The Mt. San Jacinto College Board of Trustees approved a contract on June 11 with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to provide police services for the district.
The college district sent 14 POST certified law enforcement agencies a request for proposal earlier this year. The sheriff’s department submitted the sole proposal. The $945,492 annual contract will begin on July 1.
The district has operated its own police department since 2003. The MSJC Police Department currently has 9 campus safety officer positions. There will be no layoffs associated with the new contract. The campus safety officers will assist sheriff’s officers, enforce traffic and parking regulations and patrol all district facilities on foot and in electric vehicles, among other duties.
The sheriff’s department will augment the police services by providing additional personnel, including trained school resource officers, and dispatch services. Officers will patrol district campuses in marked patrol vehicles and on foot, enforce regulations, conduct investigations and provide outreach, among other duties.
Ann Motte, MSJC board chair, said she was pleased that the contract allows for annual reviews.
“I am very happy that we’ve come to this agreement,” Motte said during the meeting.
“This contract will allow Mt. San Jacinto College to continue to provide a safe learning environment for students, employees and visitors. In fact, it will enhance police services with more officers,” Dr. Roger Schultz, superintendent/president, said after the meeting. “We can put past struggles behind us and move toward a brighter and safer future.”
Tentative Budget
The Board of Trustees also adopted a tentative $67 million General Fund budget for 2015-16.
The unrestricted General Fund pays for operations, materials, supplies, salaries and benefits, among other things. The District’s total $187.9 million budget includes funds that are restricted for use in specific areas.
This is the largest district budget to date. The increase is due to the passage of Measure AA, increased state funding and student population growth.
MSJC expects to serve 11,372 full-time equivalent students in 2015-16, which represents 5 percent over the amount of per-student funds MSJC will receive from the state.
Highlights of the budget includes the hiring of 10 new faculty and two new non-teaching faculty as well as 10 replacement faculty members, Salary Step and Column funding, a 2 percent increase of enrollment growth, an expanded summer session, a 6 percent Board Reserve and a 1.58 percent increase in the Cost of Living adjustment.
The 2015-16 final budget will be presented to the Board of Trustees for adoption in September.
Other Actions:
The Board approved a faculty internship with Cal State San Marcos. The faculty internship will enhance recruitment of qualified individuals for teaching positions at MSJC and enhance diversity in faculty.
The Board approved a $687,910 Energy Conservation Contract with Controls Technologies West. Measure AA funds will be used for the project, but the cost will be offset because the district is eligible to receive funds under Prop. 39 to support energy efficient projects and workforce job training. The contract will allow the district to retrofit the San Jacinto and Menifee Valley campuses with equipment that will provide energy efficiency in heating and cooling.
OTHER INFORMATION:
The Board, which routinely does not meet in July, will hold a meeting at 3:30 p.m. on June 25, to discuss facilities and enrollment. The meeting will be held on the San Jacinto Campus, 1499 N. State St. San Jacinto in Room 200 and linked to Room 851 on the Menifee Valley Campus, 28237 La Piedra Rd. Menifee.
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