BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
OF NEWTON-McDONALD COUNTIES, MISSOURI
12/02/2024
There being a quorum present, the meeting of the Crowder College Board of Trustees of the Community College District of Newton-McDonald Counties, Missouri, was called to order by Board Chair, Mr. Andy Wood, at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, 12/02/2024. Members present at the meeting were:
Andy Wood, Chair
Diane Andris, Vice-Chair
Vickie Barnes, Treasurer
Don McBride, Member
Mandy Barrett, Member
Also attending the meeting were:
Katricia Pierson, President
Elizabeth Armstrong, Executive Assistant to the President
Jessica Struckhoff, Paragon Architecture
Chris McKinzy, Paragon Architecture
Ciara Montez, Paragon Architecture
Elizabeth Stinnett, Paragon Architecture
Ed Barlow, Director of Workforce Training and Development Solutions
Al Stadler, Vice President of Finance
Chett Daniel, Associate Vice President of Career and Technical Education
Tabbitha Schmelzer, Physical Plant Office Manager
Priscilla Gurule, Procurement Accountant
Jared Brown, Associate Vice President of Finance
Joe Brenner, Vice President of Finance
Jamie Ward, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs
Tiffany Slinkard, Vice President of Student Affairs
Cassie Hale, Human Resources Director
Wade Williams, Director of Institutional Advancement
Joani Zibert, Grants Director
Aaron Divine, McDonald County Site Director
Cindy Brown, Public Information Director
Josh Carter, Secondary CTE Director
Melissa Smith, Post-Secondary CTE Director
Mark Fitch, Webb City Site Director
John Larson, Nevada Site Director
Stephanie Witcher, Communications Division Chair
Samir Goffe, Assistant Campus Life Director
Andrew Nwanne, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Paul Schlag, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
Brandi Arthur, Athletics Director
A few moments of silence were observed to prepare for the meeting.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of the September 23 regular meeting and October 11 retreat were approved as written and previously distributed.
Financial Reports
Mr. Wood noted the monthly cash flow statement for September and October 2024. Dr. Pierson responded to additional questions from Board members as needed. Checks in the amount of $3,363,070.29 were reviewed. The rest of the current fund balances and agency accounts were reviewed.
A MOTION to approve the consent agenda was made by Ms. Andris, seconded by Dr. Barrett, and unanimously carried.
Personnel
Dr. Pierson recommended approval of the following personnel changes:
Retirement of Mickie Mahan, Human Resources Generalist, and Julie Dobbs, SSS Executive Director.
Resignation of Chloe Pfrimmer, AEL Instructor, Anita Turner, Data Specialist, Cherie Hayes, Part Time AEL Instructor, Lori Watson, Part Time CTEC Health Science Clinical Supervisor, Marti Millikin, Talent Search Administrative Assistant, Johnny Humphries, Campus Police Officer, James Smith, Evening Custodian, Donald Besswenger, English Language Learner Workplace Instructor, Julie Ramon, Half-Time English Instructor Webb City, Jonathan Davis, Part Time Behavior Technician, Nichole Valenti, Behavior Technician, Tina McGrew, Behavior Technician, Ryan Spencer, Behavior Technician, and Jorge Zapata, Agriculture Instructor/Division Chair.
Change of status of Rian Hassett from the role of Business Department Administrative Assistant to Accounts Payable Assistant, Noel Moffet from the role of Project NOW Academic Coordinator to SSS Project NOW Director, and Timothy Pierce from Computer Technician to Computer Specialist.
Employment of Annette Sawyer, Part-Time English Language Learner Workplace Instructor, Sarah Haskins, Part-Time Student Services Administrative Assistant, Tina McGrew, Behavior Technician, Kaytlin Archibald, EOC Access Advisor, Brittany Ogle, Behavior Technician, Ryan Spencer, Behavior Technician, Brittany Johnson, Behavior Technician, Jared Sage, Farm Operations Manager, Sebastian Sparks, Data Specialist, Kayla Calef, Part-Time English Language Learner Instructor, Aimee Allen, Part-Time AEL Instructor, James Smith, Evening Custodian, Leslie Bateman, Health Science Instructor, and Steve Howe, EMS Instructor and Clinical Coordinator.
A MOTION to approve all personnel changes was made by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Mr. McBride, and unanimously carried.
Academic Programs Update
The Board reviewed the new program request for the Career and Creative Writing Certificate.
Dr. Pierson notified the Board that HLC recently approved the Cardiac Sonography program and GIS certificate previously brought to the Board.
A MOTION to approve the Career and Creative Writing Certificate was made by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Ms. Andris, and unanimously carried.
Budgets and Finances
The board reviewed recent grant applications for the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant and MO Excels Capital Project state grant.
Dr. Pierson also notified the Board that the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant was approved prior to the meeting.
The board was asked to vote on contract and purchase requests for a ballfield finisher, a pneumatic trainer, commercial, equipment, and wind/hail insurance, a change order to architect fees for the Joplin project, Neosho campus flooring projects, HVAC cleaning, and Cisco DUO multi-factor authentication subscription. A MOTION to approve all contracts and purchases as requested was made by Dr. Barrett, seconded by Ms. Andris, and unanimously carried.
The board was then asked to review information regarding purchases of cross country plane tickets, and a golf cart.
Facilities Master Plan
Ms. Struckhoff reviewed the timeline and project phases for the plan. She then reviewed the results of the combined prioritization activities for each instructional center as well as the Neosho campus. Ms. Struckoff provided a visual future site plan for the Neosho campus. Discussion took place regarding the potential areas for future builds, relocation of services/departments, safety concerns, access and the need for the future dining center, funding, and priorities for implementation. The final documentation of the plan will be provided to the Board and college administration by the Paragon team in January.
McDonald County Presentation
Mr. Divine provided a presentational update on the McDonald County Instructional Site. He reviewed personnel, program offerings, course scheduling, facilities contracting, security, children’s center, enrollment, student demographics, possible future updates to the building, and a tiered orientation process for new students. Mr. Divine also discussed the need to develop an “identity” for each instructional site, stating that he envisions the identity of the McDonald County Instruction Site being tied to Allied Health and Nursing. Discussion took place regarding the amount of McDonald County High School students who enroll at Crowder following graduation, marketing, hospital relationships, pass and graduation rates, and students’ need for socialization.
Tuition and Fees – First Reading
Dr. Pierson and Mr. Brenner reviewed the recommended tuition and fee rates for the 2024-2025 academic year including the following increases to base tuition per credit hour: $2 for in district, $7 for out of district, out of state, and international, and $3 for dual credit. Recommended increases to fees per credit hour include: $2 for institutional support, $3 for technology, and $2 for safety and security. Dr. Pierson stated that the new revenue generated by these increases would assist with inflated utility costs and the final implementation phase of the compensation plan. Discussion took place regarding peer institution rates and financial aid applicability. The recommended rates will be brought for second reading and approval at the January Board meeting.
Room and Board – First Reading
Ms. Ward reviewed the recommended room and board rates for the 2024-2025 academic year including the following increases: 7% for Brown residence halls, one bedroom double occupancy RRV, and two bedroom double occupancy; 9% for one bedroom single occupancy, two bedroom single occupancy, and summer occupancy. Ms. Ward stated that the increased revenue would be used to assist with necessary renovations and the inflated cost of goods and services required for housing. Ms. Ward also reviewed room and board rates at peer institutions. Discussion took place regarding occupancy rates, retention, athletes, and community style campus life. The recommended rates will be brought for second reading and approval at the January Board meeting.
Reminder of Board Elections
Dr. Pierson reminded the board that two trustee positions will be up for reelection during the April 8, 2025 election. The positions held by Mr. Wood and Ms. Barnes for Subdistrict 2 will be included in the election. Election filing will occur between Tuesday, December 10 at 8:00 A.M. and Friday, December 20, at 4:00 P.M.
President’s Update
The Board picnic at the end of October had approximately 150 people attending and the bake-off fundraiser brought in $376 for Roughrider Pantry.
The Passport Tour, will be December 6, and is being organized by our Cultural Events Committee. In addition to the Passport Tour, they have organized the second annual holiday spirit week for December 2 – 6. They hosted a raku firing demonstration for the Neosho campus. They are also hosting the Angel Tree, which was set up on November 20.
Classified Staff organized a coat drive on campus and collected coats for students.
Sam Espenschied, Public Services Librarian, and Sam Kohrs, International Coordinator, have worked together to bring back employee-hosted holiday-dinners for students who cannot go home for the holidays.
The Professional Staff association is sponsoring a Crowder College float in the Neosho Christmas Parade and has invited any Crowder employee and their family to participate in the parade.
The Festival of Wreaths silent and live auction grossed $110,000.
Dr. Bridget Kenlee has been published for the second time since joining Crowder College.
Terry Held, English instructor at our Cassville campus, presented at the “Food in Early British Literature” panel at the Arkansas Philological Association Conference.
Dr. Chett Daniel was asked to serve on the St. Louis Federal Reserve’s Community Development Advisory Council.
Cindy Vincent, OTA Program Fieldwork Coordinator, Dr. Amanda Troillette, University of Arkansas instructor, and Cada Koone, U of Arkansas alumni, showcased their joint OT/OTA Collaboration Project at the AOTA Education Summit.
Dr. Ed Barlow, director of TDS, shared with us that this year, our 9-county area has secured $636,000 in customized training awards, surpassing even Metropolitan Community College/KC.
Grants Director, Joani Zibert, hosted a group of faculty and staff on November 21 to brainstorm ideas for our next Title III Strengthening Institutions grant.
We hosted the MCCA Leadership Academy, including participants from each community college in the state, on our Neosho campus November 12-13.
Dr. Pierson and Mr. Stadler joined community members to discuss ways to improve digital literacy in our community through potential grants at the Smarter Newton County Roadmap Workshop.
Dr. Pierson also met with the Joplin Airport Board along with about 25 other community members to discuss ways to improve service at the airport.
Dr. Pierson also attended the HLC Board meeting in October, focusing on ways to assist institutions with collecting evidence for criterion 1.C., and discussing with the Penn Hill Group the changes that will happen in higher education with the change in administration.
Trustees’ Comments and Announcements
None
New Business
None
Executive Session
With no further agenda items, Chairman Wood called for a motion to go into closed session. At 11:58 am, he regular meeting adjourned, and a MOTION to go into closed session in accordance with: RSMo 610.021 to discuss personnel was made by Ms. Barnes, seconded by Ms. Andris, and passed unanimously on the following roll call vote:
Andris: Yes Barnes: Yes McBride: Yes
Wood: Yes Barrett: Yes
Discussion took place about personnel. At 12:41 am A MOTION to adjourn was made by Ms. Andris, seconded by Ms. Barnes, and unanimously carried on the following roll call vote:
McBride: Yes Barnes: Yes Andris: Yes
Wood: Yes Barrett: Yes
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