Frederick Community College

The meeting commenced with the Chair wishing everyone a happy new year and expressing appreciation for the Spring Convocation, highlighting positive student feedback on faculty and staff. Board members shared positive impressions of the convocation and reported on representation at the ribbon cutting for the renovated electrical trades lab, noting contributions from Rowan Digital and the FCC Foundation. Discussions covered celebratory events in December, including pinning and graduation ceremonies, and the value of policy governance and Ownership Linkage feedback. The President reported strong Spring semester enrollment momentum, nearing 7,000 students, and announced a new partnership memorandum of understanding with the Washington Freedom cricket team and Infinite Computer Solutions to expand experiential learning opportunities. A major segment focused on the Innovation and Technology Center project, described as a $64 million investment to renovate Catoctin Hall to address instructional and lab space needs in high-demand fields like biotechnology, IT, and advanced manufacturing. The Required Approvals Agenda included the approval of a Piggyback Contract for a Cloud-Based Data Warehouse, a Contract Amendment for Guaranteed Maximum Price #2 for the Renovation of Building M, and a Contract Modification for the Central Plant Optimization Project Phase 2B. The Board reflected on Ownership Linkage sessions, noting recurring themes like critical thinking and collaboration. An early preview of the FY 2027 budget development was presented, outlining institutional priorities, fiscal pressures including a projected $1.5 million state funding reduction, and a proposed 3% tuition increase. The Board reviewed proposed revisions to Policy GP-5 (Board Linkage with Ownership) and Policy GP-11 (Special Rules of Order). Action was taken to approve revisions to the Board of Trustees Bylaws regarding public comment, which passed 6-1. The Board voted 5-2 against supporting pending draft state legislation concerning Board meeting and training requirements. The Board also found evidence of compliance with EL-7 Land Use Monitoring Report.

The key discussions and actions during this meeting included the public comment period regarding agenda items, and several required approvals: the renewal and expansion of the Navigate360 contract, the award of RFB 26-TLSS-01 for Biotechnology Lab Equipment, and the approval of a piggyback contract with Blackwood Inc. for firewalls and related services. Information and discussion items covered Ownership Linkage Updates, the Fiscal Year-to-Date Financial Report ending December 31, 2025, and monitoring Board Performance through policy surveys and reviews of GP-12, GP-13, GP-0, GP-8, and BCD-6. Action items included providing Board direction on legislative testimony concerning SB 534/HB 839, approving the contract renewal with SB & Company for auditing services, approving a joint RFP for future auditing services, and approving the FY 2027 Credit Tuition and Fees, Auxiliary Enterprise Bookstore Budget, and Proposed Operating Budget for submission to the County Executive. Revisions to Policy GP-5 and GP-11 were also reviewed for future approval. The Board convened in closed session to discuss personnel matters, obtain legal advice, and discuss collective bargaining strategy.

The board retreat focused extensively on governance effectiveness using a framework describing levels of board performance, including supervisory, guardian, proactive/leader, and visionary orientations. Discussions clarified the distinction between strategic planning (administrative) and strategic foresight (Board responsibility), emphasizing the Board's shift towards proactive governance through Policy Governance®. The concept of role clarity was discussed, stressing that Board authority is exercised only through formally adopted policies. Other key topics included clarification on posing Trustee questions during meetings, the concept of the Board speaking with "one voice," and the role of committees. Furthermore, the retreat addressed ownership linkage as a fundamental responsibility for informing Ends policies, agreeing to make it a standing agenda item and discussing proposed revisions to GP-5 Board Linkage with Ownership. Finally, responsibilities related to policy development, review, monitoring (including Ends monitoring), governance succession planning, and the distinction between consent agendas and required approvals under Policy Governance® were reviewed.

The meeting agenda included the approval of minutes from previous meetings held in November 2025 and January 2026 (excluding a Special Meeting). Key discussions and approvals involved procurement actions: approval of a Piggyback Contract with Datatelligent for a Cloud-Based Data Warehouse ($770,000 not-to-exceed over five years), approval of a Contract Amendment with Dustin Construction for GMP #2 for Building M Renovation ($904,526 not-to-exceed), and approval of a Contract Modification with M&M Welding and Fabrication Inc. for the Central Plant Optimization Project Phase 2B ($236,886 total). Information and discussion items focused on Ownership Linkage Updates, the FY 2027 Budget Development Update, and reviews of proposed revisions to Policy GP-5 (Board Linkage with Ownership) and Policy GP-11 (Special Rules of Order). Action items included the approval of revisions to the Board of Trustees Bylaws and the acceptance of several monitoring reports (EL-4, EL-9, EL-10). The Board also held a closed session to discuss personnel matters, collective bargaining strategy, and public security.

The meeting included comments from Board members regarding attendance at the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Leadership Congress, tours of the Main Campus and Monroe Center, and participation in an Ownership Linkage session with Frederick Health. President Cheek reported a spring enrollment increase of approximately 200 students and introduced the Workforce Growth Strategy, positioning FCC as a workforce and talent hub focused on trades, biotechnology, manufacturing and logistics, healthcare, and information technology. The Board approved several items under the Required Approvals Agenda, including a Contract Modification for the Central Plant Optimization Phase 2 Project, and Piggyback Contracts for Internet/Network Service and Managed Services for PeopleSoft/Oracle Cloud. Key discussion items included the Fiscal Year-to-Date Financial Report, monitoring of Board Policies GP-6 and GP-7, and a review of Policy GP-11 Special Rules of Order, with agreement to consider revisions at the next meeting. Action items included the approval of the CIP and County Capital Budget Request for FY 2027-FY 2032, and acceptance of monitoring reports for EL-4 Financial Conditions and Activities, EL-9 Asset Protection, and EL-10 Investments, all showing full compliance.