KIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES

October 18, 2007

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Roy Spangler called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Members Present: MaryAnn Ferrigan, Sally Galer, Roy Spangler, Richard Silverman, Denis Weiss,

Roberta Werle

Members Absent: Patricia Webb

Others Present: Nick Baker, Kevin Baughn, Melanie Blayer, Karen Brown, Wendy Hillman, Renae Klee, Ed Koliba, Kathy Koch, Lisa Lashley, Dennis Mansfield, Kathy Marsh, Mari McKenzie, Kyle Morrison, Tom Quinn, Ilene Scherer, Tim Scherer, Dale Shantz

WELCOME

Members and guests were welcomed by Chair Roy Spangler.

Roy Spangler announced an addition to the agenda, an executive session for the purpose of discussing attorney-client privileged information. He also declared that the Audit Report and resolution to accept the audit report be moved ahead on the agenda so that the presenter from Yeo and Yeo, Mari McKenzie, can leave afterward since she drove up to Kirtland from Saginaw.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

MINUTES

Minutes from the September 20, 2007 regular board meeting were reviewed and amended. The minutes were approved as amended with a motion from Trustee Denis Weiss, supported by Trustee Mary Ann Ferrigan.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Introduction of new employees; resignations; transfers

College President, Thomas Quinn, asked Dale Shantz, Director of Human Resources to introduce new employees and to report on changes in personnel. New hires since the last board meeting: Kurt Jaissle, part-time Counseling Office Support Specialist. He introduced the following employees, in attendance, who were also announced at the last meeting: Renae Klee, Lisa Lashley, and Melanie Blayer.

Resignations: David Rider, part-time PC Support Technician has accepted a full-time position with Ogemaw County. John Roach, part-time Custodian, resigned to devote his efforts to his other part-time job.

Awards and recognition

Dale Shantz announced that Jackie Smith, full-time Nursing instructor, has been asked by a publishing company to review text for accuracy and clarity in a new pharmacology textbook.

Mary Berger, Massage Therapy instructor, successfully passed her national certification exam, the highest professional credential in massage therapy.

Communications, Average Class Size Reports

Kathy Marsh, Dean of Instruction, reported on the average class size reports for central campus and M-TEC. Central campus increased class size from 17.8 in Fall 06 to 17.9 in Fall 07. Overall, class size has gone from 14.8 in Fall 98 to the current average of 17.9 for fall 07.

Communications, Construction update

Tim Scherer presented the written Deferred Maintenance and Construction in Progress report provided by Jo Ann Comerford.

Communications, Fact Book

Tom Quinn described the Fact Book as a document useful for strategic planning. He recognized Nick Baker, Director of Institutional Research, as the author. The document is available on the college website via MyKirtland, Employee tab, Reports folder, Kirtland Fact Book.

Faculty presenters: Wendy Hillman, MEDS Publishing - Total Curriculum Support

Wendy Hillman, Nursing instructor, talked about a new program called Total Curriculum Support provided by MEDS Publishing. She explained that increased student attrition and a declining success rate on state licensing exams prompted them to search for solutions. Some of the solutions they implemented were to redefine the curriculum, add a part-time program and add a mandatory National Council Licensors Examination (NCLEX) review. Newer solutions include Nursing Essentials, a one-credit course to help students find out what kind of learners they are, their style of communication, study skills, test taking skills and how to get the help they need. Also implemented on a trial basis is a new testing program, TEAS for Test of Essential Academic Skills, used as an entrance exam for Level II nursing. MEDS Publishing claims to be a premier provider of cutting-edge educational resources for students, educators, and nursing professionals. MEDS’ exclusive learning methodology is designed to teach students to build and use critical thinking and problem solving skills to succeed on the NCLEX exam as well as in everyday situations. Total Curriculum Support is an online resource with test-taking tutorial series. It allows them practice exams, assessment exams and reviews. Learning to test is the goal for lower attrition and improved exam scores.

Note: Due to a severe weather alert, Sally Galer excused herself from the remainder of the meeting.

AQIP Category I, Helping Students Learn

Kathy Marsh, Dean of Instruction, gave a presentation on the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) Category I, Helping Students Learn, as a result of the board’s interest in student outcomes. She explained that we are currently in the process of submitting the AQIP system portfolio which is a requirement for re-accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission. This approach is very different from past models for self-study which focuses on strengths and opportunities for improvement. It begins a dialogue with the Higher Learning Commission with a goal of improvement which will continue over the next three years. Category I has much information about student outcomes, how it is measured and the results. All the data is available in our website.

Fall Marketing Survey

Tom Quinn thanked Tim Scherer, Director of Institutional Services, Dennis Mansfield, Director of Public Relations, Jim Enger, Director of Marketing, Marge Esch, Webmaster, and Nick Baker, Director of Institutional Research, who all helped produce a fall student marketing survey to learn more about our students. To raise interest in the survey, at the last meeting, Quinn challenged the board members with a quiz which came from the results of the survey. The website location of the survey results is: https://my.kirtland.edu/ics/employee/Reports/ The results show that our student population is somewhat different than many of us think.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS/OPEN DISCUSSION

Northern Michigan Broadband Conference

Roy Spangler gave a report on this conference held in Grayling on October 1. It was well attended with over 200 people and served rural development aimed at Internet service providers. He said it appears that broadband technology is available through cellphone providers to hookup to the Internet for unlimited access. It was a good conference and informative. Tim Scherer added that broadband is becoming an infrastructure issue as roads were years ago with the introduction of mass production of automobiles.

1. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE SABBATICAL LEAVE, SUE OWENS

Discussion Richard Silverman stated that the lack of clarity in the Master Agreement needs to be addressed and that perhaps the motion should include a charge for the negotiation team. Roberta Werle commented that the letter from Sue Owens asks for winter 2008 semester; is it correct? The response was, yes. Discussion continued on how important it is to get the language clarified, especially whether it is a calendar year or academic year because of the impact on the budget. The costs of a sabbatical leave should be budgeted prior to approving any future sabbatical leave requests.

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Roberta Werle and supported by Trustee Richard Silverman:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the request for a Sabbatical Leave for Sue Owens for the Winter Semester 2008.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

The Board of Trustees hereby moves to approve the Sabbatical Leave as submitted.

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

2. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT AUDIT REPORT

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

WHEREAS

1. The Board of Trustees has been presented with, and has had an opportunity to review, the Annual Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report, The Single Audit, and the Management Letter for period ending June 30, 2007, and

2. The Board of Trustees has an understanding of the financial position of Kirtland Community College at June 30, 2007 and of the issues presented in the Single Audit and Management Letter.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

The Board of Trustees accepts all reports as presented by Yeo and Yeo, PC.

Vote: Ayes, six Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, one Resolution declared approved.

3. RESOLUTION TO MOVE PROPOSED CERTIFICATES OF GENERAL STUDIES

TO SECOND READING

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

WHEREAS

1. The board of trustees has been presented a proposal to add the Certificates of General Studies as a first reading at this meeting, and

2. The college administrative team has reviewed the recommendation and concurs that the Certificates of General Studies be added, and

3. The college Curriculum and Instruction Committee has approved the addition of Certificates in General Studies, and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

The proposed addition of the Special Certificate of General Studies and Certificate in General Studies for the Fall 2008 semester be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Roberta Werle announced upcoming performances of Escanaba in the Moonlight by the Kirtland Community Theatre. October 13 was a fund-raiser for Friends of the Library in St. Helen. October 26 will be a performance at Kirtland, and November 3 will be a dinner theater at Garland Resort in Lewiston.

Tom Quinn reminded everyone of the special board meeting on programming next week and a request for individual board photographs to be used for display within the college. It was also suggested posing for a group photograph to be used on a holiday greeting. Trustee Roberta Werle objected to the latter, citing inappropriate use of college funds. She said she respectfully declined. Trustee Richard Silverman responded that he respectfully disagreed with her position on holiday greetings from the board of trustees.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for November 15, the opening day of rifle deer hunting season. There was no suggestion to change the meeting date.

Chair Roy Spangler referred to a letter from the college’s attorney, Martha Marcero, labeled privileged and confidential, so a motion was offered by Roberta Werle, supported by Marry Ann Ferrigan, to move to Executive Session.

Roll Call Vote: MaryAnn Ferrigan, Aye; Richard Silverman, Aye; Roy Spangler, Aye; Denis Weiss, Aye; Roberta Werle, Aye;. Motion carried. Recess called at 8:50 p.m. to go into Executive Session.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Closed

REGULAR MEETING RECONVENED

After executive session, the regular meeting was declared reconvened by Chair Roy Spangler at 9:45 p.m.

BOARD ACTION ITEM

A motion was made by Trustee Richard Silverman that the board supports the authority of the president to resolve the Kirtland Federation of Teachers grievance, Retaliation for Union Activities. The motion was supported by Trustee Denis Weiss.

Vote: Ayes, five Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, two Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was declared adjourned at 9:46 p.m. by Chair Roy Spangler.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Koch

Recording Secretary