In a recent interview with Valley Voice on October 2, 2026, COS Board of Trustees Member John Lehn was quoted as saying, “The college made an offer to support the health care [sic] for part-time faculty under certain circumstances and the unions didn’t agree to it.”
As the President and lead negotiator of College of the Sequoias Adjunct (part-time) Faculty Association (COSAFA), that statement is both demonstrably incorrect and deceptive. COSAFA submitted a proposal to COS (“the District”) for health insurance on 5/17/2024. COSAFA’s proposal followed the state program requirements to ensure the District would be eligible for full reimbursement from the state. The District rejected the proposal on 6/24/2024. “The District is hereby rejecting COSAFA’s 5/17/24 proposal to add a new article on “Health Insurance” for part-time faculty employees.”
After the District brought up concerns that state funding might not be sustained, COSAFA submitted a modified proposal for health insurance on 7/2/2024. Our modified proposal added a clause that if the District received less than 100% reimbursement from the state, the District could reopen negotiations on health insurance. The District rejected the modified proposal on 7/15/2024. “The District is hereby rejecting COSAFA’s 7/2/24 proposal to add a new article on “Health Insurance” for part-time faculty employees.”
To this day, COSAFA has yet to receive an offer or proposal from the District regarding health insurance for part-time faculty members at COS.
Earlier this year, an attempt by Trustee Diaz to discuss researching health insurance for part-time faculty at COS was ultimately voted down by the other trustees.
COSAFA members at COS have been puzzled and disheartened that the District decided not to seek available state funds that could have provided full reimbursement for the provision of much-needed health insurance for our part-time faculty. This is one of the reasons why COSAFA has endorsed Susie Nava for Ward 5.
Danielle Alberti
COSAFA President