KIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES

SPECIAL MEETING

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH

April 9, 2007

CALL TO ORDER

Vice Chair Roy Spangler called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Members Present:      Robert Bovee, Richard Silverman, Roy Spangler, Roberta Werle, Denis Weiss,

Members Absent:        Sally Galer (communicated via conference call), Patricia Webb

Others Present:          Stacey Barnes, Fay Bovee, Mary Ann Ferrigan, Kathy Koch, Ed Koliba, Dennis Mansfield, Marcell Romancky, Charles Rorie, Ilene Scherer, Tim Scherer, Dale Shantz

WELCOME

Members, employees and guests were welcomed by Vice Chair Roy Spangler. He introduced Mary Ann Ferrigan who is running for a six-year term on the board of trustees and noted that Trustee Dennis Weiss is running for the four-year term he was appointed to until the next general election, May 8, 2007.

REPORTS FOR BOARD INFORMATION

Dale Shantz, Director of Human Resources, provided a report from the Presidential Search Advisory Committee with a recommendation to accept for interview the following candidates: Dr. Larry (Mike) Bower, Dr. Larry Ort, Dr. Kevin Pollock, and Dr. Thomas Quinn. The following two alternates were also recommended: Ms. Anne Erdman, and Ms. Carol Churchill.  A copy of the Presidential Candidate Profile adopted by the board of trustees on December 14, 2006 was provided for reference.

Shantz explained the process by which the recommendation was made.  Thirteen candidates were chosen by the college’s presidential search consultant, Dr. David Ponitz, for review by the search advisory committee. The committee looked for those candidates who best fit the profile adopted by the board in December. Trustee Silverman added that the committee members each had a chance to speak on the selected candidates, to suggest others who were not in that pool, and the result was that the four candidates recommended were separated from the other nine candidates by clear consensus. He said it was important for the committee members to have the opportunity to review all the candidates, and that same opportunity is available to the board members.

Denis Weiss reminded everyone that the board is solely responsible for making the selection regardless of recommendations. He noted that the internal candidates were looked at more from their history than their capability, which he was disappointed with. For this reason, he felt it important to remind everyone that the board is free to choose candidates other than those recommended by the advisory committee.

Roy Spangler said that he took time to look at all the résumés and found some discrepancies. Therefore, he requested to add a local candidate based on the reasoning that none of those selected have experience at the CEO or superintendent level.  All of the candidates chosen are academic deans or vice presidents.  He requested that  Robert Jones be added due to his current level of experience. Richard Silverman agreed and explained that the committee was concerned with Bob Jones’ lack of a community college experience, but his experience otherwise is a strong asset. Trustee Roberta Werle agreed that the community college experience is not necessarily the most important thing to look for in a leader.

Trustee Werle commented that she preferred Elaine Collins over Ann Erdman for an alternate due to major university experience as well as a broad range of experience.  Denis Weiss agreed, but explained that from the reference check, it was clear that Ms. Collins is a strong, decisive leader but not someone who is a consensus builder/communicator/outreach person. Therefore, she did not fit the profile as well as the other candidates. It goes back to the management style the board is looking for. Ms. Collins also went from a community college to the university and the committee questioned her level of commitment to the community college. Also, he noted that her experience goes back to only 1999.

The consensus was to add Robert (Bob) Jones and take out Ann Erdman, providing six candidates. The board also preferred to interview all six candidates rather than four with two alternates.

The interview process was questioned, and Dale Shantz responded that the recommendation is to interview two candidates per day.  He described the plan for allowing three hours per interview with a brief break starting at 9 a.m. and finishing at noon followed by lunch with the candidate. While the board is interviewing and having lunch with the first candidate, the other candidate could be touring campus and meeting with staff. While the afternoon candidate is being interviewed by the board the morning candidate would tour campus and meet with staff.  The afternoon interview would culminate with dinner with the candidate. During that time, the morning candidate would attend a reception on campus providing an opportunity for employees and the general community to meet the candidate.

The six candidates would be interviewed over a three-day period.  A two week period would cover the three days of interviews. They discussed starting interviews on April 18, through April 26. Roy Spangler said not to forget to take the candidates to M-TEC.

Richard Silverman questioned how the interview questions will be determined. Dale Shantz recommended having Dr. Ponitz provide guidance with that.

BUSINESS FOR BOARD ACTION

Resolution to approve interviews of candidates for President of Kirtland Community College

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Roberta Werle and supported by Trustee Denis Weiss:

WHEREAS

1. Dr. David Ponitz, consultant to the board, has thoroughly and extensively reviewed the qualifications of candidates for the position of President of Kirtland Community College, and;

2. Dr. Ponitz has submitted to the board-appointed Presidential Search Committee a slate of candidates best representing the qualifications and profile approved by the board, and;

3. The presidential search committee has thoroughly reviewed and discussed the candidates recommended by Dr. Ponitz, and;

4. The consensus of the presidential search committee is that the following candidates best meet the stated qualifications for president, and recommend for interview Larry (Mike) Bower, Larry Ort, Kevin Pollock, and Thomas Quinn, and as alternates, Anne Erdman and Carol Churchill.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

1. The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees approves interviewing the following candidates for the position of President of Kirtland Community College: Dr. Larry (Mike) Bower, Dr. Larry Ort, Dr. Kevin Pollock, Dr. Thomas Quinn, Ms. Carol Churchill, and Mr. Robert Jones.

2. The director of human resources is authorized to contact these individuals and arrange for interviews per a schedule to be agreed upon with the members of the board of trustees.

Vote:      Ayes, five              Nays, zero             Abstain, zero                Absent, two         Resolution declared approved.

OPEN DISCUSSION:

Denis Weiss commented on how impressed he was with the advisory committee and how professionally they worked together. They freely expressed differences of opinions, but they worked well together. A communication from the board to the selection committee expressing appreciation was agreed upon.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was declared adjourned at 7:39 p.m. by Vice Chair Roy Spangler.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Koch, Recording Secretary