Ali Cohen

The meetings, consisting of a Special Meeting followed by a Regular Board Meeting, covered several critical topics. During the Special Meeting, discussions focused on capital projects updates, including a recommendation for RTC to withdraw from the major projects list to secure $15M for intermediate project renovations to Building A (to create a Welding and Machining Building). Budget planning highlighted the need to increase reserves above the current $900k cushion due to anticipated deficits in FY27 and FY28 under the new State Allocation Model, which introduces enrollment volatility. A state of emergency discussion confirmed that criteria for a financial state of emergency were still being met due to ongoing budget deficits. The Regular Board Meeting included the approval of the President's Contract Addendum, reports on strong enrollment increases (General Education up 27%, Professional Technical up 13%), and updates on grants secured for cybersecurity. The Board reaffirmed its decision to keep the financial state of emergency in place to ensure fiscal solvency and protect reserves against predicted state allocation volatility and potential budget cuts.

The meeting encompassed a broad range of administrative, academic, and operational updates. Key discussions centered on the financial emergency status and budget transparency, as requested by the faculty union. The President provided reports on legislative advocacy, enrollment figures, and updates to the state allocation model. The board received financial and budget reports highlighting increased revenue, capital project progress, and enrollment targets. Various liaison reports were presented, covering the Foundation's Student Success Gala, legislative budget outlooks, and community advisory committee engagement. Furthermore, the board reviewed updates from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, including the upcoming Equity Symposium, human resources personnel actions, and institutional research reports regarding the Strategic Equity Plan, guided pathways implementation, and new student onboarding revisions.

This document outlines the core mission, values, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitment of an organization referred to as RTC. Its mission is to empower students to thrive in a changing world through an equitable technical college education. The institution's values include Community, Empowerment, Equity, Integrity, Learning, Respect, and Stewardship. The DEI statement emphasizes leading with racial equity, pursuing diversity, equity, and inclusion for all stakeholders, and collectively dismantling institutional barriers to create a thriving and just community.

The meeting included a Special Meeting and a Regular Board Meeting. Key discussions and reports covered the President's updates on governance, staffing (including pending trustee interviews and an Executive Assistant search), enrollment increases (12% overall), facility progress (Building C classrooms, Building L permitting), and legislative advocacy plans. The Financial/Budget Status report detailed mid-year budget actuals showing lower-than-projected state allocations, a projected year-end operating surplus, and future budget deficit concerns driven by anticipated state reductions. The college is maintaining Board reserves, with plans to move funds into the college surplus. Other reports included updates on HR staffing changes, DEI council priorities, significant scholarship and grant disbursements by the Foundation, progress on the Strategic Equity Plan, operational updates on facilities and IT projects, and a Lean Kaizen event to redesign the ESL/ELA registration process. Student Services reported on Title IV eligibility approvals and Renton Promise program status.

This document outlines the core values of Community, Empowerment, Equity, Integrity, Learning, Respect, and Stewardship. Its mission is to empower students to thrive in a changing world through an equitable technical college education. The document also includes a DEI statement, emphasizing a commitment to leading with racial equity, pursuing diversity, equity, and inclusion for all stakeholders, and dismantling institutional barriers to foster a thriving and just community.