Board Minutes - July 8, 2024 - Western Iowa Tech Community College

Date: July 08, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: WITCC Sioux City Campus
Agenda

WITCC Mission

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

Board Members

Absent: Blanca Martinez

Brenda Wright, Board Secretary

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: Mike Meister, Director of College Effectiveness | Jason Palsma, Registrar | LaShawna Moyle, Coordinator for Inclusive Excellence

Item

Russell Wray called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.

Brenda Wright took a roll call of Directors.

Russell Wray asked for any Oral Communications to be brought to the Board. Two members of the public stepped forward for Oral Communications to address the board on J1 concerns.

Russell Wray reviewed the Written Communications from the Asian Fest Committee.

Russell Wray asked the Board for any questions or concerns regarding the Consent Items. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Tricia Sutherland. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Russell Wray asked for a motion to approve the Appointment of Secretary to Brenda Wright and Treasurer to Troy Jasman, Chapter 279.3, Oath of Office, Chapter 277.28, Code of Iowa, 2024 and required bond Chapter 291.2. Linnea Fletcher made a motion to approve the appointments and Jeremy Ogle seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried. Russ Wray then gave the Oath of Office to Brenda and Troy.

Jackie Plendl and Mike Meister addressed the Board to talk about the ICCLI program. Mike attended this program this year and he talked about how much he learned about the community colleges and the workings involved. Mike also thanked Dr. Murrell for being his mentor during this program. Jackie then recommended Matt Pfister to participate in the program next year. Tricia Sutherland made a motion to approved and it was seconded by Linnea Fletcher. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Jackie Plendl introduced LaShawna Moyle and Jason Palsma to the board to talk about their LINC Participation. LaShawna said that the LINC experience was fantastic. She learned a lot and has since made her job extremely easy and she has applied many things that she learned. Jason agreed. He also added that this program opened his eyes to all of the community colleges and how they work. Jackie then asked the Board to consider nominations for Holly Olson and Wendy Ivarson to attend next year. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to accept the nominations and Brad Griffin seconded. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Jackie Plendl introduced Steven Garcia to the Board. Steven talked about his experience in the Leadership Siouxland Program. Steven appreciated the opportunity and learned a lot about different careers in the community that he never would have learned.

Jackie Plendl presented the Board Policy Updates for a second reading. These changes are Title IX changes. Since the first reading there has been a lawsuit that the state of Iowa has joined objecting to the changes. The College attorneys recommend having the Policies and Procedures approved and ready to be adopted on August 1, with a directive to pull them back and continue to use the existing policies and procedures if an injunction is issued. Jackie recommended that the Board approve these Board policies contingent on the District Court decision. Micah motioned to approve with the contingency and Brad Griffin seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Troy Jasman presented the Detail Budget for FY25. The detail budget came in under the proposed budget. This budget started July 1. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve the budget and it was seconded by Linnea Fletcher. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Troy presented the Gaylord Smith and Building H Storm Sewer Improvements Project - Engineer’s Statement of Completion. Brad Griffin made a motion to approved and it was seconded the motion. All were in favor and motion carried.

Troy also presented the Closeout for the Gaylord Smith and Building H Storm Sewer Improvements Project. This project is now complete. Funds can be released 30 days after Board approval. Linnea Fletcher made a motion to approved and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Troy presented a request to sell a piece of property. This will not affect our main campus or hinder any future growth. Linnea Fletcher made a motion and it was seconded by Tricia Sutherland. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Tricia Sutherland reported on the last Community Colleges for Iowa meeting. Staff are working on a Department of Labor grant for all community colleges in Iowa to help implement safety procedures for AI. The CCFI conference will be this week. There are 108 attendees signed up.

Terry Murrell gave his President’s Report. He talked about the closing of the FY24 budget. Fall enrollment is currently up and we expect it to stay up as July starts our busy enrollment time.

Jeremy Ogle made a motion that was seconded by Linnea Fletcher to go into Executive/Closed Session pursuant to Iowa Code sec.21.5(1)(c) to discuss strategy with legal counsel on a matter presently in litigation, where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the College in that litigation. Brenda Wright took a roll call. Present were: 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, Jeremy Ogle made a motion to come out of executive session. It was seconded by Tricia Sutherland. Brenda Wright took a roll call.

Absent: Blanca Martinez

In Open session, Linnea Fletcher made a motion to adjourn the meeting and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle. All were in favor and the motion carried.

The next regular scheduled board meeting will be Monday, August 12, 2024, at 4:00 pm on the Sioux City campus in the Boardroom.