March 2025 | WKCTC

President's Cabinet

March 2025

West Kentucky Community & Technical College
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
March 4, 2025, 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, Patrick Sanders, Jay Simmons, and Jessica West. Other attendees included Dr. Anton Reece, Shay Nolan, Dr. Kate Senn, Jennifer Tubbs, Andy Wilson, Ashley Burns, Chase Durrance, Tammy Maines, Whitney Walker, and Melissa Allcock, Assistant Secretary.

Old Business - Approval of the Minutes

A motion was made by Mr. Barry McDonald and seconded by Mr. Gorman Bradley to approve the minutes of the November 21, 2024, meeting. Motion passed.

New Business – Action Item

Campus Operations – Shay Nolan

Vice President of Campus Operations Shay Nolan presented the Strategic Needs Analysis(SNA), which was submitted to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) office for the Board’s action. Shay noted that four projects were submitted for the fiscal years 2026-2028. They included the following.

  • Anderson Technical Building
    • Cooling Tower - $2,000,000 (unit is past its life expectancy)
    • Program Expansion - $1,500,000 (allows welding to increase by one full program)
  • Skilled Craft Training Center – Hickory
    • Expansion to centralize all auto-related programs
  • Main Campus
    • LED sign by the interstate as an increase and retention tool for enrollment

Additionally, Shay reported that four projects were also submitted for the second biennium (fiscal years 2028-2030), which include the following:

  • Grounds Sidewalks - $1,000,000 for safety and ADA compliance
  • Anderson Technical Building roof - $4,000,000 (past its life expectancy)
  • Health Sciences Building updates - $1,500,000 for cosmetic structural repairs and installation of a larger elevator
  • Campus HVAC Equipment - *$1,000,000 (past its life expectancy)

*The amount is a placeholder until the final numbers are tabulated.

Lastly, Shay noted that the submission for the fiscal years 2030-2032 included the following:

  • Rosenthal - $1,500,000 for aesthetics update and new roof
  • Health Sciences Building - $33,000,000 for an expansion of a new wing to the east of the current structure.

Dr. Reece noted that all sixteen colleges in KCTCS submit their respective plans, and then KCTCS prioritizes what gets funded first, which doesn’t necessarily mean our projects will be funded later this year.

Chair Simmons inquired whether the Health Science Building expansion was a result of the increasing number of students and the program’s success. Shay responded that the need is there, with many of the classes packed.

Additionally, a question was asked regarding the projected square footage of the Skilled Craft Training Center's expansion. Shay estimated by a third and will follow up with the Board for a more accurate estimate.

Chair Simmons called for a motion to approve the Strategic Needs Analysis (SNA). Ms. Erika Mehta made the motion, which was seconded by Mr. Barry McDonald. Motion passed. SNA approval is attached.

Chair's Report

Chair Simmons reported that KCTCS President Dr. Ryan Quarles had requested updates on our Board vacancies to share with the Governor. We are waiting to hear the outcome of that conversation. We still have a vacancy to fill Chris Roty’s appointment. Additionally, the terms of Barry McDonald, Chuck Murphy, and Ken Hurt expired on April 3, 2024, and they subsequently applied for reappointment. Erika’s term expires on April 3 this year, and she is considering reapplying. 

Chair Simmons noted that at the May 13 meeting, the Board will vote on the fiscal year 2026 budget, and updates on that will be presented later in the meeting. Also, Dr. Reece's annual performance evaluation will be shared and voted on at the May meeting.  Mr. Simmons stated that he would send the evaluation documents to the Board members as soon as they become available.

President's Report

President's Leadership Team (PLT) and Legislative Updates

Dr. Reece noted that, given the combination of legislative challenges in the short session, the outcome of Senate Joint Resolution 179 remains unknown. It is possible that the session could close without addressing the two areas of persistence within the resolution: single accreditation and mergers and consolidations.

Budget – Jennifer Tubbs 

Vice President of Business Services Jennifer Tubbs updated the Board on the fiscal year 2024 budget year-to-date based on unrestricted revenue and expenses. At the end of FY24, we ended up with nearly $20,000 in the black, after having projected a shortfall of almost $900,000. The FY25 year-end revenue is projected at $25,300,832, representing a $534,161 shortage variance compared to the originally budgeted amount. The FY25 year-end expenses are projected at $25,556,989, a surplus variance of $4,980,558 from the original budgeted expenses. The projected year-end revenue and expenses would result in an FY25 projected shortfall of $256,157. College reserve funds would be used to cover any projected shortfall.

Jennifer discussed the factors considered when developing the FY26 budget.


Revenue

  • Tuition Revenue
    • Hoping for a $3/credit hour increase in credential-seeking tuition, which would yield an additional $250,000 in tuition dollars
    • Hoping that credential-seeking enrollment continues to increase.
  • State Appropriations
    • $1.4 million for the WKCTC Aviation program
    • $459,300 given for inflation increases

Expenses

  • System-wide Contracts typically go up each year.
  • Compensation
    • Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) – Budgeting annually for a 3% COLA into KCTCS BOR would still vote on any increase in wages.
    • Compression – possibly use a portion of the 3% to address compression
    • Faculty Promotion
  • Performance-based funding
    • Does not appear that WKCTC will receive funding

Jennifer reviewed the FY2026 budget timeline:

In February, the strategic needs and personnel analysis was completed and submitted for review. On March 3, the budget module opened for initial data entry. Dr. Reece and Jennifer Tubbs will meet with individual cabinet members in March to review their unit strategic needs analysis and personnel submissions. On April 18, tuition and mandatory fees will be set. On May 5, the budget module closes. On May 13, the FY26 budget will be presented to the WKCTC Board of Directors for approval. The KCTCS Board of Regents will meet on June 12-13 to approve all college budgets. Finally, on July 1, the FY26 budget begins.

Enrollment – Tammy Maines

Dean of Enrollment Tammy Maines reported that the final headcount for the spring of 2024 was 4,167 students. We currently have 3,967 students as of last Friday for the spring 2025 semester. We anticipate adding 400 students from workforce classes before the March 31 snapshot date, resulting in an overall increase for the spring 2025 semester.      Dr. Reece thanked Tammy and Jennifer for their leadership with the cross-functional team to focus on moving enrollment in the right direction.

Student Support – Chase Durrance

Dean of Students Chase Durrance reported that the Get Help Campaign supported students with a total of $26,139.98 in the fall 2024 semester.

  • $17,106.75 – Campus Cupboard
  • $9,033.83 – Emergency Spending
    • 20% reclassified to Campus Cupboard - $3,375.56
    • Gas support - $2,900 (116 gas cards)
    • Bus passes - $243.60
    • Class fees/course materials - $1,261.15
    • Bill payment - $1,308.06
  • 318 cases as of 2/26/2025
    • 208 Fall 2024
    • 110 for Spring 2025
  • 49 referrals to 4-Rivers Behavioral Health

Additionally, Chase updated the Board on student enrichment activities throughout the semester.

A question was asked about the criteria for getting a gas support card and a bus pass. Chase noted that the gas cards were largely to support students with longer commutes to campus. The bus passes are primarily used in McCracken County except for the Fulton Area Transit program, which allows us to book bus trips from other counties.

Academic Affairs – Dr. Kate Senn

Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Kate Senn, reported that all orders for equipment for the Aviation program have been placed and will be on site for classes starting in August. 

Additionally, due to scholarship support, the Prison Education program began with a small cohort last fall, and in the fall of 2025, the cohort will increase from 20 to 40. The program is changing lives, and approximately 75% of students are either on the Dean’s or President’s list.


Dr. Senn also noted that the Computer Engineering Technology is a part of our partnership with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky School of Engineering will begin offering its third- and fourth-year classes this fall.

Additionally, we plan to pursue an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Education. Students will be able to use the Work Ready Scholarship in pursuit of this degree. Murray State University School of Education is excited to have our students; they are helping us through the process to ensure a seamless transfer, allowing our students to complete a bachelor's degree and potentially start as a paraprofessional within our school systems.

Dr. Senn also reported that we’re starting to have discussions on the most effective and efficient ways to share programs and courses within KCTCS, aiming to increase our opportunities for students.

Advancement – Andy Wilson

Andy Wilson, Vice President of Advancement, highlighted the 2025 Advancement Strategic Plan. After reviewing historical data, progressive goals were established to advance a strategic fundraising initiative. Several areas of focus include major gifts, estate planning, annual giving, scholarships, corporate opportunities, and alumni engagement.


Additionally, the Paducah Junior College (PJC) Foundation plays a crucial role in the Advancement department. Within the Board of Trustees, we are looking at succession planning for the transition of new Board members, which will include new member orientation and retreats.

Professional development opportunities for motivation and growth of our faculty and staff.

Lastly, the Clemens Fine Arts Center, the Paducah School of Art and Design, and the Challenger Learning Center are currently working on or have completed their strategic plans, which will be incorporated into the Advancement Strategic Plan.

Announcements – Whitney Walker

Whitney Walker, Director of Marketing and Communications, announced several upcoming events.

  • Open Houses – allowing potential students and their families to tour our facilities, meet faculty and staff, and receive enrollment support
  • Regional Educators and Scholarship Program – March 27, 2025, in the Clemens Fine Arts Center – A record number of nominees, including 204, have confirmed their participation.
  • Education Express -  Visiting different counties to talk about the WKCTC academic and workforce impact on their respective areas
  • Going Pro – April 17, 2025 – A signing for students going from WKCTC directly into the workforce from programs in Business & IT, Transportation and Logistics, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, and Healthcare
  • Other Events
    • Pathfinder of the Year Award
    • Barefoot and Gardner Award Celebration – April 11, 2025, noon – 1:30 p.m., Student Center
    • Dual Credit Week – April 14-18, 2025
    • Day of Giving – April 16, 2025
  • Spring Commencement – May 12, 2025, at the Carson Center – First Ceremony at 4:00 and second ceremony at 7:00.

Adjournment

Chair Simmons called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Erika Mehta moved to adjourn, and Mr. Gorman Bradley seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.