Samantha Archuleta

The work session meeting agenda includes an executive session and potential follow-up action. Key items for consideration involve a partnership between Spokane Community College and Spokane Public Schools regarding a Trades High School, the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 tuition schedule and waiver proposal, a budget update, a tenure consideration alert, and a presentation on Workforce Pell development. The meeting concludes with a report from the Chancellor.

The board meeting agenda focused on several key items including executive session discussions and potential subsequent actions, tenure track faculty introductions, and a review of the consent agenda. Administrative topics featured policy changes regarding exempt employee contracts, a status update on the website project, and reports on student recruitment, outreach, and the strategic plan. Additionally, the board reviewed tenure considerations, budget updates, chancellor reports, board policy on individual authority, and committee assignments.

The Board meeting agenda covered various topics including an executive session, student success celebrations involving the MESA program, and head start fiscal training. Reports were presented on tenure alerts, foundation impact, workforce pell development, and strategic plan updates. The Board also reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 tuition schedule, budget updates, and reports from the Student Government, Chancellor, President, faculty, and classified staff.

The session commenced with an executive session to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or review the performance of a public employee. Following the executive session, there were introductions of two tenure track faculty members and recognition of awards received by the Chancellor and the Chief of Staff and Strategy. Discussions covered the consent agenda, which included the approval of the December 16, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes, Budget & Expenditures review, and Head Start Updates. The Board unanimously approved a policy change to move from annual contracts to appointment letters for exempt employees. A significant portion of the meeting involved an update on the Website Project Status, including progress, migration timeline, and associated tools, with several trustees posing questions regarding student communication and implementation details. The Strategic Plan Update was reviewed, noting that the final draft is expected in March for approval, and governance structures were discussed. The process timeline for 2026 tenure consideration was presented. During the Student Recruitment & Outreach segment, presentations were made regarding outreach team missions, dual enrollment metrics for SCC and SFCC, and marketing support. A Budget Update focused on FY27 planning, expenditure assumptions (including salary/benefit cost projections), and the impact of potential cost increases on students. The Chancellor also updated the Board on the Allocation Model Adjustment for FY27 and plans to establish a Chancellor's Leadership Advisory Council. Finally, the Board reviewed Policy 1.20.03 regarding Restrictions of Individual Authority of Trustees and discussed the assignment of 2026 Board of Trustees Committees.

The meeting included faculty tenure introductions and a presentation on SCC Celebrating Student Success, focusing on the EdSights program which utilizes a chatbot to gauge student feelings and connect them with resources, generating student voice scores and key trends. The Board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which covered previous meeting minutes, capital projects status, budget expenditures, and Head Start updates. The Board also unanimously approved amended Chancellor goals. Discussion followed regarding budget planning and analysis for FY27, outlining challenges such as the allocation model adjustment and the 2026 legislative session. Updates were provided on the strategic plan, with approval anticipated in March. A review of Board Policy 1.20.03 regarding Restrictions of Individual Authority of Trustees occurred, resulting in a decision to add guidelines addressing social media comments. Reports from the Chancellor noted legislative pre-session visits. College Presidents reported on contract updates with the Department of Corrections and enrollment figures, with suggestions made for better data visibility. Faculty representatives reported on grading periods, AI literacy initiatives, and classified staff support programs, including recognizing employees pursuing degrees.