KIRTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES
November 20, 2008
at McGregor Athletic Complex, Mio, Michigan
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Roy Spangler called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Richard Silverman, Roy Spangler, Patricia Webb, Denis Weiss, Roberta Werle
Members Absent: MaryAnn Ferrigan, Sally Galer
Others Present: Stacey Barnes, Kathy Koch, Ed Koliba, Jackie Liddle, Dennis Mansfield, Kristi McGregor, Kathy Marsh, Kyle Morris, Tom Quinn, Ilene Scherer, Tim Scherer, Evelyn Schenk, Jerry Werle
WELCOME
Chair Spangler welcomed everyone present.
MINUTES
Minutes from the October 16, 2008 regular board meeting were presented and approved with one correction after a motion from Trustee Richard Silverman, supported by Trustee Denis Weiss.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kathy Koch relayed a message received earlier in the day from Mark Grantner of the Oscoda County Council on Aging. He could not be present, but wanted to express appreciation, in his words “kudos,” for the senior computer classes held in Mio. The class, taught by Clay Horton, is restricted to ten people, and he said he did not have to advertise it at all. He merely placed a sign-up sheet at the senior meals location, and it filled up immediately. He said usually when he has offered classes, they lose people along the way, but the same ten people have returned each week. Others are asking when they can take the class. He hopes this class will be offered again in the community.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Personnel Update
College president, Tom Quinn, presented the following personnel update as prepared by Dale Shantz, Director of Human Resources:
Stacey McIsaac and Alan Somero have been hired as part-time Kirtland Public Safety Officers.
Mary Kehoe, Counselor (Limited License) has successfully completed the national Counselor Examination (NCE). She will now receive the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Ginna Wenger, Instructor of English, has submitted her notification of intent to retire effective June 30, 2009.
Information Items
Student Outcome Assessment Plan draft
Kathy Marsh, Dean of Instruction, explained the draft student outcome assessment plan. It has three levels which are course level assessment, program assessment, and institutional assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to create discussions that will improve academic quality.
Tom Quinn commented on information items provided in the board packets. Those items include a letter from the Under Secretary of Defense congratulating us for agreeing to provide in-state tuition rates to active duty Service members and their families in Michigan; a newspaper article about the state governor’s intention of positioning the state to become the advanced battery capital of the world to lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign oil through innovations in advanced battery technologies; an eServices award for winning the 2008 Digital Community Colleges Survey sponsored by The Center for Digital Education and Converge magazine; a report of online/hybrid/on-campus statistics for courses offered and enrollments; a letter from the State of Michigan Department of Treasury congratulating our Financial Aid department for assisting student loan borrowers to avoid student loan default with a default rate below ten percent for the three most recent cohort years; and an article from University Business magazine, Across Generational Lines by Rock Jones, about making an intergenerational living complex (dormitory) work.
A financial report through October 31, 2008 was provided by Ed Koliba, Chief Business and Finance Officer.
Cell phone tower proposals
Tim Scherer, Director of Institutional Services, provided a presentation on decisions needed for bringing cell phone service to campus. Our current tower on campus has been determined to be inadequate by engineers representing the two providers considering bringing their service to campus, Alltel and Centennial. One option to consider is build our own tower and lease space to the providers for a total cost estimate of $250,000 and a ten year pay back through revenue. A second option is to do nothing and not have cellphone service on campus. The third option is to lease property to a third party who will construct a tower, at their cost, and lease space on it to other providers with some revenue sharing to Kirtland.
Trustee Richard Silverman offered a motion to pursue option three to allow a third party to build a tower and lease the land from the college. The motion was supported by Denis Weiss.
Vote: Ayes, four Nays, one Abstain, zero Absent, two Motion declared approved.
BOARD MEMBER REPORTS/OPEN DISCUSSION
Foundation report
Trustee Richard Silverman reported on the October Kirtland Community College Foundation meeting. Kathleen Guy from Northwestern Michigan College provided a presentation on capital campaigns and what needs to be in place for a successful campaign. First of all, an employee of the college or the foundation needs to be designated as an executive director to spearhead the foundation’s efforts. It is necessary to have good communication between the foundation and the board of trustees, a strategic plan in place, and a good database of potential donors.
President’s evaluation statement
Deferred to follow the executive session at the request of the college president.
NEW BUSINESS/BOARD ACTION
1. Resolution to Levy and Collect Summer 2009 Property Taxes
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Denis Weiss and supported by Trustee Patricia Webb:
WHEREAS
The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees intends to impose a summer 2009 property tax levy of all of the district's property taxes, including debt services, upon property located within the district in accordance with its continuing resolution previously adopted on December 21, 1988 and continuing from year to year until specifically revoked by the board of trustees.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT
1. The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees reaffirms its intent to impose a summer 2009 property tax levy of all of the district's property taxes, including debt services, upon property located within the district in accordance with its continuing resolution previously adopted on December 21, 1988 and continuing from year-to-year until specifically revoked by the board of trustees, and
2. The President or his/her designee is authorized and directed to provide the governing body of each city and/or township in which the district is located a copy of this resolution requesting each city and/or township to collect the summer tax levy for 2009 in the same manner and at the same time the township is collecting school or intermediate school district taxes. Said resolution and the request to collect the summer tax levy shall be forwarded to the appropriate governing bodies by January 1, 2008, and
3. The President or his/her designee is authorized to negotiate on behalf of this district with the governing body of each city and/or township in which the district is located for the reasonable expenses for collection of the district's summer property tax levy that the city and/or township may bill under MCL 380.1611 or MCL 380.1612.
Vote: Ayes, five Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, two Resolution declared approved.
2. Sabbatical Leave Request, C. Finke
The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Roberta Werle and supported by Trustee Patricia Webb:
WHEREAS
The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the request for a Sabbatical Leave for Carol Finke for the Fall Semester of 2009.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT
The Board of Trustees hereby move to approve the Sabbatical Leave as submitted.
Vote: Ayes, five Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, two Resolution declared adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR PRESIDENT’S EVALUATION
At the request of President Quinn, a motion to move into executive session to discuss the President’s evaluation statement was made by Patricia Webb, supported by Denis Weiss.
Vote: Ayes, five Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, two
Executive session was declared after a five minute break at 8:10 p.m.
RETURN TO OPEN MEETING
At 8:49 p.m. Chair Spangler declared a return to open meeting after a motion from Patricia Webb supported by Denis Weiss.
Roy Spangler read the summary of the board’s evaluation of Dr. Tom Quinn for 2007-2008.
Summary of Board’s Evaluation of Dr. Tom Quinn for 2007-2008
The Kirtland Community College trustees agree that Tom Quinn has demonstrated the following strengths since he has been President:
1. He is committed to student success and retention, and has supported changes to meet those needs.
2. He promotes the development of new instructional programs to meet workforce needs of the area.
3. He is a visionary planner who is willing to take calculated risks. He is also an innovative and creative problem solver.
4. He emphasizes the importance of improving the quality of data in order to make sound decisions; and he has implemented an instructional program review model that uses updated and relevant data.
5. He has improved communication, collaboration and teamwork.
6. He understands the importance of distance learning and the importance of improving technology to better support it.
7. He has been a positive and effective representative of Kirtland in the local communities.
The Kirtland Community College trustees agree that the following presents Tom Quinn with an opportunity to improve his effectiveness:
1. The President needs to delegate some of the functions that he is currently performing. He must also designate the right people for the various responsibilities of his senior management team. He should then provide those team members with the appropriate professional development activities. Any delay in doing this will continue to divert his time, efforts and energies from focusing on increasing Kirtland’s revenues, improving its financial condition, and implementing a visionary strategic plan.
In conclusion, the trustees commend Dr. Quinn for quickly learning about Kirtland’s history and then determining its strengths and those areas that can be improved. The trustees believe that he has earned the respect of the community and has energized the board and the college. With his continued strong leadership in the coming years, the board expects that a visionary plan will be completed to provide guidance as to how to better serve students and the community, while strengthening the college’s financial condition.
Roberta Werle moved to adopt the summary statement; supported by Patricia Webb to be placed in the public record.
Vote: Ayes, five Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, two Motion approved.
Roberta Werle moved to the assignment of reviewing Dr. Quinn’s contract and salary. Roberta Werle moved to approve the following four items regarding the college president:
1. The board wishes to renew the president’s contract for another year.
2. The board feels it appropriate to provide a merit increase to a salary of $130,000 per year.
3. The board proposes raising the president’s car allowance to $ 8,000.
4. The board will assign a subcommittee to recommend an increase to the president’s retirement contribution.
The motion was supported by Richard Silverman. Add-on to motion: The merit increase and other increases are retroactive to July 1, 2008.
Vote: Ayes, five Nays, zero Abstain, zero Absent, two Motion declared approved.
Chair Roy Spangler thanked the board for all their efforts.
OTHER
Roberta Werle announced a student reading of their poetry and stories on December 1 at Kirtland House with a reception at 5 p.m. and the reading at 5:30.
Richard Silverman asked about the status of Trustee Sally Galer. Roy Spangler responded that he called her last week and discussed her communication with Dr. Quinn about possibly resigning from the board. Spangler told her that it is her decision. He has not received a letter of resignation. Until such time as she informs the board as a whole, we cannot act. Roberta Werle offered to investigate the ISD question regarding a board vacancy and we will follow past practice if and when we get an official resignation.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was declared adjourned at 9:04 p.m. by Chair Roy Spangler.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Koch
Recording Secretary