HCTC Board of Directors | HCTC

Leadership

HCTC Board of Directors

April 25, 2024, reschedule for May 6, 2024
Minutes

Present: Chair William “Bill” Weinberg, Vice Chair, Dr. Larry “Bart” Francis, Secretary Dew Gorman, Chuck Davidson, Amelia Prater, Derrick Bowling (TEAMS), Don Barnes, Charlene Fugate and Robert Higdon

Guest: Professor Amy Wernett, Jessica Barger, Dr. Jennifer Lindon, Connie Watts, Dr. Deronda Mobelini (TEAMS), Dr. Ella Strong (TEAMS), Donna Roark and Delcie Combs

Chair Weinberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Chair Weinberg asked for a review of the minutes from the February 22, 2024, Board Meeting. Don Barnes moved, and Dew Gorman seconded the motion to approve the minutes. The motion was passed unanimously.

Action Item

Connie Watts, Chief Business Officer, presented the 2024-25 Annual Budget Request. Connie stated the current budget sheet placed in the board packet has been updated, from $49,939,400.00 to $50,439,400.00. The budget was built to cover the $500,000 fund balance maintenance work that needed to be done, such as cleaning of the duct work in the Jolly Classroom Center. Connie noted that the budget is not finalized until the Board of Regents approves it, therefore, there is rounding up and down of funds. The function of expenses in the middle of the page is the total amount set aside for instruction. Under the object of expenses, you see the total number of personnel, adding unrestricted and restricted, equals $18,807,900.00 for personnel cost for next year. There will be a proposed tuition increase for FY 2024-25 and will be voted on in June. Connie noted in the columns unrestricted means that the funds can be used for everything within the KCTCS policy and procedures, and restricted are grants and gifts that are restricted on how the funds can be expended. Transfer category is funds used for capital projects, money to be used to start a project. Transfer could also be matching funds for grants. Transfer funds need to be sent to the system before a grant is set up.

Chair Weinberg noted a difference in the personnel cost from the previous balance sheet of around $22,000. Dr. Lindon stated that is due to the results of the Heron study with salary changes.

Student Higdon asked what was being done with the salary savings of an employee that transferred to Etown? Dr. Lindon stated that she is looking at the whole structure and personnel in that area and could possibly do several reclasses in that area and utilize the salary savings for the reclasses.

Connie stated that the biggest change this year is in the state allocation. This year it is $9,354,000.00 and last year it was $11,000,000.00. Dr. Quarles, President of KCTCS, said there is no point of giving HCTC the funds and then taking it back from us. The difference in these funds is used for contract services.

Dr. Lindon stated that she turned in a preferred maintenance list of priorities for next year. These can be changed if needed.

  • Roof on Industrial Education Building
  • HVAC and Duct Work, Jolly Center
  • Elevator, Industrial Education Building
  • Masonry work, Smith building
  • ADA Accessibility, Lees Campus

Don Barnes asked about leases pertaining to the gym and parking lot on Main Street. Connie stated that funds collected goes into the fund balance and can only be used at the Lees Campus.

Dr. Francis moved and Chuck Davidson seconded the motion to approve Resolution 2-24, 2024-25 Annual Budget Request. Motion passed unanimously.

President’s Report

Amy Wernette, Professor and Jessica Barger, Staff and leaders for the Quality Enhancement Plan present the initial teams’ findings in determining the next QEP focus. Professor Wernette presented an overview of how the QEP focus was determined. The HCTC Leadership Team selected a team of 18 members (faculty, staff and students) to look at what the next QEP focus would be. The team researched other colleges. Then each member of the team was asked to bring back one thing that could most effect student learning and success at HCTC. From the team’s 18 ideas the team narrowed it down to 5 things. The 5 things were selected based on if they could be measured, tracked and or tied to our strategic plan. Next a survey was developed with the 5 major things selected. The survey was then sent out to external stakeholders, faculty, staff, students and employers. The survey result was overwhelming for Employability Skills and Connections. Professor Wernett noted they received 300 responses to the survey. There are more paper surveys that were filled out but have not been added to the data shared tonight. Professor Wernette ask the Boad members what they would like to see the team focus on regarding student employability skills. – what is important to the board.

  • Students – making a connection to employers.
  • Find the jobs for the careers that we need in our area so students can stay here.
  • Soft skills – use Adult Ed soft skills testing.
  • Possibly more Apprenticeships would make the connection between the student and the employees.
  • Have a union connection.

Chair Weinberg mentioned his concern regarding the survey data with the difference in the external stakeholders and students regarding online classes. Professor Wernette stated that SACS only allows one QEP topic, other suggested ideas of concern will be shared with others that are not a part of the QEP. Chair Weinberg thanked Professor Wernette and Ms. Barger for their presentation.

Dr. Lindon highlighted college accomplishments. (PowerPoint)

2023-24 Points of Pride

  • The biggest thing that occurred this year was in July 2023 the college presented a four-year proposal to CPE. The proposal was sent to KCTCS and the board of Regents. CPE loved it and ran with it and shared with Senator Stivers. Lot of discussion is going on. Stivers proposed SJR 132.
  • $2.5 Million EDA Grant Awarded for Wolfe County Campus and $3.8 Million ARC RCAP – Rural Community Advancement Projects Grant Number Assigned.
  • $1 million Donation from Dr. Polisetty - $750,000 for Vocational Trades Scholarship and $250.000 institutional scholarships
  • $50,000 Endowment started for Education Program Scholarships
  • First Successful Re-entry Training Program Graduation in December and a second planned for May.
  • Peer Support Specialist/Beacons of Hope
  • Lee Adjustment Training Program has begun at the prison. We have several faculty teaching at the prison. Over 300 applicants at the prison
  • Second highest number of credentials awarded 2.068 credentials.
  • No findings of HCTC internal audit conducted by KCTCS outsourced auditor, success veterans and financial aid audit, PPA completed.
  • RPED Grant - $2.2 million, dual credit/retention focused- additional staff, scholarship specialist, and advisors in the hubs at the high schools.
  • Title III Grant Award - $2.25 Million, Grants and Retention focused. Hired a Retention coordinator to support students’ hand in hand. We also hired the Director of Grants and Contracts to help administer the grant.
  • $1 million Heavy Equipment Grant from ARC. We purchased a new truck and pieces of equipment. Only heavy equipment program in the state to receive a certificate.
  • GED stipend Program initiated.
  • Diversity Plan Report Approved by CPE – Eligible to submit new academic programs.
  • Worked with system to put annual raise in budget for employees. Presidents all agree to build in 3% funds for future raises.
  • Leadership exchange with SKCTC, mentoring Dr. Patsy Jackson, and the new interim president at SKCTC
  • Safety Measures in place – reflective film on windows, new automatic locking system for main doors, new locks that lock from the inside on all campuses. Donna mention that we are also purchasing a lock down key system for all doors. This will allow maintenance to hit a button and be able to lock all external doors at one time.
  • Fall enrollment – exceeded goal by 194 students. Also exceeded Fall FTE and credit hour goals. Short on Spring Goal by approximately 256. 150 of this number was due to Breathitt ATC students being entered in Fall vs. Spring
  • Invited to compete for the Aspen Prize. We did not get into the second round. Have received data but have not had time to look at it.
  • Hosted first ever DEIB Conference focused on rural areas.
  • Success Zone Renovations completed.
  • Tech Solutions piloted Webex for KCTCS, converted all VoIP phones and upgraded all infrastructure to support Webex and moved successfully nearly 300 phones.
  • Implemented bit locker encryption on all college and replaced employee computers.
  • Collaborative no show and cancellation process implemented.
  • CPE FYE Bridge programs, male student of color initiative
  • SACSCOC – zero findings on Fifth Year Interim Report
  • Accreditation, Radiography received zero recommendation and continued CAPTE accreditation through JCERT, RN Nursing had a successful ACEN visit with conditional approval.
  • Skills USA Students Going to Nationals
  • KCTCS First Annual Giving Day!
  • Healthcare Careers Fair, Rotary Day, UCM, College Career Transfer Fair, Presence at Fall Festivals, Basketball Games
  • The number of students receiving accommodations rose from 152 in fall (credential seeking) to 193 (credential seeking) in Spring 24. Total students receiving services in 209.
  • Course completion rates, retention rates, and program completion rates for students receiving services are higher than the HCTC average in these areas.

2024-25 Focus/Opportunities

  • Focus on enrollment and retention. The RPED Grant should assist with this focus due to the additional support we can provide in the HCTC high school hubs.
  • Retention focus – Success Zone continues, Title III allowed us to hire retention coordinator, and we have a very active student engagement committee.
  • SJR 132 and 179 will conclude in December – Board member ask if Dr. Lindon was looking at Private funding – Dr. Lindon said yes, possible a local person who could give back to Eastern KY
  • Continue Huron Work – The current Huron Study implementation did not address long-term employee increases.

2024-25 Focus/Challenges

  • Enrollment – new FAFSA issues, lower numbers of seniors, etc.
  • Retention/Engagement – struggle for balance
  • Facilities
  • Safety – Robert asked if we are doing away with the safety officers for the summer. Dr. Lindon has set aside funds to hire our own safety officers.
  • Growth

Conne Watts informed the board that this would be her last meeting and will be retiring after 42 years. Chair Weinberg and others thanked her for her service to the Board and the college.

President’s Evaluation

Chair Weinberg informed the Board the evaluation sheet is in the packet. We will evaluate each question by a rating. Chair Weinberg summarized comments for each statement and will forward them to Dr. Quarles to utilize in Dr. Lindon’s evaluation. (attachment)

Chair Weinberg shared comments with Dr. Lindon.

Open Discussion

Dr. Lindon stated that she is looking at restructuring of the leadership team – the system had mentioned we have too many on our team but how do we continue to be inclusive?

Dr. Francis how is student input gathered and shared with the Leadership Team. Dr. Lindon stated that Student representatives are assigned to committees and their input flows up to the leadership team.

Chair Weinberg ask for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Chuck Davidson moved, and Dew Gorman seconded the motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted.

Dew Gorman, Board Secretary

Forwarded by Delcie Comb, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Board.

8:30 p.m.