Erin DeGrand

The Board meeting focused on a budget modification request of $475,000 to cover a five-year subscription for firewall services. This adjustment was necessitated because the current vendor's renewal proposal exceeded the budget, leading to an evaluation of alternative firewall vendors to maintain network security and data protection at a more sustainable price point. The Board reviewed detailed fund statements reflecting these modifications in accordance with state statutes.

The board meeting included the approval of bills, modifications to the fiscal year 2026 budget, and the acceptance of the fiscal year 2025 single audit report. Key personnel actions, including a faculty new hire and a faculty retirement, were approved alongside various corporate training and economic development contracts. The agenda also covered a review of the second-quarter financial report, the borrowing schedule for the fiscal year, and deliberations on the board travel and professional development budget. Additionally, an update on the Workday implementation was provided, and the President delivered a report on advocacy, internal efforts, and organizational recognitions. An executive session was conducted to discuss public employee employment and compensation.

The meeting addressed several action items, including the approval of December 2025 bills. Key resolutions involved authorizing the sale of $3,625,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes to fund capital budget needs, including moveable equipment and building improvements. Another resolution authorized borrowing $3,500,000 for moveable equipment and building remodeling projects. The consent agenda featured the approval of contracts for service, new faculty hires for instructor positions in Electrical Instrumentation, Associate Degree Nursing, and Nursing, and acceptance of a faculty retirement notice. Additionally, the Board acted on projections for Academic Year 2027 Student Fees.

The Board meeting included a Lead Faculty presentation by Terri Brown regarding Open Education Resources (OER) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Key action items involved the approval of November 2025 bills, acceptance of the fiscal year 2025 Annual Financial Report from CLA (CliftonlarsonAllen LLP), and approval of an unbudgeted capital request of $344,486.00 for the Coursedog Academic Management Platform Software. An unbudgeted capital request for an EMS Ambulance Simulator was rescinded. The consent agenda covered the approval of prior meeting minutes (November 20, 2025), contracts for service, a new faculty hire (Autumn Gomez-Tagle), one faculty resignation (Sheila Konell), and two faculty retirements (Gerald Lintz and Mary Beth Boettcher). Reports included the first quarter financial reports for fiscal year 2026 and the President's Report covering expanded degree authority, internal/external engagement activities, and budget preparation tasks.

The meeting included discussions and actions on several key items: approval of September 2024 bills, authorization for the sale of General Obligation Promissory Notes, approval of the Annual Report of purchases over $50,000 for FY24, and approval of the levy amount and resolution for certifying the tax levy for FY 2025. Additionally, the board approved resolutions for facilities remodeling and expansion projects, including the Artisan and Business Center Interior Vestibule and Signage, Student Center Level 1 Auditorium Remodel, and Student Center Level 1 Commons Remodel. The board also approved the State of Wisconsin Code of Ethics designations for various positions within the college.