October 2024

West Kentucky Community & Technical College
Board of Directors Meeting Minutesz
October 1, 2024, 2:00–4:00 p.m. ATB 101F

Call to Order

Chair Jay Simmons called the meeting to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members present were Gorman Bradley, Heather Coltharp, Kenneth Hurt, Barry McDonald, Erika Mehta, Chuck Murphy, Patrick Sanders, Jay Simmons, and Jessica West. Other attendees were Dr. Anton Reece, Chase Durrance, Malissa Kano-White, Tammy Maines, Shay Nolan, Dr. Kate Senn, Jennifer Tubbs, Whitney Walker, Geelyn Warren, Andy Wilson, and Melissa Allcock, assistant secretary.

Old Business - Approval of the Minutes

A motion was made by Mr. Chuck Murphy and seconded by Mr. Kenneth Hurt to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2024 meeting. Motion passed.

New Business – Board of Directors Officer Elections

Chair Simmons brought attention to the ballots listing the nominations for officers. Hearing no further nominations from the floor, Chair Simmons entertained a motion to elect the current officers by vote of acclamation. Ms. Erika Mehta moved to accept the nominees by acclamation, and Mr. Gorman Bradley seconded the motion. No discussion and the motion passed unanimously. The Board officers for 2024-2025 are Jay Simmons, Chair; Barry McDonald, Vice-Chair; and Gorman Bradley, Secretary. Chair Simmons noted that this would be the last year he could serve as the Board Chair.

President's Report

President's Leadership Team (PLT) and Senate Joint Resolution 179 (SJR179) Updates

Dr. Reece reported that KCTCS President Dr. Ryan Quarles met with the co-chairs of the education committee and put forth a recommendation to keep accreditation as is, which protects the local identity of the colleges and all things associated with the caveat of a plan for shared services and an administrative structure that has more controls. Also, within SJR179, the governance reform question continues regarding the role of the individual college's advisory boards. The college Presidents are advocating for the importance of retaining the advisory boards. The KCTCS Board of Regents will meet to determine the final recommendation to send to the Legislative Research Commission (LRC); the timeline for the response to the LRC is December 10. Dr. Reece also noted that in connection with SJR179, there would be an anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) piece of legislature. Chase Durrance, Dean of Students, reported that the KCTCS colleges were asked to provide a breakdown of the dollars allocated for DEI projects. They were interested in offices and structures that included administrative titles like DEI officers and any pay associated with those persons. They were also interested in curriculum and courses that may contain DEI content.

Academic Affairs – Program Updates – Dr. Kate Senn

Dr. Senn noted that today was the first day to enroll for the spring semester, and in building the schedule looked at ways to increase class capacity. Over the last year, several programs have increased enrollment due to grant funding, partnerships, and recruiting.

Dr. Senn reported that nineteen students in the prison education program will complete their first set of classes in two weeks and start new ones. She added that it is a worthwhile program and looks forward to expansion. Due to grant funding, enrollment in the cosmetology program has doubled with the newly renovated client lab and classroom spaces. The expansion has brought an additional $40,000 in tuition revenue in one semester. An open house is next week. Dr. Senn continued the program updates, noting that the aviation program is due to start classes in two weeks and is on schedule for the FAA to issue the first certification this fall. Currently, there are six students enrolled. Dr. Senn concluded her updates with the grant-funded Tec Hub. The last piece of equipment has been delivered. The Tech Hub was created to support faculty, staff, and students with various technology services.

Enrollment and Student Support Updates – Tammy Maines and Chase Durrance

Interim Dean of Enrollment Management Tammy Maines reported that fall enrollment is up in both credential seeking and total headcount over last fall at the same time in the semester. She noted that we are down six hundred students where we ended the previous fall; however, workforce training classes are counted once the class starts and have not been added to the headcount. There is a potential of 909 students to be added to the headcount by the November 1 census date. In addition, there will be more enrollment movement with Gen100 classes and walk-ins registering for the October 14- 8-week classes. We are projecting to be up at least three hundred students over last fall.

Tammy concluded her report by announcing the Education Express regional tours, with the kickoff in Marshall County on October 24. On November 14, Education Express will be in Mayfield-Graves, with more regional visits to be announced in the spring. Education Express showcases our programs to boost enrollment.

Dean of Students Chase Durrance gave an update on student support. The Get Help campaign was launched to combine the supportive services that WKCTC offers. At the end of last week, 105 submissions for help were received. The breakdown of the students' request needs is as follows:

• Transportation – 69 requests.
• Hunger/Food Insecurity – 44 requests
• Course Fee – 11 requests
• Mental Health – 7 requests
• Housing – 6 request

Please note the same student can request help in multiple areas. The greatest overlap in requests is hunger/transportation. In addition, we have a family scholar kiosk where students can enter basic information to connect them to resources not available at WKCTC. The Campus Cupboard has been updated to a "drop-in, shop-in" model, allowing students to shop for themselves based on their needs.

Budget Updates – Jennifer Tubbs

Jennifer Tubbs, Vice President of Business Affairs, wrapped up the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. After everything was entered, the FY24 budget ended with a surplus of $19,929. The surplus was due to meeting 96% of the budgeted revenue and expense savings of salaries and operating expenses.

Jennifer gave an update on the FY2025 budget.

REVENUE

• Enrollment (through movement in the right direction)
  • Fall 2024 tuition is up $208,228 over Fall 2023
• Decrease in Performance-Based Funding
  • FY25 decrease of $292,000
• Inflation adjustment
  • $459,300 added to base allocation

EXPENSES

• Compensation Decisions
  • Huron Compensation Adjustments (employees)
    • $512,000
  • 3% Cost of Living Allowance for full-time employees
    • $509,000
  • Increase in systemwide contracts and services
    • $316,400
  • Increase in the maintenance service contract
    • 186,760

Campus Operations Updates – Shay Nolan

Vice President of Campus Operations Shay Nolan noted that we are in the process of submitting plans for upgrading restrooms to ADA in Waller Hall, Rosenthal, and Matheson Learning and Resource Center. In addition, there will be an aesthetic refresh for Rosenthal.

Shay concluded with an update on the twenty-year master plan, noting that the consultants had examined WKCTC's history and building assessments. The next steps include a summary of academic space needs and related costs.

Advancement Updates – Andy Wilson

Andy Wilson, Vice President of Advancement, updated the Board on two upcoming events. The PJC-WKCTC Donor reception will be on October 17 and will encourage donor interaction with students. The other event is STEM for ALL on November 7. Terrance Williams will be the keynote speaker. Terrance is the son of former WKCTC Board member Deborah Edmonds. He is an engineer at NASA Johnson Space Center.

Student Government Association (SGA) Report – Patrick Sanders

Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President and WKCTC Student Board Representative Patrick Sanders gave an update on SGA. Patrick noted the following upcoming projects:

Current Projects

• SGA Leadership Wall with Amy Elmore Dedication  - October 24 at 11:00 a.m.
• Trunk or Treat – October 25
• International Thanksgiving Potluck – November 25
• Holiday celebration – December 12

Patrick noted that new SGA positions include an events coordinator, public relations manager, and office manager. Future planning with the SGA will involve more engagement, supporting other clubs, and creating an open environment.

Dr. Reece concluded his report by announcing that WKCTC will receive the Barefoot and Gardner Award as the nation's top two-year college of the year. He commended Geelyn Warren for her role in the application process for the award and noted she had just applied for the Bellwether Award.

Dr. Reece also announced the upcoming retirement of Murray State University (MSU) President Dr. Bob Jackson. As he retires in June, we plan to continue our collaboration with MSU and the incoming administration.

Chair's Report

Chair Simmons reviewed with the Board the revised version of the College Board and the following handouts

• The Kentucky Open Records & Open Meetings Acts: A guide for the public and public agencies
• Managing Government Records: A Cooperative Undertaking An Introduction to Kentucky’s Public Records Management Law

The WKCTC Board of Directors signed the Attorney General’s Proof of Receipt for the handouts.

Chair Simmons reminded the Board of the November 21 joint board meeting with PJC and luncheon in the Anderson Technical Building Bistro. In addition, he noted that fall graduation would be on December 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Carson Center and encouraged attendance. Dr. Reece commented that Mayfield Mayor Kathy O’Nan would be the guest speaker.

Adjournment

Chair Simmons recognized Dr. Reece for his eighth anniversary as President at WKCTC and invited the Board to stay after the meeting for celebratory refreshments. Chair Simmons called for a motion to adjourn. Barry McDonald motioned to adjourn the meeting, and Chuck Murphy seconded. With no discussion, Chair Simmons adjourned the meeting.