Date: March 11, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: WITCC Campus - Sioux City, Iowa

WITCC Mission

We elevate our diverse learners and strengthen our communities through inclusive and innovative education.

Board Members

Russell Wray, President | Tricia Sutherland, Vice President | Micah Lang (via Zoom) | Brad Griffin | Linnea Fletcher | Mary Parker | Jeremy Ogle | Erin Muck (via Zoom) 
Brenda Wright, Board Secretary 
Absent: Blanca Martinez 

Administration:

Terry Murrell, College President | Troy Jasman, VP of Finance and Administrative Services | Darin Moeller, Executive Dean of Instruction | Jackie Plendl, Dean of Human Resources | Tawnya Beermann, Dean of Students | Christina Brandon, Dean of Outreach and Information Technology | Revathi Vongsiprasom, Dean of Opportunity and Engagement | Erin Volk, Dean of Quality

Presenters:
Jennifer McCune, Instructor | Jatzumy Castillo-Gonzalez, Comet CLASS | Lilly Hall, Comet CLASS | Natnael Solomon, Comet CLASS | Kira Anderson, Comet CLASS | Jordyn Schubert, Comet CLASS | Liz Perez, Comet CLASS | Bradley Griffin, Comet CLASS | Holly Olson, College Now Coordinator | Merlyn Kathol, Director of Financial Aid | Dr. Darla Struck, Grants Coordinator

Item

Meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Russell Wray.

Roll Call of Directors was taken by Brenda Wright

Russell Wray opened the Public Hearing for the 2024 WITCC Denison Regional Academy. No comments or concerns given so the Public Hearing was then closed.

No Oral Communications were brought to the board.

Russell Wray reviewed the Written Communications with the board.

Russell Wray asked the board to review the Consent Items.  No concerns from the board.  Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approved and it was seconded by Linnea Fletcher. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Revathi introduced Jennifer McCune to the board.  Jennifer thanks the board for allowing her to work with these students.  The students then introduced themselves and shared their experiences regarding the Annual Community Colleges for Iowa Student Legislative Summit.

Erin Volk reported on the Student Outcomes Comparison (IPED) Report. This report shows our year-to-year outcome as well as it compares us to 25 of our peers throughout the country.

Erin presented the Federal Grants Program Report.  Erin introduced Darla Struck to the group as the new Grants Coordinator. All of our COVID grants and funding has dwindled down. Darla spoke about a grant that we received to expand the truck driving program on the Cherokee campus.  This is to help with the testing for the CDL program.  We expect to be able to assist 225 students per year.

Darin Moeller introduced Holly Olson as the new College Now Coordinator.  He commended her for her quickness in learning the College Now program. Erin stated that she College Now will be transitioning to her department this summer and looks forward to learning more about the College Now Program.  Darin also presented the board with the new College Now contract for the high schools.  The price did increase a little.  It’s been several years since the last increase.  Tricia Sutherland made a motion to approve the contract and it was seconded by Brad Griffin.

Darin also presented the 260E Preliminary Agreement for Seaboard Triumph Foods, LLC. This agreement brings 100 additional employees in Sioux City. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Linnea Fletcher.  All were in favor and motion carried.

Darin brought forward the Credit Instructional Programs Report. Darin explained the curriculum changes for the next catalog year. Brad Griffin made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Tricia Sutherland. All in favor. Motion carried.

Troy Jasman and Darin Moeller presented the proposed FY25 Tuition, Fees, and Other Charges. Tuition will increase for in-state and out-of-state by $6. Online will follow ICCOC’s decision made in May. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Linnea Fletcher.  All in favor and motion carried.

Troy Jasman presented the Proposed Published Budget for FY24. This request is to receive permission from the Board to publish the Notice for Public Hearing for next month.  Linnea Fletcher made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle.  All were in favor and the motion carried.

Troy also presented the WITCC Center for Inclusive Excellence Project Closeout. The project is now considered complete. Tricia Sutherland made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle.

Troy and Merlyn Kathol presented the Cohort Default Rate Summary and Action Plan Update. Merlyn talked about the cohort default draft rate.  Our draft is at 0% again.

Erin Volk presented some Board Policy Updates for a first reading. Erin explained that we would be bringing several over the next few months.  We will be putting the policies on a 5-year review rotation plan. We will bring these back next month for a second reading and a request to approve.

Jeremy reported that the Audit and Finance Committee reviewed the published budget process.

Tricia reported on the Community Colleges for Iowa. Tricia attended the Day on the Hill. She encouraged everyone to attend the CCFI Trustee conference July 10-11. CCFI will start meeting quarterly instead of 8 times a year.

Terry Murrell gave his President Report.

  1. BelongEd – conference this afternoon – Open House after our board meeting.  
  2. Legislative update

Jeremy Ogle made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss FY24 and FY25 Wage and Benefit Proposal for Meet and Confer and Executive Council. Tricia Sutherland seconded. Brenda Wright did a roll call of board members. 
Russell Wray, President | Tricia Sutherland, Vice President | Micah Lang | Brad Griffin | Linnea Fletcher | Mary Parker | Jeremy Ogle | Erin Muck
Absent: Blanca Martinez.
After a discussion, Brad Griffin made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Jeremy seconded the motion. Brenda Wright did roll call
Russell Wray, President | Tricia Sutherland, Vice President | Micah Lang | Brad Griffin | Linnea Fletcher | Mary Parker | Jeremy Ogle | Erin Muck
Absent: Blanca Martinez.
In open session – Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve the Wage and Benefit Proposal for Meet and Confer and for Executive Council at stated.  Linnea Fletcher seconded the motion. All in favor. Mary Parker abstained.

Russell Wray asked the board for any Unfinished Business or comments regarding the events listed on the agenda.  Tricia Sutherland wanted to recognize all of the work that Dr. Rants had done for WITCC while she was here.  Dr. Rants passed away over the weekend. She was a major part of WITCC for many years. 
Linnea Fletcher made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle.  All in favor. Motion carried.