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Free textbook program
Diablo Valley College is among two community colleges in the state to have earned Exemplary Program Awards from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors for their efforts to expand free instructional materials for students, alongside Coalinga College.
“Open Educational Resources play a vital role in making learning materials accessible and affordable for students, a key priority for the Board of Governors,” said Sonya Christian, California Community Colleges chancellor in a press release on Jan. 15.
“We are proud of the innovative efforts at Coalinga College, which simplify the adoption of open resources for instructors, and at Diablo Valley College, where grants are being used to expand program sections and save students money on textbooks,” she continued. “These initiatives are advancing our system’s progress toward achieving the goals outlined in California Community Colleges’ Vision 2030.”
Assessment survey
Contra Costa County’s assessor’s office has been named as one of the top offices in the state in terms of its assessment practices in a recent survey announced by the State Board of Equalization.
The board announced the results of a five-year sample and survey on Dec. 30, with County Assessor Gus Kramer’s office sharing the news on Jan. 14.
“These code sections provide that the BOE shall make surveys in specified counties to determine that the practices and procedures used by the County Assessor in the valuation of properties are in conformity with all provisions of law,” officials said in the announcement from Kramer’s office. “The assessment practices survey program is one of the State’s major efforts to address these interests and to promote uniformity, fairness, equity, and integrity in the property tax assessment process.”
According to Kramer’s announcement, his office has received one of the top ratings in the state with a 99.78% accuracy ratio, along with certification that the county can receive reimbursement for the costs of supplemental assessments.
“Assessor Kramer, would like to express his gratitude to the employees of the Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office for their hard work, expertise, dedication, and commitment to public service,” county officials said in this week’s announcement.
Street Smarts contest
San Ramon Valley Street Smarts’ “Be Reel” video contest is returning for its 20th year, with the theme of “Safety First.”
The annual contest seeks to encourage sixth through 12th grade students to showcase their creativity and help expand traffic safety awareness in the community by inviting them to submit public service announcements in alignment with the year’s theme.
Middle and high school students are judged in two different divisions, with the top three winners in each division receiving Amazon gift cards ranging from $100 to $300.
Submissions are due by Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. More information is available here.
State Senate committee assignments
The Tri-Valley’s two new representatives in the State Senate learned their committee assignments this month, courtesy of Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast).
Sen. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton), the former congressman who was elected to Sacramento on Nov. 5 to a district that includes most of the southern Tri-Valley out east into San Joaquin County, will chair the Revenue and Taxation Committee as well as serve on the Agriculture; Budget and Fiscal Review; Energy, Utilities and Communications; and Military and Veterans Affairs committees.
McNerney was also assigned to the Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy and the Joint Committee on Fairs Allocation and Classification.
Sen. Tim Grayson (D-Concord), who ascended from the Assembly to the Senate in the election to represent the San Ramon Valley and elsewhere in Contra Costa County, has been named assistant majority whip in Democratic leadership and he will chair the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.
Grayson will also serve on the Appropriations; Business, Professions and Economic Development; Health; Revenue and Taxation; and Transportation committees as well as the Joint Committee on Rules.
Culture in the Community
The City of San Ramon’s Culture in the Community celebration is returning later this month, with organizers in their final weeks ahead of the event at the end of the month.
The celebration is set to showcase music, art, activities, and multicultural performances from around the world, as well as cultural booths and prizes.
“Take a staycation to the wonderfully diverse world in our own backyard,” organizers said in the event description. “Attendees are encouraged to wear attire representative of the country of origin/heritage or clothing from any country of interest.”
The free event is set for Jan. 26 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Dougherty Station Community Arts Center 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd. More information is available here.
