BUDGET WORKSHOP

Members Present:       Carole Kuehn, Jan Keith Farmer, Sally Galer

Members Absent:        Robert Bovee, Roy Spangler, Patricia Webb, Arlene Wilder

Others Present:           Stacey Barnes, Karen Brown, Carol Finke, Detmar Finke, Kathy Koch, Ed Koliba, Doty Latuszek, Kathy Marsh, Charles Rorie, Tim Scherer, Roberta Werle

 

PRESENTATION

At 5:55 p.m., Edmund Koliba, Chief Business and Finance Officer, provided a PowerPoint presentation of the 2004-2005 Preliminary Budget Overview.  Sources of revenue and revenue assumptions were explained and discussed.  Total revenues are projected at $14,788,904 which is a 6.3 percent increase over last year.  Expenditures, anticipated at $14,755,352, represent a 5.6 percent increase.  Capital and equipment expenses reflect $51,494 more than last year. Operating expenses are expected to increase less than .5 percent.  The majority of expenditures come from salary and wages, then fringe benefits, followed by operating expenses.  M-TEC detail was provided along with and separate from campus-based detail.

 

The workshop presentation and discussion ended at 6:30 p.m.

 

REGULAR BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

 

CALL TO ORDER      Vice Chair Carole Kuehn called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.            

ROLL CALL

Members Present:       Robert Bovee Sally Galer, Carole Kuehn,  Roy Spangler,  Patricia Webb, Arlene Wilder

Members Absent:        Jan Keith Farmer

Others Present:           Stacey Barnes, Jerry Boerema, JoAnn Comerford, Tom Dale, Raymond Davis, Carol Finke, Detmar Finke, Robert Green, Cheryl Holladay, Chris Hecox, Jeremy Jones, Lois Jones, Kathy Koch, Norman Kuehn, Ed Koliba, Doty Latuszek, Alan Mabarak, Martha Marcero, Kathy Marsh, Kyle Morrison, Russell Omans, Charles Rorie, Tim Scherer, Dale Shantz, Ilene St. Onge, Jason Prout, Roberta Werle

WELCOME

Members and guests were welcomed by Vice Chair Carole Kuehn.  She explained that Chair Jan Farmer had to leave to attend his son’s recital, but plans to return later in the evening.

 

OPEN DISCUSSION

Tribute to outgoing board member

Tom Dale, part-time faculty, science, provided a tribute to Arlene Wilder partly because he said he was responsible for her running for the board of trustees by begging her to run for office.  Realizing now that she is going to retire from the board, he could not let that happen without giving a tribute to Arlene.  She began here as a community volunteer then she became a student who impacted his teaching when he implemented a poetry component to his course. Since then, Arlene’s poetry has been included in his course syllabus to encourage other students to consider writing poetry.  He thought it fitting to share that poem. 

Quiet Time by A.J.Wilder

Journey with me for a quiet time.

Relax and watch the river’s placid flow,

Just before a storm.

The city’s noises left behind,

You hear the sound of nature.

 

A turtle surfaces in search of food,

or climbs upon a fallen branch

To view his world.

Ducks and geese floating languidly

Come ashore.

Hoping for a handout.

I feed them corn, dried on the cob.

I’d live beside the river all year round.

It wouldn’t be summer place for me.

I’d watch the turning leaves,

The ice and snow.

And dream of Indians camped

Along its shore

So many moons ago.

Boats with motors never

Broke the silence then,

Only splashing oars beside canoes.

They’re absent now and the

Approaching storm.

My reverie is undisturbed.

As rain begins to fall,

The river bubbles,

The drops come faster now

Hitting the surface in staccato beats.

And I return, reluctantly,

To city sounds.

Then shrink my heart and mind and soul

To fit inside a room.

 

Carole Kuehn presented Arlene Wilder with a certificate saying that she has served the community with distinction as a member of the Board of Education of Kirtland Community College that was to be given to her at the Joint Boards meeting with COOR area school districts.

 

Arlene Wilder responded by saying how much she has learned these six years and how happy she is to be able to say that she enjoyed the whole six years.  She promised not to retreat entirely but to come back to some of the meetings because Kirtland will always have a special place in her heart.

 

Comments on the last board workshop

Detmar Finke, citizen and candidate for the board of trustees, added his appreciation to A.J. Wilder for being a role model on the board and a good representative of our students. 

 

Pertaining to the board workshop with Dr. George Potter held on May 13, 2004, he voiced disagreement with the presentation and likened it to how you set up and administer a minimum security prison; rules for what you cannot do, designed to stifle democratic discussion.  He gave a description of how he believes a board should act. Finke believes a board should have discussion, dispute and argument because a board represents the community as a whole, and the community is never of a single mind about the issues in education.  Because education is important, there will be disputes and disputes should be aired at board meetings.

 

 

To him, there are two basic responsibilities that boards have. The first one is to provide for the financial stability and health of the institution.  But, the most important function is to make sure that the product presented is quality.  The product is the education experience of students which is generated by the faculty in interaction with students. The board is supposed to set up the conditions under which that experience can blossom.  To do that, faculty must play a major role in the institution.  It is not up to the board to tell the faculty what to do, but to ask them what needs to be done.  Because the faculty is the heart and soul of the institution, they should be consulted as a group on every issue. He asked the board to start listening to the students and the faculty, and that is why he values A.J. so much because she did that, and you should too.

 

Comments on open discussion at last board meeting

Trustee Carole Kuehn, speaking as a citizen, a tax payer and a former student, addressed the comments made at the last board meeting by Carol Finke about a former student who ended his own life, paralleling it to her perception of the grief and pain on this campus due to a reorganization that happened last fall.  Kuehn said she has had a month to think about what was said, and felt compelled by her conscience to speak to the other side of the issue.  As the parent of a child who has suicided, she related that there is absolutely no comparison.  If anyone wants to know what that feels like, she will speak to them privately, but this is not the place for that kind of drama.  It was an inappropriate and cruel comparison. 

 

It is time to move on and stop using a closed topic to disrupt the workplace.  It is destructive to the important work we do here. Not to be misunderstood, she said, if there is a grossly unfair issue or if something arises that negatively affects the operation and the students, then it should be corrected, and she has no problem giving that the time and energy necessary to resolve. If someone is truly sad or fearful, then that person may need to seek help to get through those feelings if they are related to the changes here.  But, if we are perhaps exaggerating when there is no problem, we must each look in the mirror and make sure that we are not part of the problem, and that the battle, disruption and end result is truly enough to justify the means.  She hopes that in the future we can step to very real problems.

 

We are on a very positive wave-length here.  People are excited about AQIP.  It can and will work to make this a better place for the people who come here for whatever reason.  This is just one of many things that are happening.  The Warbler festival was a huge success, despite the weather, and was enjoyed by the people who were here in whatever capacity, whether volunteers or guests. We have some of the finest faculty and support staff we could possibly have working here.  M-TEC is a dynamic and ever growing opportunity for so many.  Let us move forward and look at what is best for our students and faculty and work together to continue to make positive things happen here. She cares deeply about this institution and is proud that we have such a fine reputation throughout the community colleges and in the mid-west. Whatever she can do to help us grow in positive directions, she will continue to do.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the April 15, 2004 regular board of trustees meeting were reviewed and approved with a motion from Trustee Sally Galer, supported by Trustee Arlene Wilder.  The minutes from April 15, 2004 were declared approved as presented.

 

The minutes from the April 23, 2004 special board meeting were reviewed and approved with a motion from Trustee Sally Galer, supported by Trustee Robert Bovee.  The minutes from April 23, 2004 were declared approved as presented.

 

The minutes from the May 13, 2004 board workshop were reviewed and approved with a motion from Trustee Sally Galer, supported by Trustee Roy Spangler.  The minutes from May 13, 2004 were declared approved as presented.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

June board meeting date

Charles Rorie, President, explained that the June 17, 2004 regular board meeting date falls at the same time as the AQIP Strategy Forum held in Chicago. He recommended changing the date of the June board meeting to June 24, 2004.  No objections were made, so the June board of trustees meeting will be held on June 24, 2004 at 7 p.m.

 

He reminded everyone that a public budget hearing will precede the June board meeting at 6:45 p.m.  Notices of the hearing will be published in local newspapers.

 

 

 

Regular biennial election

Rorie reminded everyone to plan to vote in the regular biennial election on Monday, June 14, 2004.

 

MCCA Summer Workshop

The MCCA Summer Workshop is confirmed for July 22-24, 2004 in Traverse City.  The meetings will take place on Northwestern Michigan College’s campus.

 

Honor society commendation

Rorie shared a letter from the executive director of Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society commending Kirtland’s chapter, Alpha Omicron Gamma, for earning the Five Star designation which is the highest level a chapter can attain in the chapter development program. The chapter  will be receiving special recognition at the Michigan Region Convention May 21-23 in Traverse City.

 

Board requested information

In response to the board’s request, Charles Rorie asked Dale Shantz, Director of Human Resources, to prepare a memorandum outlining the details of the events which led to the decision to reassign Richard Silverman.  The memorandum was sent to board members on May 3, 2004.  Rorie asked the board members if they had any questions related to the memorandum.  For public record, copies were available as noted by Vice Chair Kuehn.

 

FACULTY PRESENTER

Alan Mabarak, M-TEC Instructor, Construction Technology, presented the electrical technology program plus some opportunities and successes of M-TEC students.  Robert Green was present to share his experience as a student.

The electrical program is theory and competency based, developed around the national electric code.  Mabarak provided a profile of each of the instructors in the program including their credentials and experience.  The curriculum is approved by the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship Training and by the State of Michigan and counts for up to 1,000 hours toward a journeyman license.

 

Rob Green spoke of his experience as a student.  His background has been strictly blue collar, in a family business and factory jobs.  His goal has been to stay in northern lower Michigan and he agreed to retraining in order to do so. He has recently graduated from M-TEC at Gaylord and is now an apprentice with an electrical company based out of Petoskey.  He noted that all of the students in his class are employed.  He looks forward to giving back to the community by applying his skills through his work and through voluntary work with Habitat for Humanity.

 

BUSINESS FOR BOARD ACTION

1.      Resolution to approve retirement of Richard Silverman, Vice President for Research and Program Evaluation

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Sally Galer and supported by Trustee Patricia Webb:

WHEREAS

Richard Silverman, Vice President for Research and Program Evaluation, has submitted a letter indicating his plans to retire from the college June 4, 2004.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees hereby move to approve the retirement of Richard Silverman.

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

 

2.      Resolution to establish the general fund revenue estimate for the 2002-03 fiscal year

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Roy Spangler and supported by Trustee Robert Bovee:

WHEREAS

1.   Michigan Public Act 331 of 1966 requires the estimate of general fund revenue for the upcoming year, and

2.   The college administrative team is recommending that the board of trustees establish the general fund revenue estimate for the 2004-05 fiscal year.

 

3.   The board of trustees has determined that the recommendation is based on a thorough review of available data and sound assumptions as presented at a budget workshop on May 20, 2004.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

The general fund revenue estimate be established in the amount of $13,449,567 for the 2004-05 fiscal year.

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

 

3.      Resolution to move approval of 2004-2005 Preliminary Budget to second reading

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Roy Spangler and supported by Trustee Sally Galer:

WHEREAS

1.   A draft of the 2004-2005 Preliminary Budget was presented to the Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees in a budget workshop on May 20, 2004, and

2.   The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed budget as a first reading at this meeting, and

3.   The Board of Trustees will have the opportunity to study the proposed budget and raise any questions and/or concerns until they are satisfactorily addressed by the College Administrative Team.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

The proposed 2004-2005 Preliminary Budget be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

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

 

4.      Resolution to move POL 5.440 PRESIDENTIAL EVALUATION to second reading

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Sally Galer and supported by Trustee Patricia Webb:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed POL 5.440 PRESIDENTIAL EVALUATION as a first reading at this meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

This proposed POL 5.440 PRESIDENTIAL EVALUATION be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

 

After discussion, the motion was amended to request a re-write of the policy with input from the board; not moved to a second reading.

Vote:   Ayes, six    Nays, zero  Abstain, zero    Absent, one                  Amended resolution declared adopted.

 

5.      Resolution to move POL 5.120 JOB VACANCIES revision to second reading

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Sally Galer and supported by Trustee Arlene Wilder:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed POL 5.120 JOB VACANCIES revision as a first reading at this meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

This proposed POL 5.120 JOB VACANCIES revision be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

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

 

1.      Resolution to move POL 5.330 PROMOTIONAL TRANSFERS Revision to second reading

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Sally Galer and supported by Trustee Robert Bovee:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed POL 5.330 PROMOTIONAL TRANSFERS revision as a first reading at this meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

 

This proposed POL 5.330 PROMOTIONAL TRANSFERS revision be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

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

 

7.      Resolution to move POL 5.335 LATERAL TRANSFERS revision to second reading

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Sally Galer and supported by Trustee Arlene Wilder:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed POL 5.335 LATERAL TRANSFERS revision as a first reading at this meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

This proposed POL 5.335 LATERAL TRANSFERS revision be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

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

 

8.      Resolution to move POL 5.315 ADDITION OF NEW CLASSIFIED STAFF POSITIONS revision to second reading

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Sally Galer and supported by Trustee Patricia Webb:

WHEREAS

The Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees has been presented the proposed POL 5.315 ADDITION OF NEW CLASSIFIED STAFF POSITIONS revision as a first reading at this meeting,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

This proposed POL 5.315 ADDITION OF NEW CLASSIFIED STAFF POSITIONS revision be moved to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting.

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

 

9.      Resolution to approve appointment of board member to the M-TEC_ Governing Advisory Board

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Patricia Webb and supported by Trustee Sally Galer:

WHEREAS

1.   The board has authorized the establishment of an M-TEC Governing Advisory Board to provide input and oversight to the M-TEC programs and services, and

2.   Ongoing input from business, industry, governmental and educational partners is essential to ensure that the M-TEC programs meet the needs of the citizens within this community and its surrounding areas, and

3.   In accordance with the Governing Advisory Board By-laws; Article II, section 2. The board of trustees of Kirtland Community College shall approve all appointments to the Governing Advisory Board,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

The Board of Trustees approve the appointment of Lori Lancaster, Executive Director of the Northern Michigan Home Builders’ Association, to the Governing Advisory Board for a term of no less than two years.

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

 

REPORTS FOR BOARD INFORMATION

10.  AQIP update

Kathy Marsh, Dean of Instruction and Educational Services, announced that on April 20, 2004 we received notice from the Higher Learning Commission of NCA that Kirtland has been accepted into the Academic Quality Improvement Project (AQIP) process for re-accreditation.  The AQIP team met in April and heard presentations from the subcommittees on each of the propositions from Conversation Day regarding their investigations and fact-finding activities.  She said that we ended up with four propositions that we will move to action projects.  On June 16, nine team members from Kirtland will be attending the Strategy Forum in Chicago.  She provided a copy of the Strategy for Action Workbook that outlines the action projects they will be working on.  The process is similar to the self-study on-site process performed in past years where outside evaluators come to our campus, but instead, by going to Chicago, they will work with up to eight other colleges or universities, getting input from those other schools.

 

 

11.  M-TEC update

Doty Latuszek, Acting Provost, provided minutes from the most recent Governing Advisory Board and explained the activity concerning audit meetings with the county, a review/update of the operating agreement with University Center and integrating processes with main campus.

 

Vice Chair Kuehn asked Kathy Marsh to introduce the new faculty federation president, Jason Prout, who assumes office July 1, 2004.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 8:30 p.m. a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of providing attorney-client information was made by Trustee Patricia Webb, supported by Trustee Roy Spangler. 

Vote:   Ayes, five   Nays, zero  Abstain, zero    Absent, one

 

Note:  Trustee Arlene Wilder did not stay for the executive session.  Chair Jan Farmer arrived during the executive session, at which time Vice Chair Carole Kuehn turned the meeting over to him.

 

At 9 p.m., a motion to move from executive session back to the regular meeting was made by Trustee Roy Spangler supported by Robert Bovee. 

Vote:   Ayes, six,   Nays, zero, Abstain, zero    Absent, one

 

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS FOR BOARD ACTION

Resolution to authorize college president to approve joinder or other legal action

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Trustee Carole Kuehn and supported by Trustee Patricia Webb:

WHEREAS

1.      This board of trustees has reason to believe that Kirtland Community College Vice President Richard Silverman acted outside the scope of his authority, and contrary to board policy and procedures in the hiring, retention and primary supervision of Detmar Finke.

2.      Mr. Finke has now filed federal litigation against Kirtland Community College for violations of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), in large part, arising out of and because of Mr. Silverman’s supervision and employment of Mr. Finke.

3.      The FLSA holds supervisors jointly and severally liable for violations of the act.

4.      The board has determined that Mr. Silverman should be required to contribute to any damages for FLSA which may be found and of damages which may be levied.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

1.      The Thrun Law Firm, P.C., is hereby authorized to seek recourse on behalf of Kirtland Community College against Richard Silverman through joinder or any other means as may be necessary or appropriate including filing separate litigation as may be approved by the college President, Charles Rorie.

2.      Dr. Rorie may also authorize legal counsel on behalf of the college to take other action as may be necessary to protect the interest of the college.

3.      Dr. Rorie may, with legal consultation, take other necessary legal or administrative action to protect the interest of Kirtland Community College.

4.      All resolutions and parts of resolution insofar as they conflict with the provisions of this resolution be and the same are hereby rescinded.

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

 

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to come before the board, Roy Spangler motioned to adjourn supported by Carole Kuehn.

Jan Farmer declared the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Koch, Recording Secretary