Jeff Soper

The board meeting included a special recognition for a student-athlete national champion. The personnel agenda covered various resignations, position changes, new hires, and supplemental contracts. Presentations were delivered regarding high school partnership programs, including work-based learning and student support services. The board accepted donations of farm crop inputs and a baby grand piano for the music department. Facility-related business involved updating the campus location plan, commissioning a new facilities master plan for 2027-2032, and setting design plan cost specifications. Furthermore, the board reviewed and accepted financial reports, approved the payment of monthly bills, and authorized a master contract.

The board meeting included human resources updates regarding staff resignations, new hires, and supplemental contracts. Presentations were provided on the Commercial Driver's License and English as a Second Language programs. The board authorized the development of initial plans, specifications, and cost estimates for a new campus dormitory facility. Financial reports and monthly bills were reviewed and approved. Additionally, a resolution was passed regarding the redemption of bonds and an amendment to an escrow agreement. The meeting also featured reports on legislative activities, community college partnerships, and student recognition events.

The board conducted a work session to review the regular meeting agenda, followed by a regular session where they approved financial reports, monthly bills, and the FY 2027 published budget after a public hearing. Additionally, tuition fees were set, and various human resources actions including resignations, new hires, and contract approvals were completed. The meeting included presentations on the athletic training program, facilities updates, and campus marketing highlights, specifically addressing the coordinated institutional response to a recent bus accident. Two scholarship donations were accepted, and reports were provided on legislative activities at the federal and state levels regarding community college priorities.

The Board Work Session was held prior to the regular monthly meeting to review the agenda for the regular meeting and briefly discuss related topics, with no decisions or actions taken. The subsequent Regular Board Meeting involved amending the agenda to defer the Foundation donation approval item to the following month's meeting. Committee appointments for various boards and committees, including Community Colleges of Iowa Board, Audit Committee, Building Committee, Farm Laboratory Committee, Financial Oversight Committee, and Presidential Evaluation Committee, were presented and approved. The Human Resources section addressed resignations, new hires, supplemental contracts, and the approval of five early retirement applications. Financial matters included the presentation and approval of the financial report and monthly bills, as well as setting the date for the public hearing for the FY 2027 Published Budget.

The proceedings included a pre-meeting work session to review the regular monthly board meeting agenda, where no action was taken. During the regular session, the agenda was approved, and the minutes of the November 18, 2025, meeting were accepted. Key actions involved accepting the results of school elections held on November 4, 2025, and administering the Oath of Office to newly elected Trustees, followed by the unanimous re-election of Arden Kinnander as Board President and Bob Jennings as Board Vice President. Appointments were confirmed for the Attorney, Secretary, and Treasurer. The appointment of committees was tabled until the January 20, 2026, meeting. The Board approved depository institutions and authorized signatories. A personnel consent agenda was approved, including one resignation, one position change, and several new hires and supplemental contracts. The Board reviewed a technology presentation on the SMG partnership, accepted three donations totaling $30,500 for various scholarship and literacy programs, approved financial reports and monthly bills, and ratified course fees for the Spring Semester. A closed session was held to discuss confidential audit information. In the oral reports section, College President Scott Stokes updated the Board on discussions regarding Perkins funding allocations, Workforce Pell federal advocacy, and upcoming governmental meetings.