Jennifer Sheley

The board participated in a work session covering fiscal year 2027 budget development, including compensation plans and faculty pay increases. Discussions addressed CHESS appropriation allocations, reprioritized uses of educational technology notes with a focus on classroom upgrades, and priorities for higher education department capital requests involving exterior building renovations and fire alarm replacements. The board also reviewed potential projects for a local general obligation bond, including a proposed pickleball facility, received an operating budget status report, and discussed rescheduling an upcoming board meeting.

The agenda focuses on administrative procedures including the call to order, welcoming of guests, and the adoption of the meeting agenda. A closed session is scheduled for the purpose of discussing the President's evaluation.

The work session included discussions regarding the fiscal year 2026 year-end budget adjustment request and an overview of the fiscal year 2027 original budget, focusing on revenue outlook, strategic investments, technology costs, and fund balance management. Additionally, the board received an update on the general obligation bond campaign, which aims to maintain debt service tax rates, expand academic programs in nursing and HVAC, improve recreational and arts facilities, and upgrade critical campus infrastructure.

The board discussed and took action on several items, including the disposition of obsolete college equipment and the extension of a student telehealth services contract with Uwill, Inc. The board also authorized an increase in the blanket purchase order for fire suppression systems maintenance and approved flooring replacement at two campus locations. Furthermore, the board awarded a contract for new Customer Relations Management software and implementation services to Technolutions, Inc. and Ferrilli, and approved the purchase of Astro-Turf for the campus mountain bike park. The meeting included a closed session regarding collective bargaining.

The board discussed several key topics including the requirement for higher education trustee training mandated by recent New Mexico legislation. The board received a presentation from Architectural Research Consultants regarding the college's Facilities Master Plan, which is due for submission to the State this spring. Additionally, trustees engaged in discussions concerning potential projects for a local bond campaign, reviewed the budget outlook for the upcoming fiscal year, and examined the operational budget report ending in late 2025.