James DuCanto

The District Board meeting addressed several key items. The Consent Agenda included the approval of November 2025 bills and payroll, totaling $3,463,734.40, and the approval of several contracted service agreements totaling $49,475.00. In reports, international travel to Costa Rica was removed from consideration due to an advisory, and planning was discussed for the District Boards Association Winter meeting and the Board Retreat. Action items centered on finance, including the unanimous approval of the FY25 Budget Amendment Resolution necessary for the annual audit, and the approval of the FY25 Audited Financial Statements. Furthermore, the Board unanimously approved resolutions authorizing the issuance and setting parameters for the sale of up to $1,500,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A, to finance movable equipment acquisition. Additionally, program approvals were granted for three new embedded technical diplomas: IT Web Programmer, Tree Health Specialist, and Catering Specialist. Informational items included a clean audit report for the Mid-State Technical College Foundation and updates on campus activities and the 2025 WTCS Public Perception Survey results.

The documents detail proceedings from the Finance & Infrastructure Committee, the Committee-of-the-Whole, and the District Board Regular Meeting, all scheduled for February 16, 2026. The Finance & Infrastructure Committee agenda included approval of the January 19, 2026, minutes and consent agenda items covering payment of bills and payroll, contracted service agreements, and procurements for goods and services. Informational items included a presentation on the FY2027 Capital Budget and a discussion on finance implications from other committees. The District Board agenda included consent agenda items for payment of bills and payroll, contracted service agreements, and procurements for goods and services. Action items for the Board included seeking approval for the Program Approval of the Fire Medic Associate Degree. A Closed Session was scheduled to discuss the College President's evaluation and goals.

The meeting included the approval of the October 20, 2025, board meeting minutes under the consent agenda. Key actions involved approving bills and payroll for October 2025, totaling over five million dollars, and entering into several contracted service agreements. The Board also approved procurements, including a significant purchase from Lab Midwest. A resolution was passed designating specific positions as subject to Wisconsin's Code of Ethics. Under Academic Programming actions, the Board unanimously provided concept approval for the Fire Medic Associate Degree, approved the shared Health Information Management Associate Degree Program with Blackhawk Technical College, and approved the Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technician Technical Diploma and the Animal Science Embedded Technical Diploma. Reports included the announcement that Mid-State Technical College was named Top Technical College in Wisconsin, updates on foundation activities, and a discussion of the FY26 financial report. The Board convened in a closed session to conduct the President's evaluation.

The meeting included separate sessions for the Finance & Infrastructure Committee and the Committee-of-the-Whole, followed by the District Board Regular Meeting. Key discussions involved the approval of payment of bills and payroll for December 2025, review of contracted service agreements, and procurement lists. Informational items included updates on the college's bond rating and sale, the Budget Development Calendar for FY27, the annual energy usage report, and the Employee Engagement Survey results. The Board took action items to approve the program for Agronomy Technician Technical Diploma, Farm Operation Technical Diploma, IT Web Programmer Embedded Technical Diploma, Tree Health Specialist Embedded Technical Diploma, and Catering Specialist Embedded Technical Diploma. Furthermore, the District Board approved FY25 budget amendments and resolutions authorizing the issuance of Not to Exceed $1,500,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A, and establishing parameters for their sale.

The meeting included scheduled committee meetings for Finance & Infrastructure and Committee-of-the-Whole, preceding the District Board Regular Meeting. Key discussion points for the District Board involved action items related to the FY25 Budget Amendments, the acceptance of the FY25 Audited Financial Statements, and authorizing the issuance and setting the sale parameters for Not to Exceed $1,500,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A, intended to finance capital expenditures for FY26. Academic programming approvals sought included the IT Web Programmer, Tree Health Specialist, and Catering Specialist Embedded Technical Diplomas, as well as approval for international travel to Costa Rica in 2027. The District Board also reviewed consent agenda items including payment of bills and payroll, contracted service agreements, and procurements for goods and services.