Cathleen Busha

The Work Session agenda included a call to order and agenda review, a public comment period, a presentation on the Winter Student Profile, discussion of the 2025-2026 Board Goals, and adjournment. The materials extensively covered the Winter 2026 Enrollment Update, including Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES), demographic characteristics such as race/ethnicity, sex, age groups, first-generation status, student types (continuing, new, transfer), program types, enrollment by modality, location, Disability Access Center statistics, athlete numbers, and financial aid disbursed. The 2025-2026 Board Goals focus on increasing knowledge of college programs, strengthening legislative relationships, implementing policy reporting, recruiting a new board member, implementing training notification systems, preparing for accreditation, and advocating for higher education.

The agenda for the regular meeting packet includes a call to order, public comment period, and action items, which cover the approval of the January 28, 2026 Special (Work) Session Minutes and Regular Meeting Minutes, as well as updates to Board of Trustees Policies 100.B10 and 100.B21. Constituent reports are scheduled from the Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC) and the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA), with no report received from the Clark College Association of Higher Education (CCAHE). There will be a student speaker presentation from the Nursing Program. Reports will also be presented from the Board Members and the President, Dr. Karin Edwards. Financial documents presented include the Clark College Foundation financial statements ending December 31, 2025, and the College Budget Status Report as of January 31, 2026. The Nursing Program presented an update on the implementation and outcomes of holistic admissions, showing equitable outcomes and increased diversity and retention rates.

The Board of Trustees meeting involved several actions and reports. The Board approved the minutes of the November 17, 2021, meeting and granted support for the City of Ridgefield's Right of Way request concerning Boschma Farms, with a friendly amendment allowing a temporary easement. A separate Special Meeting was scheduled to review the Clark College Foundation Memo of Understanding in detail. The Board unanimously approved granting tenure to Dianne Lucia for the Nursing Program. Constituent reports highlighted that the Penguin Pantry distributed 4,500 pounds of food in November and noted ongoing concerns regarding communication and transparency from the Executive Cabinet. A staff presentation covered Talent Development programs and trainings. The President welcomed a new trustee and introduced the new Vice President of Instruction, noting current enrollment figures and upcoming COVID information sessions.

The work session included an introduction of the newly appointed Board Trustee, Marilee Jones Scarbrough. The main discussions centered on Open Educational Resources (OER), covering its value, history at Clark, current work with Faculty/Instruction, and student savings, which average approximately $1,200 - $1,300 over a six-term period. Feedback also addressed considerations for different study types and accessibility. A second topic presented an overview of assistive technology, accessibility needs at Clark, the College's Accessibility Policy, and the resolution status of a 2015 OCR complaint.

The work session focused primarily on an operations update presented by the Vice President of Operations and the Director of Facilities Services. Key discussion points included the Budget Status Report for the close of the 2022-23 fiscal year, a discussion concerning Interfund Loans and policy context, and an overview of the Cash Balance report as of July 1, 2023. Furthermore, there was a detailed overview of compliance with the Clean Buildings Act, outlining building tiers, assessment phases for meter installation and reporting, and the Decarbonization Planning overview (HB 1390). Updates were also provided on the Boschma Farms project, confirming Silver LEED certification status and striving for Gold, and the repaving plans for Fort Vancouver Way to enhance pedestrian safety with bus and bike lanes.