HCTC Board of Directors | HCTC

Leadership

HCTC Board of Directors

May 1, 2025

Minutes

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

Guests:  Dr. Jennifer Lindon, Dr. Deronda Mobelini (TEAMS), Delcie Combs, Dr. Ella Strong, Jackie Hall, Caleb Bates, Patrick Clark and Sandy Mcintosh

Chair William “Bill” Weinberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.  First action of business is the approval of the minutes of the February 26th meeting.  After reviewing the minutes of the board, Don Barnes made the motion to approve the minutes. Charlene Fugate seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Annual Budget Request: Jackie Hall, Chief Business Officer, discussed the 2025-2026 annual budget request, highlighting the increase in tuition by $6 per credit hour, which is expected to bring in approximately $250,000 additional revenue. This increase will help support the college's financial needs and initiatives. The Board of Regents needs to approve this increase. Tuition Increase: Jackie Hall detailed the proposed increase in tuition by $6 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year. With the Board of Regents approval before this increase can take effect. Jackie emphasized the importance of this approval for the budget plan to proceed. Tuition Revenue: The fall and spring tuition revenue exceeded expectations by $500,000. The current tuition rate is $189 per credit hour, which will increase to $195 per credit hour once approved by the Board. This increase is crucial for the budget. Also, it was reported that the fall and spring tuition revenue exceeded expectations by $500,000, indicating strong enrollment and financial performance. State allocations have remained roughly the same, with a slight increase of $25,000 from last year. System-wide services and contracts come off the top of the state appropriation. The budget reserve of $602,000, which is required by the board. The reserve is a combination of tuition and state allocation at 3.25%. The goal is to increase the reserve by 0.25% every year until it reaches almost 2%. The budget reserve of $602,000 is mandated by the board, combining tuition and state allocation at 3.25%. This reserve is essential for financial stability. The goal is to incrementally increase the budget reserve by 0.25% each year until it reaches nearly 2%, ensuring long-term financial health. The budget reserve requirement is a directive from the board, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy reserve for unforeseen circumstances.

Personnel Costs: Jackie Hall also discussed the personnel costs, including a 2% across-the-board increase for full-time employees and a compression adjustment for years of service, ranging from 0% to 2.5%, to address salary disparities among long-term employees. The total cost for these adjustments is approximately $400,000. This adjustment aims to improve employee compensation. Professional Development: Jackie Hall and Don Barnes discussed the need for increased professional development spending for faculty, including attending national conferences and bringing in new ideas and insights. They are looking at Title III and Perkins grants to support this. Investing in faculty development is crucial for bringing innovative practices and knowledge to the college, enhancing the overall educational experience. Retirements and Salary Increases: She mentioned that several retirements have helped cover the salary increases. Positions are being filled at lower levels, which has allowed for salary adjustments.

Chair Bill Weinberg asked for a motion to approve the 2025-26 Annual Budget request. Chuck Davidson made the motion, and Don Barnes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Marketing Department Overview: Delcie Combs, Marketing Director, introduced the marketing team consisting of Caleb Bates, Public Relations Coordinator and Patrick Clark, Graphic Designer. Not present, but hired as of today’s date is Misty Lewis, Retention Specialist. An overview was provided of the marketing department's accomplishments, including winning national awards, increasing digital branding, and implementing a ticketing system to streamline stakeholder needs. The marketing department has achieved significant recognition, winning 20 National Council and Marketing Public Relations awards for various productions. The team has worked to enhance digital branding through advertisements on Google, social media, and local media outlets, reaching a broad audience. A new ticketing system has been implemented to streamline stakeholders’ needs, improving efficiency and communication within the marketing department. Delcie invited board members to the upcoming graduation on May 10th, emphasizing the importance of their presence at this significant event. She also highlighted various events and activities that have taken place, such as dual credit week, spring flings, and community service activities. Delcie emphasized the college's efforts to engage with the community through events like Earth Day, game nights, and club activities, fostering a sense of belonging and involvement.

 

Dr. Lindon presented the Mission Statement Resolution 5-25 to the Board for approval, with changes that have been made. With their approval, it will move on to the Board of Regents for their approval in June.  Dr. Lindon stated that we (HCTC) must have the Mission to be in compliance with a new statute that was passed in the Spring in the House, HB 4. If not found in compliance with HB 4, we could lose our funding. The Board of Directors is to vote on the Mission as well as the values.

 

MISSION

Hazard Community and Technical College empowers students by providing equitable educational opportunities that lead to student success, rewarding careers, and community enhancement.

Hazard Community and Technical College is a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System serving the needs of Southeastern Kentucky.

VISION

Hazard Community and Technical College inspires hope and transforms lives through progressive educational opportunities.

VALUES

Teaching and Learning supported through:

Community

Compassion

Empowerment

Equity

Excellence

Heritage

Hope

Innovation

Perseverance

Respect

Chair Bill Weinberg asked for a motion to approve the revised Mission and Values.  To be in compliance with state HB 4, the word equitable will be removed from the mission and the word equity will be removed from the values. Don Barnes made the motion. Charlene Fugate seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.  Some members abstained. Due to several of the Board members participating via Teams, a roll call of votes was requested. The Board of Directors members were also briefed on HB 4 as the mission is being changed to be in compliance withs state HB 4.

 

 

HB 4

 

  • HB Protects Academic Freedom, free speech and peaceful assembly, accreditation requirements
  • Requires – annual reporting, statement of institutional compliance, campus climate survey
  • Prohibits – use of college resources including dollars, personnel, time, supplies, materials, equipment, digital resources
  • Prohibits – DEI offices, mandatory training, DEI plans, diversity standards, preferential admissions, hiring, or contracting, new scholarships

  • Chair Bill Weinberg – abstained
  • Bart Francis (TEAMS) – abstained
  • Derrick Bowling (TEAMS) – yes
  • Amelia Prater (TEAMS) – yes
  • Brian Blair (TEAMS) – yes
  • Charlene Fugate – yes
  • Chuck Davidson – yes
  • Don Barnes - yes

 

Presidents Report

RECENT CELEBRATIONS:

  • Successful PEP SACSCOC Visit with NO Recommendations!
  • Successful Dual Credit Week!
  • An egg hunt on Hazard Campus was Enjoyed by Students and their Families!
  • Spring Flings, Movie Nights, Earth Day Events, Game Nights, Club Events, and many other student engagement events
  • Numerous Staff and Faculty Events – Community Service, Donut Socials
  • Flood Relief – 87 checks written, $500 each,5 employees, Fed City and County Workers
  • ACEN Accreditation!
  • Numerous Student Recruitment and Enrollment Events – Grown from 2,630 in Fall 2020 to 3,136 in Fall 2024, More PT, fewer credits, dual credit and workforce grown
  • Our high school senior matriculation rate has grown from 21% in 2021 to 26% in 2023. 5 percentage point growth! Nat. Av. 20%
  • We have increased our first-time, full-time graduation rate by 5 percentage points from the 2019 cohort to the 2022 cohort. We went from 44 – 49%.
  • Total Credentials Awarded Has Consistently Increased from 2,096 in 19-20 to 2,112 in 23-24.
  • HCTC has improved its transfer rate by 4.3 percentage points from 17-18 to 22-23 for AA/AS students who transfer to a four-year institution within one year of graduation.
  • 53% of students reported on Starfish as academically struggling attended tutoring and passed with an A, B, C grade in Fall 23 and 41% in Spring 2024. 71% passed their classes who had tutoring logged in Tutor Trac in fall 23 and 65% in Spring 2024 with an A, B, C grade.
  • Students are using Success Zones! Fall 2022 – 161 Unduplicated Students to 686 in Fall 2024! Various services from career coaching to tutoring.
  • Fall to Spring Credential Seeking Student Persistence – 66.1 % Average, SP to Fall – 55%



     

    24-25 GRANT/Fundraising

     
  • Serve Ky Peer Mentor Program - $60,000
  • CPE Nuclear Med Program - $50,000
  • Nuc Med, LPN, and RN Scholarship Grants with ARH and CPE - $145,000
  • PRI - $100,000
  • Ky Opioid - $500,000
  • Adult Ed - $650,000
  • Fundraising efforts - $45,000 Whitaker, New Scholarship Endowments, Lees Inc. Continued Work, $40,000 Flood Relief



    24-25 Celebrations

     
  • Great Colleges to Work for Survey
  • Title III Evaluation and DOL Evaluation
  • New Dual Credit Pathways – PLTW Engineering, UST, Education, Laurel, Knott ATC – Auto, Leslie ATC – 3D Printing
  • Wolfe County, Tech Campus
  • Multiple instructional sites approved by SACS
  • New Nuclear Med Program
  • National Presentation- RxSummit
  • Business Office Closed 23-24 with Positive Fund Balance
  • Implemented New Electronic Travel Form
  • Campus Student Lounge and Other Improvements
  • New M and O and safety reporting structure



    Tech Solutions Top Accomplishments

     
  1. Proof of Concept piloting for KCTCS--transitioning all phones to Webex and replacing all wireless access points to Juniper creating a cost savings for the college
  2. Implementation of ID Badge access for all campuses entry doors
  3. Implementing AI into our security systems creates trigger alerts for safety department.
  4. Major changes to Microsoft and moving all machines to Windows 11.

 

 

25-26 Focus/Opportunities

 

  • Continued SJR 179 and 132 Work
  • Focus on Compression and Salary Increases
  • Focus on Retention, Enrollment, Engagement
  • Title III/Grants Management Focu
  • Recovery and Re-Entry
  • Facilities – Continued Improvements



    25-26 FOCUS/Challenges

     
  • Enrollment Cliff
  • Safety
  • HB 4
  • Uncertain Educational Landscape
  • Performance Based Funding/Lack of Funding
  • Advocacy
  • Loss of Institutional Knowledge



    25-26 MY FOCUS

     
  • Communication
  • Dual Credit Communication
  • New Employee Communication
  • Restructuring and Upcoming Strategic Plan
  • Fundraising and Sponsored Projects
  • Compression
  • SACSCOC 10-Year
  • Campus Visits
  • Recovery and Re-Entry
  • Four Year Advocacy and Performance Funding Advocacy



    Don Barnes asked Dr. Lindon 2 questions. The first question - If an issue with sick leave for Faculty has been addressed? If the 5 sick days obtained during a semester are not used, they are lost at the end of the semester. Dr. Lindon replied that she had not heard it mentioned at the President’s meetings, but she will ask at the next meeting. The second question is that he feels Academics does not have a strong enough voice on PLT. What can be done about that? Dr. Lindon replied she is attempting to have less members on the PLT and should address that concern to some degree.

     

    Chair Bill Weinberg asked who is on Dr. Lindon’s PLT? Dr. Lindon, replied Dr. Strong, CAO, Dr. Mobelini, Chief Student Affairs Officer, Jackie Hall, Chief Financial Officer, Donna Roark, Chief Information Officer and Keila Miller, Chief Workforce Officer. HR and Marketing were on there, but those positions will roll off as those staff are retiring.

     

    President's Evaluation: The board conducted the President's evaluation, highlighting Dr. Lindon’s commitment to student growth, advocacy for Eastern Kentucky, and effective communication at all levels. All questions posed to the Board of the Presidents performance and effectiveness were answered unanimously that Dr. Lindon has exceeded expectations. The Board followed up with issues or concerns that the President should focus on for 2025-26.
  • Work for 4-year status for HCTC.
  • Strong support for Academic learning.
  • Strengthen the Nursing program through plans and implementation.
  • Continue work on communication with key groups.

Board Open Discussion: Dr. Lindon and Delcie Combs expressed their appreciation for Sandy McIntosh, who is leaving her position as Executive Assistant to the President. Next Board of Directors meeting will be August 21, 2025. Other upcoming dates were also mentioned:

May 8, 2025, at 5:00 pm at HCTC Campus is the Nursing program Pinning Ceremony

May 10, 2025, at 10:00 am, at Perry Central High School is the Commencement ceremony

June 26, 2025, the GED Graduation at HCTC Campus

May 13, 2025, at 5:30 pm Reentry training program, at the technical campus

 

At the next Board of Directors meeting, Don Barnes will be honored as his term on the HCTC Board of Directors as Faculty Representative has been completed. Dr. Lindon spoke of her appreciation for Don and his service on the Board and to HCTC.

Chair Bill Weinberg asked for someone to make a motion to adjourn the meeting. Don Barnes made the motion, and Chuck Davidson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted.

Dew Gorman, Board Secretary

Forwarded by Sandy Mcintosh, Senior Administrative Assistant

8:13 pm