Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Contra Costa Community College District pauses chancellor search due to coronavirus concerns

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By Timothy Leong, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa Community College District

The Governing Board of the Contra Costa Community College District (District) has paused the search for the next Chancellor for 30 days due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on the ability to serve students quality and affordable higher education.

“The selection of the Chancellor is one of the Board’s most important jobs,” says Governing Board President Rebecca Barrett. “I join my fellow trustees in deciding to pause our search for 30 days. We need to give our District leadership, staff and students time to focus on the COVID-19 crisis as we transition our classes and support services to a mobile format as a result of restrictions resulting from efforts to minimize the rapid spread of the Coronavirus.”

Assisting the District in the Chancellor search is Collaborative Brain Trust and Dr. Brice Harris, a longtime California community college educator and Chancellor Emeritus of the California Community Colleges. The goal remains to complete the search process and selection by the beginning of May 2020, with a start date of July 1, 2020.

For more details about this search, contact Dr. Brice Harris at harrisbrice@att.net or cell phone at (916) 715-7272. Progress reports and updates will be posted on the District website at www.4cd.edu.

College district suspends face-to-face classes, student services to minimize spread of coronavirus

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By Timothy Leong, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa Community College District

In response to the emergency declarations from the State of California and Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa Community College District (District) and its colleges – Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College-Pleasant Hill and San Ramon Campus, and Los Medanos College Pittsburg Campus and Brentwood Center – have suspended all face-to-face classes and face-to-face student interactions beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. All campus locations will be closed to students to minimize the spread of the coronavirus until further notice.

Over the next few days, faculty and staff will develop and implement transition plans for a remote format delivery of classes and student support services. Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the colleges will start the process to deliver classes and student support services remotely.

This revised course of action will assist the colleges in fulfilling our mission to our students during this difficult time while minimizing the coronavirus impact to our community. The District appreciates the community’s patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.

County elections update: Glover inches closer to victory, 30,500 ballots remaining to be counted

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Manual tally to begin Monday, four of six tax measures in county passing, Danville development referendum successful

By Allen Payton

With the latest, Interim Update 3 from the Contra Costa County Elections Division from the March 3rd Presidential Primary posted Friday, March 13, there are still approximately 30,500 votes remaining to be counted in the county.

Supervisor Federal Glover gained on his two opponents and is now less than 0.12% from winning re-election outright. He now has 49.89% of the vote for a total of 20,330 votes. His next closest opponent, County Assessor Gus Kramer has 25.62% of the vote or 10,440 votes, followed closely by Martinez Planning Commissioner Sean Trambley with 24.49% or 9,981 votes.

If Glover doesn’t end up having 50% plus one vote, he will face the second-place finisher in a November General Election run-off.

Four of Six Tax Measures Passing

Four of the six tax measures on the ballot in Contra Costa are passing, as of the latest update.

In the Lafayette Measure L school district parcel tax election, which requires a 2/3’s vote to pass, it’s succeeding with 72.6% of the vote and a lead of 4,589 votes.

In the Moraga School District, the Measure M parcel tax election, which also requires a 2/3’s vote to pass, is succeeding with 70.27% of the vote and a margin of 2,731 votes.

In the West Contra Costa Unified School District Measure R school bond election, which requires a 55% vote to succeed, it is passing with 57.3% of the vote and leading the No votes by 8,009 votes.

The election for the Antioch Unified School District’s Measure T school improvement bond, is still too close to call. It needs 55% of the vote to pass and currently has 53.13% with a margin of 1,511 votes.In the Lafayette Measure L school district parcel tax election, which requires a 2/3’s vote to pass, it’s succeeding with 72.6% of the vote and a lead of 4,589 votes.

The Pleasant Hill Park and Recreation Department’s Measure A bond measure, which requires a 2/3’s vote to pass, is failing with only 59.55% of the vote, but leading by 2,463 votes. It needs an increase of 6.12% from the remaining votes.

The countywide Measure J half-cent sales tax for transportation, which requires a 2/3’s vote to pass, was also failing with just 50.6% of the vote, and barely leading by 3,472 votes out of 288,644 counted so far.

Danville Development Referendum Passing

In the Town of Danville’s Measure Y referendum, which will approve the development of 69 homes on 410 acres and requires a simple majority to pass, is winning with 54.26% of the vote and a margin of 1,477 votes.

Following are the estimated number of ballots that remain to be counted as of Friday, March 13.

500          Other

29,200     Provisional

800          Conditional Voter Registration

30,500     Total Estimate

Manual Tally

Beginning Monday, March 16 the Elections Division will conduct a manual audit of ballots cast in the March 3rd Presidential Primary. The public is invited to observe the count.

Contra Costa Community College campuses to remain open, district offers update on Coronavirus related actions

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Martinez, CA – As more cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are identified in California, the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) has provided additional guidance to its three colleges, two centers and District Office in an effort to protect students, faculty, employees and visitors. To date, there are no confirmed cases of the Coronavirus at any CCCCD location.

Consistent with guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health and Contra Costa Health Services, CCCCD confirmed that all colleges and centers will remain open, and instruction and operations will continue, with modifications, as listed below.

Effective immediately, and through April 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, CCCCD is taking action in the following areas:

Travel – CCCCD is curtailing all non-essential travel for students, faculty and employees.

Events – CCCCD locations will cancel or postpone gatherings of 50 or more people, especially events attended by older adults and people of all ages with compromised immune systems.

Employee Leave – CCCCD is encouraging students, faculty and employees to stay home if they are sick and adhere to any quarantine guidance provided by a physician in consultation with county health services.

Instruction – CCCCD, in consultation with the Academic Senate and United Faculty leadership, is reviewing remote instruction options for lecture-based classes targeted for March 16, 2020, with evaluations and adjustments made accordingly thereafter.

Student Services – Student Services will continue on-site at campuses, and CCCCD is reviewing technologies and tools to provide remote access as necessary.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to provide updates to our campus communities when any new relevant information warrants a change in our response to this issue,” said Eugene Huff, Interim Chancellor. Additionally, a centralized District Coronavirus web page is now available at www.4cd.edu/covid19 and will be updated regularly to reflect the latest public health guidance.”

Richmond High P.E. teacher sentenced to 3 years in state prison for sex with minor

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Israel Ayala-Lopez; Photo by Richmond PD.

By Scott Alonzo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney

Earlier this week, Israel Ayala-Lopez (27-years-old) of Richmond pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor, Jane Doe, and he will serve three years in state prison. Ayala-Lopez will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Ayala-Lopez at the time of his arrest in the late summer of 2019, was a physical education teacher and soccer coach at Richmond High School. He received his teaching credential from the state of California in 2017.

Ayala-Lopez had sexual relations with the victim multiple times from at least April 2019 until August 2019. He was arrested by the Richmond Police Department and has been in custody since our Office filed criminal charges against him. Ayala-Lopez was also a collegiate athlete at San Jose State University and California State University Monterey Bay for their respective soccer teams.

To protect their confidentiality, our Office does not release the name or age of the victim, or their relationship to a defendant for this type of case. A criminal protective order was also ordered by the judge to prevent the defendant from communicating with the victim.

The case was investigated by the Richmond Police Department. Deputy District Attorney Kate Jewett prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. DDA Jewett is assigned to our Sexual Assault Unit.

Case information: People v. Israel Ayala-Lopez, Docket Number 02-330632-1.

San Ramon’s California High School wins county Mock Trial for third year in a row

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Winners of the 2020 Contra Costa Mock Trial, the California High School Mock Trial Team, led by teacher coach Brian Barr and attorney coaches Larry Lowe, and Ken Mifsud represented Contra Costa County at the 39th Annual California State Mock Trial last March in Orange County, CA. Photo courtesy of CCC Office of Education.

The California High School Mock Trial Team from San Ramon, led by teacher coach Brian Barr, and attorney coaches Larry Lowe and Ken Mifsud, has won Contra Costa County’s annual competition for the third year in a row. The Grizzlies bested Acalanes, who took second place in the final round, and third place Miramonte beat Monte Vista which took fourth place in the Consolation round. (See the complete Mock Trial competition results).

The Cal High team will represent the county at the 39th Annual California State Mock Trial Finals on March 20-22 in Los Angeles, CA.

Mock Trial Overview

The Mock Trial Program is sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF). Each year CRF creates a mock trial that addresses serious matters facing young people today.

Each team works with teacher and attorney coaches to prepare their version of the criminal case, both from the prosecution and defense perspective. Students assume the roles of trial attorneys, pretrial motion attorneys, witnesses, clerks, and bailiffs. Through these role-playing techniques, students learn about the content and processes of law in an exciting and vibrant way. Also, by studying the case and preparing strategies and arguments for trial, students increase their public speaking skills, analytical ability and team cooperation.

Some high schools offer the Mock Trial Program as a class rather than an extra-curricular activity.

At the State Finals, the winning teams from 36 counties will present People v. Matsumoto, the trial of Bailey Matsumoto. Bailey is the founder of a technology start-up that develops autonomous (self-driving) trucks. Bailey is charged with murder, which is the unlawful killing of another human being with malice afterthought. The pretrial issue involves the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Courtroom Art Contest

Students also had the opportunity to compete as courtroom artists by participating in the Courtroom Art Contest, a companion program to Mock Trials. As courtroom artists, students accompany their Mock Trial teams and sketch courtroom scenes that are later judged by a team of art judges. Download artist rules and registration information. The winner, Reese Whipple of Miramonte High, will represent Contra Costa County at the state finals.

The court drawing by the Outstanding Artist Reese Whipple of Miramonte High. Photo courtesy of CCC Office of Education.

Courtroom Journalism Contest

Students were given an opportunity to report on a Mock Trial from the perspective of a journalist. As courtroom reporters, students will accompany their school’s Mock Trial teams to the preliminary rounds of the competition. Courtroom reporters will then write and submit one 500-word news article on the trial they attended. Articles were judged by a panel of specialists. The winner, Christine Oh of California High, will represent Contra Costa County at the state finals.

List of Winners

Following is the list of major award winners during the 2020 Contra Costa County competition:

TOP OVERALL WINNING TEAMS

1st Place – California

2nd Place – Acalanes

3rd Place – Miramonte

4th Place – Monte Vista

NEW THIS YEAR!

TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Las Lomas

Awarded to the team that exhibited a high degree of ethics, respect, fair play and good attitude (win or not).

Outstanding Artist

Reese Whipple, Miramonte

Outstanding Journalist

Christine Oh, California

Judges’ Choice Award Winners (with 2 votes each)

Acalanes Jane Gundacker

Alhambra Simarpreet Kaur

Carondelet Nicole Abudayeh

De Anza Elena Martinez

Kennedy Geselle Alvarado

Richmond Andrea Lopez and Eric Martinez

Judges’ Choice Honorable Mention

Acalanes Jamie Lattin, Adam Machajewski and Yicheng Yao

Alhambra Nivia Buttar and Tess Kempner

California Daniela Kuthy-Cervantes and Sarah Zhang

Campolindo Sarah Downing, Madeleine Landau, Nina Naffziger, Maia West and Danielle Whisnant

Carondelet Laura Bocek

De Anza Kilty Huskisson, Irene Kou and Tyler Quijada

Deer Valley Janae Burks, Katherine Muster, Caitlin Todd and SavannahTurnage

Dougherty Valley Elijah Bradford, Pradyun Singh, Neha Vasagiri and Gayathri Viswanth

El Cerrito Audrey Dowling, Zayn Martaza and Simone Parisi

Hercules Kevin Gill

Heritage Jacki Fortner, Lexi Ojeda and Tori Renner

Kennedy Emani Mason and Viridiana Ayala

Las Lomas Annalise Anderson, Dina Mirmotalebisohi and Cameron Pitzak

Miramonte Adrian Nibley, Preston Nibley, Sarah Svahn, Eva Winter and Chaya Tong

Monte Vista Cameron Boles, Valeria Caveroegusquiza, Liam Crowley and Hannah Nance

Richmond John Olivarez and Jahzeel Perez

See the list of all 2020 award winners here.

Los Medanos College seeks nominations for annual César Chávez Awards

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Los Medanos College (LMC) is preparing to host its annual César Chávez Celebration on Friday, March 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A reception will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by the awards and recognition ceremony at 7:00 p.m. LMC is located at 2700 East Leland Road in Pittsburg.  The public is welcome to attend, and the event is free.

Los Medanos College hosts this event each year to honor the life of César Chávez and to recognize East Contra Costa County community leaders who continue his great tradition of service and social activism. A true American hero, César Chávez exemplifies service to community and non-violent social change.

The college is now seeking nominations for three recognition awards, which will be presented at the event.  The LMC César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service, established in 1995, is awarded to local residents who have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to service and who represent the core values established by César Chávez: Service to Others, Sacrifice, Help the Most Needy, Determination, Non-Violence, Acceptance of All People, Respect for Life and the Environment, Celebrating Community, Knowledge, and Innovation.  The East County Educator Award honors members of the educational community who demonstrate the above values and a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for low-income students and students of color.  The Chávez Spirit Award recognizes student/emerging leaders who are making an impact on East Contra Costa County in the areas of advocacy and social justice.

To submit nominations for the César Chávez awards, visit: www.losmedanos.edu/chavez/nominate/.  The deadline for nominations is February 29, 2020.

Details about other LMC activities celebrating the life and legacy of César Chávez can be viewed at: www.losmedanos.edu/chavez/event.

Eugene Huff selected as CC Community College District interim chancellor

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Eugene Huff. By CCCCD.

By Timothy Leong, Public Information Officer, CCCC College District

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) Governing Board (Board) has selected Eugene Huff as interim chancellor. Huff’s contract begins January 23, 2020, with an end date of December 31, 2020, or until a permanent chancellor is selected.

Huff began his service with the District in 2001 in human resources.  He was promoted to Vice Chancellor of Human Resources in 2004 and has been the District’s chief negotiator since that time.  He was promoted to his current position of Executive Vice Chancellor, Administrative Services in 2013. In that position, Huff has overseen fiscal services, human resources, information technology, police services and risk management areas.

Before coming to the District, Huff spent over a decade in the private sector in human resources and operations management roles, and led the start-up of the human resources function for a non-profit organization. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology and his master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Purdue University.

“The Governing Board is excited and grateful that Gene has agreed to serve as our Interim Chancellor,” said Board President Rebecca Barrett. “His many years of steady administrative leadership in the District has prepared him for this opportunity, and we are confident the District will be in good hands until a permanent chancellor is on board.”

The District continues its national search for a permanent chancellor and is assisted by the Collaborative Brain Trust (CBT) and Dr. Brice Harris, a longtime California community college educator and Chancellor Emeritus of the California Community Colleges. Huff will not be a candidate for permanent chancellor. The goal will be to complete the search process and announce the new chancellor in April 2020, with a start date of June 1-July 1, 2020.

Prior to joining the District, Mr. Huff worked at Whirlpool Corporation for 11 years in operations and human resources. Mr. Huff is married and has one grown daughter and one granddaughter. He enjoys diving, gardening and travel.

The Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The CCCCD serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. The District is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon.  The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez.

Miramonte High teacher arrested for sex abuse of students at Acalanes in late 90’s

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Suspect Kyle Ann Wood. Photo by CCCSheriff.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at about 6:30 PM, Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff arrested 54-year-old Kyle Ann Wood at her home in Pleasant Hill.

The Lafayette Police Department, assisted by the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division, recently began an investigation into Wood after receiving reports of alleged inappropriate and unlawful relationships between Wood and two minors. The crimes occurred between 1996-1998. The victims were students at Acalanes High School where Wood was a teacher.

Wood is currently a teacher at Miramonte High School in Orinda.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed felony sex charges against Wood. She was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility and is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.

The investigation is ongoing. The Lafayette Police Department is asking anyone with additional information regarding this case to contact detectives at (925) 283-3680 or (925) 299-3234 or email Sergeant T. Rossberg at tross@so.cccounty.us.

Contra Costa Community College District announces search for new chancellor

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By Timothy Leong, Director of Communications and Community Relations, CCCCD

The Governing Board (Board) has officially begun the search for the next chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District (District) following the retirement announcement of Dr. Fred Wood. The Board is committed to conducting an equitable, inclusive, and transparent national search that will attract a strong pool of outstanding candidates for this opportunity.

Assisting the District in the chancellor search is Collaborative Brain Trust and Dr. Brice Harris, a longtime California community college educator and Chancellor Emeritus of the California Community Colleges. The goal will be to complete the search process and announce the new chancellor in April 2020, with a start date of June 1-July 1, 2020.

For more details about this search, contact Dr. Brice Harris at harrisbrice@att.net or cell phone at 916-715-7272. Progress reports and updates will be posted on the District website at www.4cd.edu.

About the College District

The Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The CCCCD serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. The District is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon.  Each college is individually accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez.