May 2025

West Kentucky Community & Technical College
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 13, 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, Chuck Murphy, Erika Mehta, Jay Simmons, and Jessica West. Other attendees included Dr. Anton Reece, Shay Nolan, Dr. Kate Senn, Jennifer Tubbs, Andy Wilson, Ashley Burns, Tammy Maines, Whitney Walker, and Melissa Allcock, Assistant Secretary. Taliyah Hamilton, the incoming Student Board Representative, was also present.

Old Business - Approval of the Minutes

A motion was made by Mr. Gorman Bradley and seconded by Mr. Kenneth Hurt to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2025, meeting. Motion passed.

Chair's Report

Chair Simmons recapped the May graduation ceremonies. He thanked Mr. Hurt for representing the Board at the second ceremony in his absence. The Unsung Hero awards presented at graduation went to student Megan Newman and faculty member Melissa Collins.

Mr. Simmons introduced the new Student Government Association (SGA) President and incoming Student Board Representative, Taliyah Hamilton. Taliyah is majoring in Early Childhood Education. She stated that her goal with SGA is to increase student engagement, which she feels will benefit enrollment.

Mr. Simmons directed the Board to the handout with the proposed 2025-2026 meeting dates for notable conflicts. No conflicts were identified. The Board meeting dates for 2025-2026 are as follows:

• July 15, 2025, Retreat 8:00 a.m. to noon Emerging Technology Center Room 140
• October 14, 2025, 2:00 p.m. Anderson Technical Building Conference Room
• November 20, 2025, noon Anderson Technical Building Bistro – Joint lunch meeting with Paducah Junior College Foundation Board of Trustees
• March 3, 2026, 2:00 p.m. Anderson Technical Building Conference Room
• May 12, 2026 2:00 p.m. Anderson Technical Building Conference Room
• July 14, 2026, Retreat 8:00 a.m. to noon Emerging Technology Center Room 140

 

President's Report

Budget – Jennifer Tubbs

Jennifer Tubbs gave a wrap-up of the fiscal year 2025 budget. The FY25 year-end revenue is projected at $25,178,855(excluding grants). The contributing factors include a decrease in performance-based funding of $292,000. In addition, a $3 per credit

hour rate increase in tuition contributed to the revenue. An increase in enrollment over Fall 2023 resulted in an additional $244,388 in revenue, and the spring tuition is up $182,877 over Spring 2024. An inflation adjustment of $459,300 was added to the base allocation, which helps with insurance premiums.

Projected expenses for FY25, excluding grants, total $26,556,413. Contributing factors to the cost increases were Huron compensation adjustments of $512,000, a 3% cost-of-living allowance for full-time employees at $509,000, an increase in system-wide contracts and services of $316,000, and an increase to the maintenance service contract at $186,760.

Jennifer Tubbs presented the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for Board approval.

Factors affecting revenue and expenses when planning the Fiscal Year 2026 budget:

Revenue

• The Performance-Based Funding
  • Fiscal Year 2026, WKCTC will not receive
• Enrollment
  • WKCTC is seeing an enrollment increase
    • $60,000 for every .5% increase
  • Tuition increase to $6 per credit hour*
    • $375, 822
• Non-Recurring Revenue
  • Inflation adjustment – $459,300
  • State Allocation – Aviation Program
    • $1.4 million
• Non-Recurring Expenses
  • Anderson Technical Building and Emerging Technology Center
    • $800,000
  • Aviation Equipment and Supplies
    • $1.4 million
• Recurring Expenses
  • Compensation
    • Budgeted 2% Cost of Living Allowance*
      • $232,033
    • Budgeted to address compression*
      • $123,610

*To be voted on at the June 12-13 KCTCS Board of Regents meeting

Jennifer continued with the trial balance 2026 projections (Appendix A "appendices on file and available upon request"), highlighting revenue and expense changes from the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. She noted that the reserve funding amount had increased by approximately $80,000 to accommodate a 5% increase, implemented gradually.

Mission-Vision-Values and Strategic Plan Updates – Geelyn Warren

Geelyn Warren presented the changes necessary to meet the compliance requirements of House Bill 4, which pertains to any language or efforts put forth by colleges and universities that may imply they provide differential treatment to groups on any basis. The deadline to make the changes is June 27, 2025. See Appendix B "appendices on file and available upon request"

In addition to the changes in the Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Plan, other areas that may be affected include but are not limited to, the WKCTC website, endowments, scholarships, and sponsorships.

New Business

Approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

Chair Simmons called for a motion to approve the fiscal year 2026 budget. A motion was made by Mr. Barry McDonald and seconded by Ms. Erika Mehta to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 budget as presented. Motion passed.

Approval of the Mission-Vision-Values and Strategic Plan Updates

Chair Simmons called for a motion to approve the edits to the Mission-Vision-Values as well as the Strategic Plan. A motion was made by Mr. Gorman Bradley and seconded by Mr. Barry McDonald to approve the Mission-Vision-Values and Strategic Plan changes as presented. Motion passed.

Board Evaluation of Dr. Anton Reece

Chair Simmons reviewed a summary of the Board's evaluation of Dr. Reece.

Overall, Dr. Reece either met or exceeded expectations in all sections and subsections of the evaluation. The results are not unexpected, considering the college continues to win national awards, has increased enrollment, and maintains strong community relations.

 

Contributions Dr. Reece made to move the college forward in the past year included

• The Education Express that goes out into all of the surrounding communities, highlighting the college and all it does
• Increased enrollment
• Continued use and advancement of the Student Success Center
• National awards were received, particularly the Barefoot and Gardner Award, recognizing the institution as the top two-year college in the nation.
• Aviation and other programs that were started and advanced during the year.
• The formation of the President's Leadership Academy
• His work with legislators in navigating potential changes to KCTCS.
• The amount of change and new staff that have occurred over the past few years.
• The overall success and reputation of the college, along with its fundraising efforts.

Issues and concerns the Board wanted Dr. Reece to focus on in the 2025-2026 academic year  included

• Continue to work with legislators for the benefit of the college
• Look into adding new programs such as plumbing, carpentry, brick masonry, and electricity
• Continue to increase enrollment
• Keeping accreditation and the local boards
• Retain current faculty and lobby for increased wages
• Ramp up dual credit and promote and enhance it in the local high schools, as well as devote talented people to it in the faculty and staff
• Continue overall good work in budgeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Chuck Murphy and seconded by Mr. Gorman Bradley to accept the evaluation results of Dr. Anton Reece. Motion passed.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Ms. Erika Mehta and seconded by Mr. Barry McDonald to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed.