Sydnee Claussen

Key actions included the approval of the Consent Agenda items A, B, and C, and the subsequent approval of Item D regarding Liquidated Damages for an instructor who resigned, with damages waived due to transparency. Officer elections were held, resulting in Shanda Smith as Chair, David Rupp as Vice Chair, and Ryan Ruda as Clerk. The Board also approved appointments, depository designations for 2026, and professional service providers. Monitoring Reports (A-1 through A-4) were approved/accepted. An executive session was held to discuss property matters, following which administration was authorized to negotiate the sale of Martin Trailer Park. Reports covered the FY 2025 Audit, which resulted in a clean opinion despite one material weakness in Endowment Funds, Meat Judging statistics, enrollment updates, and a response letter opposing Bill 2452 regarding municipal elections.

The board meeting agenda includes calls for order with comments from the Chair, SGA, Faculty Senate, and introductions of new employees, along with open public comments relevant to board authority. The consent agenda covers approval of personnel actions, including new hires, resignations, and adjunct/outreach faculty contracts, as well as financial information such as checks processed over $50,000, revenues, expenses, and cash in bank reports. The Board will also consider approvals for Koster Naming Rights and a Lease Purchase Agreement for a new bus. Further discussions involve confirmation and review of Monitoring Reports related to ENDS, Executive Limitations, and General Executive Constraints. Other business items include the President's Report, review and approval of Board Goals, and the President's Evaluation.

Key actions included the approval of the Consent Agenda as presented. Highlights involved Chair Comments regarding seasonal concerts and winter break dates. The Faculty Senate reported on policy work and the faculty/athletic meeting. A Five-Year Program Review for Industrial Maintenance indicated program growth, increased industry partnerships, expanded instructional staff, and high applicant standards, with current focus on refining assessments and high school engagement. Reports included securing $2.8 million in tax credits for the Construction Trades project. Ownership Linkage updates detailed attendance at the ACCT Conference, with one Trustee elected as Vice President for KACC, and the implementation of Buster Finish Line at Highland Community College. The Vice Chair reported on social media statistics and Greater Garden City partnerships. Trustees discussed intentions for running for officer positions in January.

The Board of Trustees meeting agenda included several key items for action and confirmation. Action items involved the Election of Officers and various Appointments for 2026, including the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Clerk, and representatives to other bodies. The board was also set to approve personnel actions, review detailed financial information encompassing monthly revenues, expenses, and cash balances across multiple funds (General, PTE, Auxiliary, Capital Outlay), and approve Depositor Designations and Authorized Signatures. Confirmation items included consensus approval of Bi-Annual and Annual Monitoring Reports related to Executive Constraints and Asset Protection. Further discussion points covered the FY 2025 Audit results and reports from various linked entities such as FCEDC and KACC.

The Faculty Senate meeting addressed several procedural and policy matters. Discussion points included program highlights suggested by faculty, such as Robotics, Transportation, Student Activities, and Facilities departments. The Senate reviewed reports from College Council and the Board of Trustees, noting the Board's unanimous acceptance of a negotiated agreement and discussion regarding longevity pay. Old Business items involved finding replacements for committee roles, including the Covid committee and the SLAT, and reviewing progress for the OER working group, with approvals for new members. New Business focused on pending policy discussions, specifically Course Cancellation, Class Meeting Requirements, and Academic Ethics Policy revisions, with plans to review Course Scheduling and Course Syllabus next. Concerns were raised regarding the administration's handling of night classes and low enrollment impacts, which will be addressed in an upcoming meeting with FS officers and Dr. Ruda.