Valerie Montoya

The Board of Trustees discussed concerns regarding the stewardship of taxpayer funds in relation to the use of a community college vehicle for personal circumstances. Additionally, the meeting featured recognitions for new employees, student achievements, and the success of the graduation ceremony. Updates were provided on staff separations, open vacancies including the position for the Vice President for Finance and Administration, and the status of various campus projects and events, such as the softball team's season and the health fair.

The board meeting focused on several key items including the planning and coordination of a special recognition event for elected officials to acknowledge their contributions to institutional funding. The board also discussed the fiscal year 2027 operating budget, specifically reviewing requests for new full-time faculty in welding, business, and education, as well as the hiring of a new administrative assistant for the president's office. Additionally, there were discussions regarding budget justifications for food during official board functions and administrative staffing needs.

The discussion during the meeting centered on technical and logistics issues related to workstation setups, laptop positioning, and potential obstructions in the training area. Participants reviewed space constraints and technical equipment configurations.

The Board of Trustees held a special session to review the president's performance goals, including financial compliance, student success, enrollment growth, and personnel policies. Discussions covered the current status of annual audits, recent improvements in performance metrics for student degree completion, and enrollment increases. The president provided updates on various initiatives, such as CDL training, the Luna Strong support program, dual credit outreach, and ongoing community education software implementation.

The board discussed and took action on the president's contract, including setting performance goals and objectives. The meeting also included staff and personnel updates, such as the introduction of new employees and recent staff separations. Discussions were held regarding an EPA wildfire smoke preparedness grant, various departmental accomplishments, and social media outreach efforts. Additionally, the board recognized the accomplishments of the student nursing association and student government. Members also expressed condolences to a fellow board member during the meeting.