Texarkana College

The Regular Called Board Meeting was rescheduled from January 26 and January 29, 2026, to February 2, 2026, due to winter weather. Following an open forum, the Board held a closed session to discuss the purchase of real property, a prospective gift or donation, and deliberations regarding the College President's employment contract. In open session, the Board unanimously approved the consent agenda items, including personnel actions. Key policy discussions involved revisions to local policies CDB (adjusting the capitalization threshold to $10K) and DEB (clarifying scholarship eligibility). The Board also approved the Hazlewood Exemption Policy to formalize the exclusion of extraordinary course and program fees, such as those related to flight programs. A budget amendment was approved, reallocating funds originally designated for terminal renovations to other items, including startup costs for the flight program and renovations for recently purchased apartments, without affecting the overall budget. The President reported on the new Aviation Flight Training Program, a non-credit offering resulting in a private pilot license upon completion. Financial reports were presented, and registration statistics showed increases across general enrollment, dual credit, and workforce programs. The status of the TC Cares initiative, supported by a Pioneer Foundation grant, was also reported.

During the regular called meeting, the Board of Trustees conducted business including the approval of the consent agenda minutes from the February 2, 2026 regular meeting. Actions included accepting the resignation of Dr. Candy Smith. Several items were received for information, such as the change of the March Board Meeting date to March 30, 2026, Tuition and Fees for 2026/2027, contract recommendations for 2026/2027, and various RFPs including those for Drywall and Ceiling for TASC, Exterior Doors for TASC, and Aviation Equipment. Reports received included the College President Report, Vice President of Finance Report, Vice President of Instruction Report, TC Cares Report, and Dean of Students Report.

The Board meeting commenced with an Open Forum followed by a Closed Session to discuss the purchase/value of real property, prospective gifts/donations, and the evaluation of the College President. Key agenda items addressed in the open session included the approval of personnel actions (contracts, resignations, reassignments), the acceptance of the 2024/2025 fiscal year audit report which showed no findings, and the extension of the lease agreement with TexAmericas Center for the TC@TexAmericas program and the parking lot lease for the truck driving program. The Board also approved the Tax Roll for 2025/2026, authorized the establishment of an Off-Campus Instructional Site for the Paramedic Program, and approved seeking SACSCOC approval for a new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Flight, effective Fall 2026. Furthermore, the Board approved the TASB Update 50 Local Policy and the Texarkana College Calendar for the 2026/2027 Academic Year. Contract approvals were granted for the RFP for a new HVAC chiller for the Truman Arnold Student Center, awarded to Reliance Mechanical Contractors, and the RFP for a Roofing Project related to the Discovery Place Museum renovation ("The Assembly Line"), awarded to Wright Brothers, Inc. Reports from the College President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Instruction, and Dean of Students were also presented.

The Board of Trustees conducted business during this regular called meeting, which was moved from prior dates due to winter weather. Key actions included the approval of the Consent Agenda. The board received reports and policy updates, specifically receiving the Racial Profiling Report, TC CDB and DEB Local Policy, Hazlewood Exemption Policy, and budget amendment. Several internal reports were also received, including those from the College President, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Instruction, TC Cares, and the Dean of Students. No contract recommendations, reassignments/renewals, or resignations/retirements were approved.

The meeting commenced with the Chair calling the meeting to order, followed by an open forum with no speakers, and subsequent adjournment into a closed session to discuss real property purchase, prospective gifts/donations, and matters related to appointment, employment, and evaluation of public officers or employees. Upon reconvening in open session, the Board approved various consent and personnel items, including resignations. Key considerations included the approval of the TC Promise Program resolution, which establishes tuition exemption for qualifying local high school graduates and waives dual credit fees for service area high school students not eligible for FAST funding. Furthermore, approval was granted to purchase a commercial property adjacent to campus, not to exceed $5,000,000 plus closing costs. The Board also approved combining the November and December 2025 regular meetings into a single meeting on December 15, 2025. Bids were awarded via Request for Proposal (RFP) for aviation equipment (Light Sport Aircraft for the Aviation Pilot Program) to Tango Flight, Inc., and for commercial kitchen equipment for the Truman Arnold Student Center (TASC) renovation to Reliance Refrigeration and Restaurant Supply. Reports were provided covering the College President's update on the Angel Tree Project, the CFO's financial reports, and the Dean of Students' report detailing upcoming events like the Falloween event and participation in the Texarkana Christmas Parade.