Board Minutes - March 10, 2025 - Western Iowa Tech Community College

Date: March 10, 2025
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

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:
Carmen Wilson, Associate Dean - Corporate College | Jennifer McCune, Student Leadership Coordinator | Holly Olson, Administrative Program Coordinator - College Now | Merlyn Kathol, Director of Financial Aid

Items

Meeting was called to order by Linnea Fletcher at 4:00 pm.

Brenda Wright took the Roll Call of Directors.

Linnea asked for any Oral Communications. None were brought forward.

Linnea Fletcher read the Written Communications sent to the board from Cherokee Washington High School.

Linnea asked for everyone to review the consent items. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Tricia Sutherland. All were in favor and motion carried.

The Annual Community Colleges for Iowa Student Legislative Summit report was tabled until the next meeting.

Erin Volk introduced Holly Olson to talk present the College Now Report and 2025-2026 Contracts. Holly gave updates on what happened in 24-25. She also talked about plans for 25-26. The Denison regional Academy is scheduled to open this fall. It will include classes in Education, Agriculture, Business, and Auto Collision. These classes will be available to five area school districts. Holly also explained a new software that will be available for high schools to register for our classes. This will help streamline the registration process. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approved the 25-26 contract. Micah Lang seconded. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Erin Volk reported on the Federal Funding Profile. This report outlines the federal funding that the college receives each fiscal year.

Erin also presented some Board Policy Updates for a second reading. Erin asked if there were any changes needed. Brad Griffin made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Tricia Sutherland. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Darin Moeller gave a report for Credit Instructional Programs. He talked about the programs that are going through a program review and what our plans are for the next year. Tricia Sutherland made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Micah Lang. All were in favor and motion carried.

Darin Moeller also presented the Cengage Contract. This is for the digital textbooks for our students. The Cengage program has helped reduce book costs for students. About 90% of our classes now offer digital books. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve the contract and it was seconded by Russell Wray. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Darin Moeller and Carmen Wilson presented a 260G ACE. This includes an expansion plan to increase the number of seats for truck driving. We have confirmation from several companies to help sponsor this expansion. Micah Lang made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Tricia Sutherland. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Troy Jasman presented Change Order #5 - Denison Regional Academy to the board. There needed to be some electrical changes and some changes to the nursing classroom. This will be covered by the plan fund. Erin Muck made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle. All were in favor anf the motion carried.

Troy also presented the buena Vista Lease for Sioux City Campus. Russell Wray made a motion to approve the contract and it was seconded by Hanna Reinders. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Troy also presented the Buena Vista Lease for Denison Campus. Buena Vista has already vacated the campus, and will not be returning, but the contract was to start in July 2024. This contract will go until June 30, 2025. Tricia Sutherland made a motion to approve the contract and it was seconded by Erin Muck. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Troy Jasman and Darin Moeller presented the FY26 Tuition, Fees, and Other Charges. They are proposing a $5 increase in in-state and out-of-state tuition. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Brad Griffin. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Troy introduced Merlyn Kathol. They reported on the Cohort Default Rate. Merlyn explained that we are at 0%. Because of the Cares Act, re-payments started in October. The new rate will re-engage this next year. We will continue to talk about financial literacy in the College Experience course.

Troy also presented the proposed Published budget for FY26. The administrative recommendation is to publish the FY26 Budget in the Sioux City Journal between March 25-April 1, 2025, and to hold the public hearing at the Board meeting on April 14, 2025, at 4:00 pm, WITCC, 25 5th Avenue NW, Le Mars, iowa, with the certification to be completed prior to April 30, 2025. In case of inclement weather, a telephonic Borad meeting will be held on April 14, 2025, in room A507 Kiser Building, Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City, Iowa. Micah Lang made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Tricia Sutherland gave a Community Colleges for Iowa Report. She talked about the newsletter that we sent out to board members. If you want to get more involved and get more information you can sign up for the Quorum (instructions in the last newsletter). She also reminded everyone of the annual conference July 9-10 in Fort Dodge.

Terry Murrell gave a President report. Terry talked about how the new legislation changes would affect our school.

Jeremy asked in anyone would be interested in joining the Audit and Finance Committee. If interested, please reach out to Linnea.

Micah Lang made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Tricia Sutherland. meeting adjourned at 5:01 pm.

The next regular scheduled board meeting will be Monday, April 14, 2025, at 4:00 pm at the Le Mars Center.