Michelle Brown

The Board meeting agenda includes a guide for effective governance in community colleges, a public hearing and subsequent actions regarding plans, specifications, and construction contracts for the 600 Building Renovation Project (Executive Suite and IT Offices). Additional items include collective bargaining ratification with the Higher Education Association and Employee Support Association, approval of fiscal year 2027 tuition rates, service charges, fee schedules, and part-time hourly rate schedules. The meeting also covers accountability items such as financial aid updates, presidential goals for 2025-2026, financial reports, facilities updates, and data reviews.

The board discussed several items, including reports on legislative priorities and higher education funding from a recent national summit. The board approved the certified property tax budget for the upcoming fiscal year and scheduled a public hearing. Updates were provided on the college's facility projects, including the 300 Building expansion, and a positive spring enrollment report was reviewed. Additionally, the board conducted a self-assessment review and adopted formal goals for the calendar year, covering professional development, campus tours, and board retreats. Personnel actions, including resignations and employment contracts, were also ratified.

The meeting agenda included routine items such as audience and administration communications. Key action items involved the approval to terminate the contract of a probationary instructor, Kristine Madison. A public hearing was scheduled preceding the final consideration and adoption of the budget estimate for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 -- June 30, 2027, and the certification of community college taxes. The Board also planned to adopt a resolution ordering construction for the West Burlington 600 Building Renovation Project and consider approval of Title IX Policy Review Recommendations. Accountability reports covered the CBIZ SCC4 DOL Grant, President's Report, Monthly Financial Report, Facilities Update, and Data Review.

The agenda for this meeting includes routine items such as the call to order, adoption of the formal agenda, and communications from the audience, administration, and the Board, alongside an Iowa Association of Community College Trustees Report. Action items feature the approval of the Consent Agenda and consideration/approval for filing the Proposed Certified Budget for Fiscal Year 2027, which includes fixing the time and place for the Public Hearing. Accountability topics cover the President's Report, Monthly Financial Report, Facilities Update, Data Review, Board Self-Evaluation, and approval of Board Goals for Calendar Year 2026. The Consent Agenda details include the approval of bills of account and the processing of resignations and employment contracts for several staff members.

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the formal agenda. Key discussions included updates from administration regarding a new Dean of Career and Technical Education and recent foundation gifts, as well as trustee reports on various external meetings. A segment was dedicated to the ongoing review of the 'Trusteeship in Community Colleges -- A Guide for Effective Governance,' focusing on Chapter 5. Action items included approving the Consent Agenda (with the exception of one resignation agreement held for further review) and accepting the FY 2025 independent audit report from Denman CPA LLP, which was reported as a clean audit. The President's report highlighted legislative discussions, a visit from grant partners, progress on Driving Difficult Conversations training, and the completion and submission of the Aspen Prize application. Financial reports indicated higher cash balances due to an IRS refund, and facility updates covered the completion of weight room flooring and ongoing tile and partition installation in restrooms. The Board also organized itself by continuing the current slate of officers and appointing representatives for the College-County Fair Service Agency Board of Directors and the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees.