Kathy Krause

This document outlines Northcentral Technical College's Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Five-Year Plan, ensuring equal opportunity, affirmative action, and non-discrimination for students and employees, consistent with Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) strategic directions emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Key pillars include balancing student occupational program enrollment, assuring non-discrimination in student career services, aligning faculty and staff employment with available demographics, and fostering a diverse and inclusive educational and work environment. The plan details initiatives for robust branding and recruitment, providing resources for a culture of belonging, implementing new employee onboarding, ensuring training on bias in hiring, maintaining and increasing enrollment rates for minority students, Native American/Alaskan Native students, and students with disabilities, increasing enrollment and completion for female students in technical programs, and improving retention and completion rates for various underrepresented student groups, alongside implementing Title IX requirements.

The meeting addressed several financial and operational agenda items, including the issuance and sale of general obligation promissory notes, 2025-2026 budget modifications, and tentative approval of the 2026-2027 budget summary. Additionally, the Board reviewed a new Fire Paramedic Apprenticeship Program, reports on receipts and expenditures, and personnel changes. Board development sessions focused on apprenticeship and leadership development programs. A closed session was held for the purpose of conducting the year-end review and contract approval for the President.

The board approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $11,500,000 in general obligation promissory notes for 2026-2027 capital borrowing. Additionally, the board approved employee salary and wage adjustments for the upcoming year, revisions to student activity fees and miscellaneous student charges, and a consent agenda covering financial receipts, expenditures, and personnel changes. Presentations were held regarding grant success, information technology initiatives, and reports from the president and chairperson. The board also convened in closed session to discuss the performance or employment of a public employee before reconvening in open session.

The Board approved the Single Audit Report, the 2026-2027 Capital Budget, and multiple facility renovation projects, including the D Building Bookstore and Student Life, Student Advising and Transfer Center, the CHS Fourth Floor Stairwell, C Building IT and Student Services, the Flexible Learning Lab Restroom, and the Motorcycle Safety Garage Addition. Presentations were delivered regarding Artificial Intelligence initiatives, the Outcomes Based Funding Report, and the President's report including the semi-annual board dashboard. Following a closed session for property deliberation, the Board approved the listing of the Wittenberg Campus for sale pending a market appraisal.

The board discussed key items including the authorization of $11,500,000 in capital borrowing through the issuance of Series 2026A general obligation promissory notes. Other topics included the approval of 2026-2027 employee salary and wage adjustments, modifications to student activity fees and miscellaneous charges, and review of receipts and expenditures. The meeting also addressed personnel changes, board development regarding grant success and CARES/BIT programs, and a closed session to discuss employment and performance evaluation data.