Hinds Community College

The Board of Trustees discussed several operational and administrative matters. Key agenda items included a presentation regarding a philanthropic commitment from The Bower Foundation for nursing and allied health equipment, an update on the New Horizon lawsuit, and approval of updates to the Board Bylaws. The board re-elected the current Executive Committee to continue service. Additionally, the Board approved a tuition increase and the FY27 budget, along with FY27 faculty contracts. Discussions also involved the appointment of interim legal counsel, the transfer of certain litigation cases, and a financial status update, followed by the approval of the claims docket.

The Board discussed and unanimously approved the transfer of two active litigation cases from their current legal counsel to a new firm, Butler Snow, to ensure continuity of representation ahead of upcoming scheduled hearings.

The board discussed several operational and financial matters, including a budget reallocation to fund staff incentive payments in place of equipment purchases. Other topics included an accreditation training initiative, updates to facility-rental contracts to ensure regulatory compliance, a modification to the president's evaluation process, and a review of the current budget status and claims docket. The meeting also featured reports on recent institutional accomplishments, enrollment trends, and the status of the Hinds Foundation's capital campaign.

The Board engaged in a review of its bylaws, focusing on self-evaluation instruments and amendment procedures. A new request for proposal process was initiated for legal services, with a committee formed to oversee the selection. The Board approved a one-year educator license for veteran teachers, the monthly claims docket, and the appointment of a new faculty member. Financial updates were provided via a budget summary, and the President delivered a report covering legislative developments, program health metrics, and strategic budget planning. Additionally, the Board received a presentation on the institutional Continuous Improvement Framework and Strategic Plan.

The document outlines Hinds Community College's strategic commitment to student achievement, focusing on five key performance indicators: six-year completion rates, three-year completion rates, retention rates, transfer student performance, and CTE Programs Perkins Indicators. These indicators are integral to the college's mission of fostering personal and professional success, aligning with its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan and Continuous Improvement Framework to ensure high-quality education and workforce readiness.