Turned Away by Superintendent at Special Board Meeting - Wednesday, April 29 2020

For the record, on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, I arrived at Rio Hondo College for a Special Board Meeting at 5:30 pm for a 6:00 pm meeting. I walked into the board room and interrupted a meeting of the Superintendent, Vice President and another unidentifiable person. I apologized and waited outside.

I made a quick trip to the Superintendent's secretary to get some post its and walked back. They left [Superintendent] and I sat in the empty half lit board room reading and waiting till 6:00 pm.  6:00 pm came around and no one was there.  The last three meetings three board members have attended practicing social distancing.

I walked into the Superintendent's office and ask if there is a board meeting. He replied, "yes, you're not suppose to be here".  I said, I've been here since 5:30 pm and you've seen me twice. I'm here for the board meeting. He continued a little mad, "you're not suppose to be here the meeting is online".  Im sorry, no one told me it was an online only meeting.  I'm here in person, can you please set me up for the meeting? He gives me a dirty look. I said, Well...ill just sit here to hear the board meeting.

If one of my employers walked into the building for a meeting you bet I would make sure he was set up for a scheduled meetings.  I really don't understand.

Students Infected: Statement on Coronavirus at Rio Hondo College by Gary Mendez-Board Member

[This is a statement of an individual elected board member and does not represent the views of the entire board of trustees of Rio Hondo College District]

I regret to inform my constituents of Rio Hondo College Area 4, that a second student at Rio Hondo College has tested positive for the coronavirus.  I was informed at about 12 noon on April 22, 2020 by the college superintendent/president, and by an email from a member of the pubic, with little to no specifics.  It is not confirmed if the student continued to visit Rio Hondo College since the campus remains open for student services and library services against my strong objection. 

As an elected governing board member of Rio Hondo Community College District representing Area 4 (Los Nietos, Santa Fe Springs, South Whittier, North Norwalk and portions of Whittier City and Downey, I hereby strongly request that the Rio Hondo College Library and Student Services (the campus) be closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic and direct (non-essential) employees to work from their homes and that students not visit the college campus in order to contain the virus to prevent illness and death of students, employees and the public. 

On Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at about 7:00 pm, a neighbor knocked on my house door asking why her son, a Rio Hondo student (and my former karate student), was going to the college everyday to go to the library when her other children were at home in shelter as directed by the local school district. She continued to explain that she has her two parents living with the family of six and was worried that they can get sick from the student. I told her I will look into it. 

On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in an emergency meeting, the superintendent was given “emergency authority” by the board of trustees to make crucial decisions for the health and safety of students, employees, and the public.  The superintendent/president Dr. Arturo Reyes communicated to the board that he intends to keep the campus open and operating during the pandemic which I objected.  The campus remains open.  For over seven weeks I have expressed my objection to such decision which jeopardizes the health and safety of students, employees and the public.  No grade is worth the sickness and death of a student, employee or the pubic. I hold the college superintendent/president Dr. Arturo Reyes, the Dean of the Library, the Administration and the Board of Trustee’s for refusing to act to protect students, employees and the public.

On Thursday, March 12, 2020 at about 10:30 am, I walked the open campus, with a 3M face mask and rubber gloves, to search for my neighbor’s student and to check up on employees.  Overwhelmly, employees were worried about their health and safety and were without face mask and gloves.  I found the student and explained the ramifications of him going to the Library and possibly catching and infecting his family which can lead to sickness and death.  He expressed that no one at the college had told him of the consequences of bringing home the virus.

The Rio Hondo College campus and the Library remains open. While Cerritos College shut down on or about March 10, 2020.

On April 22, 2020, at the Rio Hondo College special meeting (not having to do with the coronavirus) a member of the public, a former local librarian, informed the Board of Trustees and the superintendent/president that it was irresponsible for the campus and the library to remain open.

Rio Hondo College's Emergency Resolution on Coronavirus NOT public

Emergency Resolution on Coronavirus

I am concerned that the Emergency Resolution considered by the Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 6:00pm was considered, discussed and voted-on in closed session out of public view. The draft is titled “Confidential: Attorney Client Privilege”. Is this Resolution confidential? As you can see on the Agenda of March 16 that the Emergency Resolution was Not Agendized for the public to view. Surrounding community colleges Agendized their emergency resolutions on the public agenda and considered and voted on their resolution in open session.

Why did Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees adopt an Emergency Resolution in closed session and not report it out? Is that legal? Is that ethical and transparent?

This must be corrected by the following:
1. Call an Emergency Meeting
2. Agendized the Emergency Resolution
3. Board of Trustees shall consider, discuss and vote on resolution in an open session with open communication from the public and campus community.
4. Must be done by Thursday, March 19, 2020.

A History of Holding Up Shared Governance at Rio

April 2019: Recently. "What do you know about Shared Governance?", she asked. Well...as a paralegal student [1990's] at Rio I did a semester long independent studies course on AB 1725 reviewing the legislation, committee reports, California's Code of Rules & Regulations, Rio's policy and that of other colleges.. As a student trustee, I participated in the College's review of the shared governance policy leading to the inclusion of students. Soon after, I organized two state-wide student conference on Shared Governance. That's what I know and I've forgotten nothing.

(Campaign material from Rio student leadership days. Ran for Policy Director for the California Student Association of Community Colleges. I won.)

New Karate Kids - Whittier Daily News article 08/31/07

New Karate Kids
Sandra T. Molina. Whittier Daily News. Whittier, Calif.: Aug 31, 2007.


SOUTH WHITTIER - Sensei Gary Mendez wasn't sure whether he was up to the task of teaching a summer karate class at Mayberry Park, let alone if any students would attend. What he got were 50 applications the first week, and two weeks later the total was 150.

"I am overwhelmed at the response of the community," Mendez, 37, said Friday, the last day of the free 12-week program.

The day was spent handing out certificates of completion to the 50 students on hand and demonstrating their skills.

It's been about six years since the Santa Fe Springs resident has taught a karate class, and then, it was only two or three students.

And how did it feel to teach again before such a large class? "I loved it," he said. "It reminded me how much I love karate, and I enjoyed introducing so many kids to the sport, as well as their parents."

Karate is not about fighting, but discipline, self-defense, self-esteem and other life skills, Mendez said.

He said the kids, with the support of their parents and the park staff, far exceeded his expectations.

"They showed me they have it in them to excel, and not only in karate," said Mendez, a public and political affairs consultant in Los Angeles County.

One of those students, 11-year-old Cindy Mora, who is autistic, said she had a lot of fun. She named some of the skills, like stances and kicks, as some of the things she liked best.

Cindy's parents, Ernesto Mora, 33, and Maria Gonzalez, 36, said they enrolled their daughter in the program to improve her motor skills.

What they got was much more.

"The class improved her motor skills and her social skills," Moreno said. "We've seen such a big difference in her."

Gonzalez said she was surprised how well Cindy did memorizing the movements.

"Learning karate has given her more confidence, and shows her she can be like everyone else," said the proud mom.

For 5-year-old Nathan Guerrero, his mom, Sandra Espinoza, 25, said her son has learned to be more patient and more safety conscious.

"He used to run and open the door whenever there was someone knocking on it," she said. "Now, he knows to take his time and let a grown-up answer the door."

And Aaron Navarrete, 11, said the meditation and sense of discipline were the best parts of the class. "I learned to focus on things I am doing, and when I get stressed, I have a way to relax," said the very serious young man, who plans on attending more classes if they are available.

If Mendez and a group of parents have their say, the class will be offered again.
The group is planning to meet with Supervisor Gloria Molina to request she once again give financial support to the class.

"She was so responsive and positive when I approached her a year ago about this program," Mendez said.

Now with the parents behind him, and Molina's dedication to young people, Mendez said he is sure he'll be back, and sooner than next summer.

"There's such a need for programs like this in the area," he said. "We'll be back again for the kids."

sandra.molina@sgvn.com
(562) 698-0955, Ext. 3028


Copyright © 2008 ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved.
People: Mendez, Gary, Mora, Cindy
Author(s): Sandra T. Molina
Section: News
Publication title: Whittier Daily News. Whittier, Calif.: Aug 31, 2007.
Source type: Newspaper
ISSN: 10692819
ProQuest document ID: 1328885151
Text Word Count 557