KIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SPECIAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES
For Presidential Search
June 7, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Sally Galer called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Robert Bovee, Sally Galer, Roy Spangler, Richard Silverman, Patricia Webb, Roberta Werle
Members Absent: Denis Weiss
Others Present: Nick Baker, Jo Ann Comerford, Mary Ann Ferrigan, Kathy Koch, Alan Mabarak, Dennis Mansfield, Carol Rae Phillips, Ilene Scherer, Tim Scherer, Dale Shantz, Ron Sharp, Winnie Sharp
WELCOME
Members and guests were welcomed by Chair Sally Galer.
OPEN DISCUSSION
Trustee Roy Spangler brought up the question of an interim president. Kathy Koch shared a memorandum from Charles Rorie with his recommendation which is to be presented to the board at the next regular meeting on June 14, 2007. Spangler withdrew the topic for discussion at this time.
COMMUNICATION
Sally Galer spoke on behalf of the presidential search visiting team which went to South Arkansas Community College to interview faculty, administrators and community members regarding Dr. Thomas Quinn. The team consisted of Sally Galer, Patricia Webb, Richard Silverman, Mary Ann Ferrigan, Dale Shantz, Alan Mabarak, Karen Brown, and Ilene Scherer.
Sally Galer spoke of her experience and the positive feedback received about Dr. Quinn. Patricia Webb also described her experience. She was impressed by his level of involvement with the K-12 schools and said those representatives spoke very positively about their relationship with him. As much as they tried, they could not find any negative comments.
Trustee Richard Silverman called on Ilene Scherer, Director of Accounting, saying that he was part of her group which interviewed administrators, student services and instructional staff, and faculty. He said each speaker expressed excitement at how impressed they were. Silverman gave an example; while talking with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) staff person, she related that she had off-handedly commented on the fact that some obese students did not qualify for disability services, but that it was demeaning for them to try to fit into small classroom seats. Within weeks, she found that accommodation had been made, thanks to Dr. Quinn.
Ilene Scherer thanked the board for giving staff the opportunity to go along on this excursion. She said they asked some tough questions trying to draw out any information that they could, but all they got was positive feedback. She even accused them of trying to get rid of him by saying only good things, but they responded that they really did not have anything negative to say. The only thing they could come up with was that sometimes it takes him 24 hours to respond to an email, but most often he would show up in person with that email in hand for a face-to-face discussion. One former student who is now employed there, asked Dr. Quinn for permission for a class overload, and his response was that he would approve it on one condition, that she come to him if she had any problems with the classes. She said that several times during the semester, he stopped her on campus to ask how she was doing. She said it left a lasting impression on her.
Trustee-elect Mary Ann Ferrigan and Alan Mabarak, M-TEC Instructor, went to Southern Arkansas Community College’s M-TEC and vocational centers and also received positive responses to their inquiries. When asked what they would do without them, the response was that he has prepared them well to operate successfully. Alan said that grant writing is an area Dr. Quinn is proficient in, and he helped train them to do their own. They received a grant for nursing for over one million dollars and a technical program received another grant for a million dollars. They said he is good at helping others, but he does not take credit for it; he empowers them.
Dale Shantz, Director of Human Resources, said that Dr. Quinn is everything he said he was during the interviews here at Kirtland. Dale talked to the director of the chamber of commerce and the business community expressed the same positive feedback. More than one person interviewed claimed that Quinn should have been chosen for president at South Arkansas Community College during their last search. He was described as the go-to person to get things done at the college and with the community. They also visited the hospital and got the same positive feedback.
Trustee Roberta Werle asked how the campus looked. Did it look like a successful institution? The response was that it was very nice. One building, over a hundred years old, had just been freshly redone through grant money. Silverman said their campus was comparable to ours and he thinks our college has high standards for maintenance and appearance. They do not have student housing; legislation in Arkansas does not allow community colleges to have student housing or athletics.
Ilene Scherer added that she was impressed with Mrs. Quinn. She is very supportive of him and will be an asset to the college. She likes to involve herself with college social functions and does not view it as an obligation. At dinner, they felt like a group who had known each other for years.
BUSINESS FOR BOARD ACTION
Resolution to appoint Dr. Thomas Quinn as President of Kirtland Community College
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Roy Spangler and supported by Trustee Richard Silverman:
WHEREAS
1. The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees, over the past several months, has employed a comprehensive screening process in search of the next college president; and
2. Following a review of application materials, two interviews with Dr. Thomas Quinn, and a presidential search visit to South Arkansas Community College; and
3. Following the series of interviews, campus visit, and discussions, the board of trustees has concluded that Dr. Thomas Quinn’s qualifications not only meet, but exceed their expectations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT
The board of trustees hereby move to appoint Dr. Thomas Quinn as president of Kirtland Community College commencing on or after July 1, 2007 in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth within the employment contract negotiated between the board of trustees and Dr. Thomas Quinn.
Discussion: Roberta Werle asked about who will negotiate the employment contract. The response is that typically the chair negotiates the contract, but discussion about the contract would be the next topic for discussion.
Vote: Ayes, six Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, one Resolution declared adopted.
OPEN DISCUSSION
Dale Shantz shared a draft contract that was authorized by the board chair to draw up, pending board action at this special meeting. Sally Galer noted that we were his first choice, although he was a finalist for a position in North Dakota, and he elected not to go there for the final interview in spite of not having a formal contract with Kirtland.
Shantz said that after talking to the search consultant, Dr. Ponitz, and Ed Koliba, Chief Business and Financial Officer, for budget information, the salary is at Step 8 of the salary schedule, for $120,378. A college vehicle will be provided, $1,000 a month housing allowance, and moving costs. The duration of contract is yet to be decided; a normal three-year contract (non-rolling), or a two-year rolling contract with performance reviews. Roy Spangler stated that he prefers a three-year contract because it will take a year to get off to a good start. All agreed with Spangler with the requirement of a six-month termination notice for both sides. Spangler said we could choose to build in a rolling provision later on and all agreed. Retirement options are his choice, such as the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MIPSERS).
Roy Spangler offered a motion to approve conditions of a contract as discussed made by Roy Spangler; Richard Silverman supported;
Vote: Ayes, six Absent, one.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was declared adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Koch
Recording Secretary