The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, August 4, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Building. Joe Brumit, Chair, presided.
The following members of the Board were present: Wayne Brigman, Chair Joe Brumit, Mike Fryar, Bill Hart, Richard Hurley, Don Locke, Kaye Myers, Frances Ramsey, Mary Ann Rice, Wilma Sherrill, Ray Spells, and David Wyatt.
Others present for the meeting included: Dennis King, President, Kaye Waugh, Vice President Human Resources & Organizational Development; Shelley White, Senior Executive Director for Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education; Terry Brasier, Vice President for Student Services; Kerri Glover, Director, Communications Relations and Marketing; Melissa Quinley, Vice President Instructional Services; David White, Director of Research & Planning; Rhonda Devan, Vice President Business and Finance, CFO; Brian Willis, Vice President, Information Systems Technology; Chad Donnahoo, College attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Call To Order
Mr. Brumit read the ethics statement; no conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. Rice called roll. A quorum was present.
Mr. Brumit thanked former Trustee Troy Ball in absentia for her past four years of service to the College and introduced Mrs. Mary Ann Rice as the College’s new Governor appointed Trustee to the Board.
Swearing In
Dr. Dennis King was sworn in as the new President of A-B Tech Community College by Judge Calvin Hill at 3:35 p.m.
Reappointed Trustee Dr. Don Locke and new Trustee Mrs. Mary Ann Rice were both sworn in by Judge Calvin Hill at 3:40 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. respectively.
Consent Agenda
Dr. Locke moved to approve the Consent Agenda: 3. A. Minutes of June 2, 2014; 3. B. Minutes of June 11, 2014; 3. C. Minutes of June 16, 2014; 3. D. Minutes of June 18, 2014; 3. E. Minutes of June 23, 2014; 3. F. Closed Session Minutes of June 23, 2014; 3. G. Minutes of June 30, 2014; 3. H. Closed Session Minutes of June 30, 2014; 3. I. Personnel Actions; 3. J. Budget Resolution Amendment; 3. K. State Funds Budget Transfers; 3. L. Schedule of Investments; 3. M. Approval of New and Revised Policies; 3. N. A-B Tech Police Jurisdictional Agreement; and 3. O. Approval of the 2015-2016 College calendar.
Dr. Locke questioned why all new and revised College policies aren’t forwarded to the College attorney for approval and asked how the College would know when and what changes were seen by the attorney. Dr. King explained that policies with minor changes aren’t sent to the attorney as a cost-saving measure for the College.
Dr. Locke then requested that all policies be approved by the College attorney, and Dr. King agreed that going forward the College will send all new and revised policies to the attorney.
Mr. Hart questioned the need to change the Donations policy. Rhonda Devan responded that the policy was changed to include a section for non-cash donations.
Mr. Donnahoo informed the Trustees that there may be continued revisions to the A-B Tech Jurisdictional Agreements, that the changes are minor legal issues regarding jurisdictional authority, and which government statute applies. The College and city attorneys are still completing the agreement. Mr. Donnahoo asked the Trustees to allow Chair Brumit to sign the Agreement as any changes to the final document would be minor.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Hart and was approved unanimously by the Board.
Dr. King introduced Rhonda Devan as the College’s new Vice President of Business and Finance/CFO.
Resolution/Action Items
4. A. Mr. Bace discussed the Annual Open-ended Service Agreements for Design and Engineering Services for 2014-2015. The Open-ended agreements are for design firm submissions dealing with projects capped at $300,000. These projects are considered to be minor, and the state system allows the College to pick the best vendor in lieu of advertising. The Agreement is particularly beneficial to the College in urgent situations, allowing the College to save time and money to act when necessary.
On a motion by Mr. Hurley, seconded by Ms. Myers, the Board unanimously approved the Annual Open-ended Service Agreements for Design and Engineering.
4. B. Ms. Quinley discussed the Global Education Summer Trips for 2015. The College has partnered with several other community colleges thereby allowing for more global opportunities and a wider selection of credited courses for students.
On a motion by Mr. Brigman, seconded by Ms. Myers, the Board unanimously approved the Global Education Summer Trips for 2015.
4. C. R.J. Corman gave a presentation to the Board regarding the potential addition of a new program, Aviation Management, and Career Pilot Technology. Students would be able to earn an A.A.S. degree in Aviation Management and Career Pilot Technology with certificate programs offered as well. After considerable discussion about the program, the Board approved it.
On a motion by Mr. Hurley, seconded by Mr. Fryar, the Board unanimously approved the Aviation Management and Career Pilot Technology Program.
Trustee Business
5. A. Mr. Spells, Mrs. Myers, and Mr. Hart volunteered to be on the Nominating Committee for the 2014-2015 Board positions of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. Mr. Spells will chair the committee.
On a motion by Ms. Sherrill, seconded by Mr. Spells, the Board unanimously approved the 2014-2015 nominating committee.
President's Report
Dr. King shared the following news:
- The state budget was approved. All full-time employees will receive a $1,000 raise plus benefits.
- There is a $.50 per credit hour increase in tuition effective immediately.
- $300,000 of the recent Ferguson gift will be used for faculty development. $250,000 will be set aside in a permanent fund with $50,000 being used for professional development. A faculty committee will manage the $50,000.
- A meeting has been set up with the Foundation to ask if they are willing to match the endowment funds.
- The State conducted its annual program audits for fiscal 2012 – 2013. The College had to return $10,000 out of the $33 to $34 million the state provides the College annually. This was a good FTE audit.
- The Early Childhood Education program has been reaccredited for another five years.
- The A-B Tech Culinary hot food team competed in Kansas City and won third place in the nation. All top three teams received silver medals; no team performed in the gold medal range.
- The Charter School that had requested to rent space from the College has found an alternative site to occupy.
Staff Report
Dr. David White presented the Noel Levitz Survey results to the Board. The survey includes details regarding student, staff, and faculty satisfaction, retention, and expectations for the students of the College, and is used as a tool to benchmark the College with other colleges across the nation. The survey results will be the focus of the College’s professional development day and will be given to the campus every two years to check for needed improvements.
Mrs. Myers suggested that the Board have a fall retreat and requested that campus tours be given this fall as well. The Board will be surveyed regarding the retreat.
Dr. Locke would like to see 100% participation from Trustees regarding contributions and asked the Trustees to please respond to the email that Chair Brumit sent.
Adjourn
On a motion by Mr. Fryar, seconded by Ms. Sherrill, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary