Columbia Gorge Community College

The Board meeting included approval of the agenda and ratification of the August 2025 board meeting minutes. Key business items involved the approval of the proposed Bachelor of Applied Science in Education, which is the institution's first bachelor-level degree, anticipated to launch in Fall 2027 pending final approvals. The Board also approved the 2026-27 Academic Calendar. Report items covered the monthly bond update, highlighting design progress and cost concerns regarding HVAC upgrades, and an overview of the FY 2026-27 budget build process. The financial report included a review of General Fund revenues (noting a decrease largely due to delayed property tax adjustments) and expenditures as of November 30, 2025. The President provided an operational update detailing enrollment trends, community outreach, and the premature discontinuation of the Title III EASE grant activities at the end of 2025. The Board also received updates from the OCCA and discussed subcommittee activities. The session concluded with two executive sessions: one for labor negotiations, resulting in the ratification of the collective bargaining agreement for July 1, 2025-June 30, 2028, and another for the performance evaluation of the College President.

The meeting included the approval of the October 2025 minutes. Key business involved the presentation and unanimous adoption of the Additive Manufacturing Processes certificate, and two associated AAS degrees: CNC and Additive Manufacturing, and Fabrication and Additive Manufacturing. Report items covered the Bond End of Month report, noting that the exterior stair project bid exceeded initial estimates, requiring value engineering, and updating on the complexity of HVAC evaluations. Updates were also provided on Instructional Programs for Education and Social Sciences, Mission Fulfillment Priority One (Equitable Access), Fall Enrollment (currently tracking slightly behind the prior year but with strong retention), the Monthly Financial Report showing increased revenues and expenditures compared to the previous year, and the Monthly Foundation Report, which noted strong demand for scholarships. The Presidential Operational Update detailed efforts in Equitable Access, including OER savings, and addressed upcoming state budget reduction scenarios, as well as tentative agreements reached in faculty/administrative professional contract bargaining. The OCCA update mentioned advocacy efforts related to the Community College Support Fund.

The meeting addressed several key areas, including classroom technology upgrades funded by a Title III grant, energy additive manufacturing grant expenditures, and the capital bond program budget. Contracts were awarded for ADA parking lot improvements and elevator modernization. The board also reviewed the bond end-of-month report, monthly financial report, updated board policies, monthly foundation report, and a Chinook brief. Additionally, there were updates from the OCCA and board subcommittee reports.

The Board of Education meeting included the swearing in of newly elected and reelected board members, and the election of a new Board Chair and Vice Chair. The board discussed and approved an addendum to the Master Services Agreement with Wasco County for Information Technology Services, focusing on improving IT capacity and cybersecurity. A resolution was adopted to support the development of applied baccalaureate degrees, particularly in elementary education. The board also approved a contract with OpenLMS, reviewed the monthly financial and foundation reports, and discussed the OCCA update. Additionally, the board reviewed and adopted the Board of Education calendar for the upcoming fiscal year and selected representatives for various organizations.

The meeting included discussions on tabling the instructional program update on Aviation Maintenance and the first reading of updated Board Policies. The Board approved the FY 2025-26 Board Operating Agreement, and HMK Company's project management fee proposal for Phase 1 of the bond projects. There was also an update to CGCC's Rules of Procurement, and contracts were awarded for The Dalles roofing project, the wayfinding project, and commissioning services. The Board approved resolutions related to brand name exemptions and alternative contracting methods, as well as the Bond Program Implementation Plan. The monthly financial and foundation reports were reviewed, along with a presidential operational update and an OCCA update.