Raul Chavez

The meeting featured reports on the FY2025 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, revealing an unmodified opinion with strong internal controls. Updates were provided on the Health Sciences division, noting significant improvements in pass rates for Paramedic, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Nursing programs. The Board approved the consent agenda, which included budget reports, various service agreements, facility use permits, employment actions, and curriculum changes. Additionally, the Board approved updated policies and continued employment for several instructors. Citizen comments addressed opportunities for apprenticeship partnerships, career program coordination with local school districts, and concerns regarding the Morton College Foundation's scholarship fund distribution.

The Regular Board Meeting was called to order. Key agenda items included the Pledge of Allegiance recitation and a Roll Call of members present and absent. The agenda also allocated time for Citizen Comments and various Reports, including the Student Trustee Report and the President's Report.

The Decennial Committee meeting included a review and discussion of the Decennial Committee Report. Key discussion points focused on shared services, specifically dual enrollment and dual credit partnerships with area high schools. A recommendation was made to hire a dedicated position to manage these complex initiatives, noting that such a position has since been filled. Additionally, there was a recommendation that intergovernmental agreements should undergo a review and update every five years. The meeting concluded with the formal approval of the Decennial Committee Report for Submission.

The Regular Board Meeting agenda included standard components such as Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call, and Citizen Comments. Key discussion items under the Consent Agenda involved the approval and ratification of accounts payable and payroll for January 2026, approval of budget transfers for January 2026, and the presentation of the Monthly Budget Report for the fiscal year to date ending in January 2026. The Board also considered the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for FY25, curriculum changes, and adjunct faculty employment reports for Spring 2026. Approvals were sought for various items including out-of-state and out-of-country travel requests, a temporary salary increase for a Preschool Substitute Teacher, services contracts for network infrastructure, marketing/social media, and electrical services. Furthermore, approvals were required for instructional supply purchases, partnership agreements, an internship agreement, a memorandum of understanding with the Classified Staff Federation, and various Facility Use Permits. The agenda also covered employment status changes and approval for full-time employment, followed by a Closed Session to discuss personnel matters and pending litigation. A significant portion of the meeting involved the first reading and approval of numerous updated Board Policies covering topics like conduct of meetings, business travel, purchasing, and curriculum development. Finally, the Board approved the termination of the Classified Personnel Policy 4.2.

The meeting proceedings included the official call to order, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the approval of a trustee's virtual participation, the appointment of an interim secretary, a roll call of members, and an invitation for citizen comments, of which there were none.