Joseph Aguirre

The board meeting included a presentation and discussion regarding House Bill No. HB0058, specifically addressing concerns about potential disruptions to dual and concurrent enrollment courses and the impact on the board's authority to levy a half-mill tax. Additionally, the board reviewed and approved the financial reports including the balance sheet, income statement, and general ledger, and conducted the nomination and election of board officers for the coming term.

The meeting began with the approval of the agenda, followed by the approval of the consent agenda, which included the Regular Meeting Minutes from December 16, 2025, the December 2025 Financial Report, the December 2025 Check Register, and employee hires and exits. The Department Spotlight featured an overview of the recruiting and advising teams, detailing their goals and methods for student engagement and enrollment guidance. The President's Report addressed the sharing of financial concerns related to the separation of GCCD from NWCCD, noting the planned presentation of an Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERIP) in February 2026. It was also reported that community college budgets were not cut by the Joint Appropriations Committee, and the science building project will be considered during the upcoming legislative session. General updates included referencing Excellence Award winners and planning for the creation of a steering committee for the Johnson County Center for Higher Education to select an architect and contractor. The Johnson County Advisory Board expressed excitement about the new Center. New Business included the review and approval of Board Policy 3002: Incident Management Team, which clarifies employee participation in incidents and liability protection for good faith actions. The Board also entered into an Executive Session for Personnel Matters, with no subsequent action taken upon returning to the regular session.

The Board meeting addressed an agenda addition concerning changing the policy related to dorm requirements, ultimately deciding to consider the topic for information only due to pending litigation opposing changes to Title IX regulations. The consent agenda, which included the June 18, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes and June 2024 Financials, was approved. The President's report covered updates on an agreement with GCCD regarding data access, the final punch list check for the Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Sciences building, the prioritization of the Science Building project, plans for strategic planning community meetings, and updates regarding a resigned rodeo coach and a recent Adult Basic Education graduation. During the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, no significant changes were noted from the previous workshop, and the budget was adopted. Action was taken to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, including the Expenditure Authority Resolution and Resolution to Provide Income for $81,253,664. Two additional Expenditure Authority Resolutions were approved related to Refunding and Improvement Lease Revenue Bonds for building projects, with follow-up required on payoff dates. In new business, the Board reviewed Board Policy 6010 regarding Degrees and Certificates (including the proposed BAS), and Board Policy 3003 on Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment for information, acknowledging that implementation delays are acceptable due to ongoing litigation. The Board officially named the advanced manufacturing and applied sciences building as "The Sheridan College Innovation Center." Information was also provided regarding reducing the residence hall credit hour requirement to six hours to increase occupancy. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.

The Regular Meeting addressed several key items. The Consent Agenda, which included the November 19, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes, November 2024 Financials, November 2024 Check Register, and Employee Hires and Exits, was approved. VP Achord presented the 2024 Audit Report from Eide Bailly LLP, noting a clean audit opinion, increases in investment income and construction assets, and a discussion regarding the pension discount rate. The Board subsequently took action to formally accept the Audit Report. During the President's Report, updates were provided on ongoing discussions with GCCD concerning course accreditation basis and tuition policy, progress on the Science Center project funding request, and the finalization of the Sheridan College Strategic Plan to 2030. The Johnson County Advisory Board and Sheridan College Foundation (SCF) reports noted community engagement activities and SCF's successful fundraising efforts, including a campaign for housing scholarships. New Business focused on the election of 2025 Board Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary) and the appointment of Trustees to represent NWCCD on the BOCHES Board, WACCT Board, and the SEEDA Board. The Board also assigned Trustees to the GCCD Workgroup and the Policy & Procedure Workgroup, and approved new authorized signatories.

Key actions included the deletion and postponement of an agenda item concerning Student Government Association By-Laws. The Consent Agenda, which included the November 21, 2019, Regular Meeting Minutes, November 2019 Financials, Check Register, and Employee Hires/Exits, was approved. An employee, Dr. Leah Barrett, Vice President of Student Affairs, was recognized for her service. The President presented information related to Wyoming Works and a trip to Cheyenne. Advisory Board Reports covered updates from Gillette College, including a crisis management tabletop exercise and success in student athletics, and from Johnson County, noting a successful fundraising event. The Gillette College Foundation reported receiving over $1 million in gifts in the past fiscal year and becoming debt-free. Organization reports highlighted Faculty Senate's work on promoting teaching excellence, applied baccalaureate items, and procedural revisions, alongside Gillette College SGA's service projects. New Business included the unanimous approval of the 2019 Applied Baccalaureate Resolution and the unanimous acceptance of the 2019 Audit Report. New officers for 2020 were elected unanimously: Walt Wragge as Board Chair, Robert Leibrich as Vice-Chair, Debra Wendtland as Treasurer, and Shelley Kinnison as Secretary. Appointments to the BOCHES and WACCT Boards were deferred to the January 16, 2020 meeting.