Elisa Alvarado

The No Excuses 2020 Strategic Plan for Amarillo College is a five-year roadmap aimed at achieving a 70% student completion rate by 2020. This plan is built upon a 'No Excuses' philosophy and a 'Culture of Caring,' focusing on removing poverty barriers and fostering accelerated learning environments. Its key strategic goals include increasing student completion and persistence, aligning academic programs with labor market demands, enhancing student learning through high-impact practices, improving equity in degree and certificate attainment for minority students, and building robust systems for financial effectiveness.

This strategy guide details Amarillo College's 'No Excuses' Poverty Initiative, a comprehensive framework designed to remove poverty as a barrier to student success. The initiative involves a cultural transformation rooted in deep understanding of student needs through data and feedback, integrating the 'No Excuses' philosophy into all institutional decisions, fostering strong community partnerships, and establishing the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) to provide essential student support services. The overarching goal is to create an environment where all students can achieve their educational objectives.

Key discussion items for the meeting include the official public swearing-in ceremony for the new Amarillo College Chief of Police. The agenda covers approval of previous minutes from special and regular board meetings, and a consent agenda encompassing faculty appointments and budget amendments. Substantive actions include consideration for the Amarillo College appointment to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) 2 Board of Directors, presentation of the Independent Audit Report for 2024-2025, and review of the Forensic Audit Report for the 2019-2025 period. Financial reports for December 31, 2025, will be reviewed. Furthermore, the Board is set to address the purchase of OB/GYN simulation equipment utilizing HSI STEM grant funds, and an update regarding a price change for the purchase of a CDL simulator. Finally, approval is sought for accepting a substantial grant award for KACT-TV/Panhandle PBS for capital equipment upgrades. A closed meeting is planned to consult with the college attorney on confidential legal matters.

The Special Board Meeting focused primarily on proposed procedural changes regarding public comment at board meetings, including adopting an updated procedure that limits comment at special meetings to agenda items and implements an open-mic concept for regular meetings. The Board unanimously approved this process after counsel's opinion was discussed and a request was made to post the legal opinion letter publicly. The Board also considered recent charges filed against Regent John Betancourt, leading to a unanimous vote to temporarily suspend his service on Board committees, outside boards where he serves as an AC representative, and college-related travel pending the resolution of the criminal charges.

The Regular Board Meeting addressed several committee reports, including the AC Foundation approving an operating agreement, and discussions regarding Panhandle PBS receiving national honors and the Amarillo Museum of Art's successful Christmas Roundup event. The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) meeting involved approval of a developer agreement. The President's Report highlighted a 61% fall-to-fall retention rate, the first national ranking for the AC Badger Volleyball team, and participation in several community and educational events. Key actions included the introduction of the new Vice President of Human Resources, Dr. Mychal Coleman. The Board approved the consent agenda, September 30, 2025 financial reports, and a strategic update on financial effectiveness, including budget revenue projections and construction projects. Resolutions were passed to amend authorized representatives for the TexPool account and to extend the college's bank depository contract with Amarillo National Bank for one year. The Board allocated votes for the Board of Directors elections for the Moore County, Potter-Randall, and Deaf Smith County Appraisal Districts. Signature authority for the First National Bank of Hereford account was updated, and the award for RFP No. 1425 for printing services was approved. The Board appointed a new Director of Social Services to the Panhandle Community Services Board of Directors, approved interlocal cooperative agreements with the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, and appointed a non-voting community representative for the Hereford Hinkson Memorial Campus. The session concluded with a closed meeting to consult with the college attorney and deliberate personnel matters.