Good morning, let us know if there is any interest in doing an interview about the focus of this meeting. We can help to arrange. Thanks, James
For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Jack Beresford / 619-341-1091/ jberesford@sdccd.edu
James Canning / 313-580-2845 / jcanning@sandi.net
14th Joint Meeting for San Diego Community College District & San Diego Unified School District Governing Boards Is March 18
Agenda Topics: Joint Legislative Activities, Updates on Early College Credit Program,
and Status Update on Joint Student Outcome Goals
SAN DIEGO (MARCH 17, 2025) – The leadership from San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) and San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) will host their 14th joint meeting on Tuesday, March 18 starting at 5 p.m. at the Kearny High School Auditorium, 1954 Komet Way, just a couple blocks from San Diego Mesa College in Kearny Mesa.
The educational districts began meeting 14 years ago and their governing boards knew through partnership and collaboration, SDCCD and SDUSD could lead the way in bolstering the academic achievement of students throughout the region. Currently, they serve a combine 185,000 students, and on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting the leaders will:
- discuss joint legislative efforts,
- deliver updates on the early college credit programs and the connection to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Masterplan for Career Education, and
- share progress on joint Student Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timebound (SMART) goals.
“The annual joint meeting aligns our education segments to ensure every San Diegan has an equitable opportunity to secure a high-quality education leading to a rewarding career,” said SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith.
Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified School District’s Superintendent (Interim) said the relationship between these two important institutions has proven beneficial to students attending District high schools.
“To know that in a very short period of time more than 6,000 of our students have leveraged the learning opportunities we’ve made available through our partnership with San Diego Community College District gives us great confidence that we’re on the right track when it comes to improving student outcomes, and preparing them for life after high school,” said Dr. Bagula. “I am eager to continue our work with the San Diego Community College District and strengthen our collective commitment on Tuesday to supporting local students and families.”
The public is welcome to attend; free parking is available in the Kearny High School lot. The meeting can also be viewed on YouTube at youtube.com/user/sandiegounified
Background about topics on the joint meeting agenda includes the following:
SMART Goals & Dual Enrollment
In 2024, SDCCD and SDUSD launched a three-year initiative to significantly increase access and success rates to early college opportunities for all SDUSD students, including disproportionately impacted and historically marginalized students. Using research-backed findings, the districts last year developed a set SMART goals, and included in the goals are enhancing participation in dual enrollment and expanding the number of students in the tuition-free San Diego Promise program over three-years.
A record 6,088 SDUSD students have taken or are concurrently enrolled in SDCCD classes this academic year, either at their high school or on SDCCD campuses, an increase of more than 61% from 2021-22. Nearly 4,000 enrolled in Career Technical Education Articulation by Exam courses as well, a year-over-year increase of 17%.
Among the most recent collaborations was one launched this spring between San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) and Lincoln High School. Under the program, Lincoln High students are taking a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) class at SDCCE’s Educational Cultural Complex. Students who pass the course qualify to take a school-funded EPA certification exam, after which they would become licensed HVAC technicians. Before the summer arrives, SDCCE will arrange at least one job interview per student.
Joint Legislative Efforts
SDCCD and SDUSD often work together on legislation that improves academic outcomes of students, and supports its educators, and during Tuesday’s meeting the governing boards are expected to discuss several joint legislative items, including two that specially impact the work being done together around the SMART Goals & Dual Enrollment. They are:
Summary: This bill would support participation in College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) by reducing the minimum schoolday for a student enrolled in a community college under a CCAP partnership from 240 minutes to 180 minutes, in alignment with early college programs.
- Bill: AB 323 (Fong) – Strong Workforce Program – SDCCD sponsored
Summary: This bill would remove barriers for students to participate in work-based learning by authorizing community college districts to use Strong Workforce funds to provide direct support to students and employers.
Governing Board Members for SDCCD & SDUSD
SDUSD: Superintendent Dr. Fabi Bagula, Board President Cody Petterson, Board Vice-President Richard Barrera, Sabrina Bazzo, Shana Hazan, Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Student Board Member, Quinton Baldis and Student Board Member Joseph Cruz
SDCCD: Chancellor Gregory A. Smith, Board President Geysil Arroyo, Craig Milgrim, Mariah Jameson, Dr. Marichu G. Magaña, Dr. Maria Nieto Senour, Sitting Student Trustee Haydee Ziniga
About San Diego Community College District
As one of the largest of California’s 73 community college districts, the San Diego Community College District serves approximately 90,000 students annually through its four colleges. San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Mesa College offer associate degrees and certificates in occupational programs that prepare students for university transfer and good-paying careers. The credit colleges also offer bachelor’s degrees in high demand fields such as Health Information Management, Cyber Defense and Analysis, and Public Safety Management. San Diego College of Continuing Education, a statewide leader in noncredit education, offers free, adult education programs at seven campuses throughout San Diego.
About San Diego Unified School District
San Diego Unified School District puts students at the center of its collective mission to ensure equity and belonging, and to create conditions for all students to thrive at school and in life. To learn more visit www.SanDiegoUnified.org.
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James Canning (He/Him)
Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information
San Diego Unified School District
jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org
Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845
4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103
Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.
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