. Motorcycle, cooking and photography classes are taught through that model at Sierra College.

But there is no guarantee that the programs will last past next year, Chavez said. He said the college may end up cutting several more programs, depending on the state budget.

“Do you take declining resources and spread them over the same number of programs? (Or) on the other hand … what programs do you eliminate in order to keep the other programs strong and vital?” Chavez said.

“Our budget situation has gotten us to the point where that question is rising to the forefront. We can’t expect to keep taking money out of our operation and expect everything to stay the same.”

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Quilting donations sought as part of foothills theater production

Cathy Locke @ March 6, 2010 # Comments Off

A foothills theater troupe plans to incorporate the art of quilting in an upcoming production and seeks donations of fabric for the project.

The musical “Quilters,” originally presented in Placerville in 1987, will return in March 2011 as a production of Imagination Theater, in conjunction with Ensemble Theatre Co.

Written by Barbara Damashek and Molly Newman, “Quilters” is the story of the courageous women who moved west to help settle this country, recording “pieces of their lives” through the work of their hands, according to an Imagination Theatre news release. Their quilt blocks are first presented individually to represent episodes in their lives. The blocks eventually form a quilt that combines all of their stories into one.

Chrissie Addison, director for the 2011 production, was in the original cast. For the 1987 production, local quilters donated their time to construct the quilt blocks. Addison intends to again tap local talent to create the quilts but plans to add another element. Because the finished quilt is called the “legacy” quilt, she wants it to be made from donated fabric.

Anyone who has a favorite scrap of cotton or other soft, non-synthetic fabric that they would be willing to part with is encouraged to donate it. Donated material could be yardage, but it could also be skirts, tablecloths, aprons or anything that could be cut up and re-used.

If there is a story behind the fabric, donors are encouraged to share it by including a short note.

Although auditions for “Quilters” won’t be held until late October, Addison and her staff are preparing for the musical. They will begin collecting fabric March 15 so quilting volunteers have plenty of time for their work.

Fabric can be dropped off at the Imagination Theater office at 100 Placerville Drive, on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, or at the Mountain Democrat office, 1360 Broadway, Placerville.

For more information or to volunteer to work on “Quilters”, e-mail Chrissie Addison at foothillsinger@comcast.net.

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Budget woes imperil Lincoln’s libraries

Ed Fletcher @ February 23, 2010 # Comments Off

The 101-year-old Carnegie Library is a Lincoln landmark, but it might be in danger of closing permanently because of the city’s budget deficit. About 60 people gathered there last week for a “Save the Library” rally.

For 101 years, Lincoln’s Carnegie Library has been the cultural and geographic center of the growing Placer County community.

But as city leaders face another year of budget deficits, Lincoln residents fear the historic brick façade library could close for good.

“My fear is that if they ever close the doors, they will never reopen,” said Diana Burke, a lifelong resident who runs a nearby restaurant and catering company.

With the city facing the potential of budget cuts as deep or deeper than the 27 percent reduction endured last year, officials aren’t ruling anything out.

“All I can say right now is that we are (looking) at everything right now,” said Councilman Spencer Short. “(Closing) is a possibility. We are also looking at police and fire.”

Last year, the council was forced to pare back an $18 million general fund budget to $13.1 million for the budget year that ends June 30. That required the city to lay off 25 employees, including five police officers. Employees also agreed to a 5 percent salary cut through employee furloughs.

Short and the city’s new chief financial officer now say they didn’t cut deep enough. That budget assumed sales taxes would drop 3 percent. The drop is closer to 12 percent to 13 percent. Officials also say they relied too heavily on reserves that are now all but tapped.

Short said the city was hoping for a quicker recovery, a dream that won’t materialize in time to save it from painful cuts as budget season nears.

The City Council will get a midyear budget update today. The best the city can hope for is an $800,000 deficit. But as Lincoln’s chief budget officer Anna Jatczak admits, that is based on some rosy assumptions. It assumes that revenue and spending from the 2009-10 budget year remain flat and employee unions forgo contract-prescribed raises.

“That is an $800,000 best-case scenario that does not take into account any revenue reductions,” said Jatczak, who recently came to the city from Gilroy.

Even the Twelve Bridges Library – a gleaming example of what the city hopes to become – isn’t safe from severe cuts.

In 2007, thanks to a joint partnership with Rocklin’s Sierra College and the Western Placer Unified School District, the state-of-the-art library opened on the city’s new-growth south side of town. But pooled funding won’t save it from drastic cuts, either. Sierra College, facing its own budget nightmare, is cutting its normal $250,000 annual contribution by half.

Construction of the $17 million, 37,500-square-foot library was aided by $10.4 million in state library bond money.

The glass-and-stone façade building stands like a watchtower over open fields waiting for the economy to turn around. The Western Placer District eventually plans to build a high school on the property to utilize the library.

Brian Haley, Sierra College’s dean of libraries, said when the economy turns around, the college still plans on building a Lincoln campus, allowing the library to serve as an anchor.

And in light of the campus budget crunch, reducing the funding for Twelve Bridges makes sense, he said.

“The president felt you can’t do full funding of the library if you are cutting programs and people,” Haley said.

When open, the library is well used by Lincoln and Rocklin residents living in recently built suburban tract homes.

“They better not close this one,” said Rocklin resident Sandra Whitehead, as she corralled her kids after a recent visit. “I have four kids that love coming here.”

Both libraries’ hours already have been cut. The Carnegie Library is open 16 hours a week, while the Twelve Bridges Library is open 26 hours a week.

Library director Darla Wegener said it’s still early in the process, but she’s evaluating all options, including eliminating all extra programs. Under that scenario, the libraries would solely lend books and answer reference questions. Currently, the library’s calendar is crowded with book readings, workshops and family-friendly movie nights.

About 60 people gathered across town at Carnegie Library last week for a “Save the Library” rally. Lincoln resident and Friends of the Library board member David Anderson urged the city to not act rashly and close a “gem” of a library.

Shopowner Burke was there in spirit.

She said she grew up walking to the Carnegie Library and now her grandchildren love nothing more than to walk to the quirky old-style library to pick out a book.

As more people lose jobs, libraries become even more important to the community as they seek to update skills, find a job or consider a move to another city, Wegener said.

“There are two things about these economic times,” Wegener said. “Libraries are needed more and there is not enough money for libraries.”

Pete Kochis of Rocklin and his daughters Kelly, 5, and Katie, 1, peruse the shelves at Lincoln’s Twelve Bridges Library, which opened in 2007 and cost $17 million to build. The library faces reduced funding as the city of Lincoln grapples with the potential of budget cuts as deep or deeper than the 27 percent reduction in 2009.

Denise Lowe of Lincoln visits the Carnegie Library once a week. Hours at the historic branch were cut to 16 per week. Hours at the state-of-the-art Twelve Bridges Library across town were cut to 26 per week.

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Roseville officers allege harassment of gays

Ed Fletcher @ February 23, 2010 # Comments Off

The city of Roseville is being sued by two police officers and one former officer who allege the Police Department discriminates against officers who are gay or perceived to be gay.

The suit, filed in Placer Superior Court, alleges a pattern of behavior in the Roseville Police Department that continued despite the officers’ complaints. The three men are seeking unspecified monetary damages for emotional distress and loss of earnings.

Police officials declined to discuss the lawsuit, referring questions to city spokeswoman Megan MacPherson.

MacPherson said the claims were unfounded: “(The allegations) were investigated by an independent investigator and were determined to be baseless.”

She declined to elaborate.

The men are represented by Paul Goyette and Joy Rosenquist, with the Gold River law firm Goyette & Associates. They argue in the lawsuit that homosexuality is routinely and openly ridiculed in the department and that anyone perceived to be gay is subjected to hostile working conditions and denied opportunities for advancement.

“The department is rife with discriminatory comments tolerated, sanctioned, promulgated, and frequently used by its officers and command staff,” the lawsuit reads in part. “Anti-gay and other discriminatory comments are pervasive, used in everyday language and in its official department briefings.”

Two of the officers, Darin DeFreece and Kenneth Marler, remain on the force. DeFreece works as a sergeant, and Marler in patrol. Mike Lackl was terminated in January for what the suit alleges were unspecified reasons.

DeFreece was hired in 2000 and promoted to sergeant in 2005. He oversees the department’s detective unit. In the suit, DeFreece, who is married, alleges that his career was harmed because be is perceived to be gay.

The homosexual lifestyle is considered “deviant” in the department, according to the lawsuit: “For example, although a fellow officer did not know DeFreece’s sexual orientation, that officer perceived DeFreece to be gay and encouraged DeFreece to not apply to lead the Department’s ‘explorer program,’ which would place him in direct interaction with high school aged males.”

DeFreece did not apply, and it slowed his advancement in the department, the suit claims.

Lackl joined the force in July 2007. Prior to moving to Florida, Lackl briefly lived with DeFreece. After moving back from Florida, while in the process of buying a house, he lived with Marler. Both living arrangements became subjects of running jokes in the department, according to the suit.

The suit describes an incident in which Lackl told his supervisor that he needed to call DeFreece on a work-related matter. According to the suit, the supervisor retorted: “Why didn’t you just roll over and ask him this morning.”

Lackl identifies himself as heterosexual and is married to a woman, but according to the lawsuit was perceived by other officers to be gay. The suit alleges Defreece also was perceived to be gay and his marriage ridiculed as a sham.

Marler identifies himself as gay, and according to the suit “is treated as if he is infectious.”

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Concert in Garden Valley will benefit Haiti earthquake victims

Cathy Locke @ February 16, 2010 # Comments Off

Marshall Grange and the musical group In Full Swing will sponsor a benefit concert Saturday for victims of the Haiti earthquake.

The concert will be from 1 to 8 p.m. at Marshall Grange Hall, 4940 Marshall Road, in the rural El Dorado County community of Garden Valley. Music will be provided by Left of Cool, The Stardust Cowboys, The Old West Trio and In Full Swing.

Doors will open at noon and tickets will be available at the door. The suggested donation is $10, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross Relief and Development Fund. Children 12 and younger will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

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Concert in Garden Valley will benefit Haiti earthquake victims

Cathy Locke @ February 16, 2010 # Comments Off

Marshall Grange and the musical group In Full Swing will sponsor a benefit concert Saturday for victims of the Haiti earthquake.

The concert will be from 1 to 8 p.m. at Marshall Grange Hall, 4940 Marshall Road, in the rural El Dorado County community of Garden Valley. Music will be provided by Left of Cool, The Stardust Cowboys, The Old West Trio and In Full Swing.

Doors will open at noon and tickets will be available at the door. The suggested donation is $10, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross Relief and Development Fund. Children 12 and younger will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

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Update: Victim indentified in fatal Highway 49 crash

SacBee -- Placer County News @ February 11, 2010 # Comments Off

A 28-year-old Diamond Springs man died in a traffic collision Wednesday on Highway 49 south of Placerville in El Dorado County. El Dorado County Coroner’s officials identified the man who died in the Highway 49 crash Wednesday night as Frank Wilson Thompson III.

The California Highway Patrol reported that the accident occurred about 7 p.m. near Post Road when a Chevrolet pickup traveling south on Highway 49 collided with a Ford Escape sports utility vehicle that was traveling north.

The pickup driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene, the CHP said. The driver and a passenger in the SUV were taken to Marshall Hospital with minor injuries.

The CHP reported that the pickup drifted to the shoulder of the road and the driver lost control. He then over-corrected and veered into the northbound lane, where his vehicle collided with the SUV.

The front end of the SUV hit the side of the pickup.

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Sierra College plans to cut some sports, vocational programs

Laurel Rosenhall @ February 2, 2010 # Comments Off

RANDY PENCH rpench@sacbee.com
Seth Espinoza removes valves Monday from a 1956 Chevrolet 6 cylinder head in a Sierra College automotive class that could be cut.

Facing an $11.2 million budget deficit for the coming year, the Sierra College governing board will vote today on a plan to eliminate three vocational programs, six sports teams and 35 employee positions.

If the plan is approved, Sierra College would stop offering construction, automotive and agriculture classes at the end of this semester and lay off the people who teach them. It also would eliminate men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s track/cross country and men’s water polo.

“There are no good choices,” said college President Leo Chavez. “We’re trying to achieve a balanced budget while inflicting the least amount of damage to the institution. But there is damage.”

Eliminating the vocational and sports programs would save the college about $1.6 million, Chavez said. Under his plan, the rest of Sierra’s deficit would be closed by reducing salaries by 5 percent for all employees on July 1. Workers still would get their “step and column” raises – increases tied to more experience and education – on the same date, so many would not experience a 5 percent reduction.

But for students and instructors in the vocational programs, the salary reduction is irrelevant. Instructors are looking at losing their jobs entirely, while the more than 700 students in the targeted programs probably would end up leaving school.

“I’m highly disappointed,” said Craig Chamberlain, who has been teaching construction skills at Sierra for 25 years. “I believe the reasoning is backwards. Vocational programs helping people go back to work is what President Obama is all about. We’re just doing the opposite.”

Getting a better job is the top priority for student Artur Borys of Orangevale, who now delivers pizza. He said he’ll leave Sierra College if trustees drop the automotive program.

“I want to work as a mechanic at a Toyota dealership and eventually open up my own shop,” said Borys, 25. “I hope somebody can talk some sense into them.”

American River and Cosumnes River colleges in Sacramento offer automotive programs, but they are full and not taking new students, said Susie Williams, spokeswoman for the Los Rios Community College District.

Cosumnes River also has construction and agriculture programs – and they may be able to take some students shut out of Sierra.

“People in our construction program are already in conversation with Sierra about how some students might be able to transition to the CRC program,” Williams said in an e-mail. “The program at CRC is quite full, but they are still willing to try and help out at least some of the Sierra students.”

Private trade schools in the area offer vocational training but they are more expensive, costing tens of thousands of dollars compared with a few hundred dollars for community college.

Daniel Lee, an automotive student at Sierra College, said he feels like administrators value students pursuing academics over those in the trades.

“They don’t think we’re important,” said Lee, 30. “Somebody’s got to make stuff, not everybody can just be comfortable. All the amenities you have in your modern day society, somebody’s got to make that work for you. Something breaks, we have to fix it. In the future what’s going to happen when things break and no one knows how to do it?”

Chavez said the vocational and sports programs he’s suggested eliminating have relatively low enrollment – and that’s the reason he chose them.

“I’m not here to say any of those reductions are wise,” Chavez said. “But we have to make them somewhere.”

FATEFUL VOTE

What: Sierra College trustees will vote on eliminating automotive, construction and agriculture programs, six athletic teams and 35 employee positions.

When: 4 p.m. today

Where: Dietrich Theatre at Sierra College, 5000 Rocklin Road, Rocklin

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