The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 3:02 p.m., in The Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Tillman Dining Room. Dr. Theresa Banks, Chair, presided.
The following members of the Board participated: Joe Barwick, Michael Garrison, Himanshu Karvir, David King, Libby Kyles, Judy Lewis, Roger Metcalf, John Parham, Frances Ramsey, and Jason Walls. Joe Brumit and Tommy Justus participated remotely. Matt Kern, Roger Reid, and Mariana Flores, Ex-Officio were absent.
Others present for the meeting included: John Gossett, President; Deborah Bailey, Vice President of Economic & Workforce Development and Continuing Education; Shanna Chambers, Vice President of Human Resources; Amanda Edwards, Executive Director of College Advancement; Kerri Glover, Executive Director of Community Relations and Marketing; Cris Harshman, Interim Vice President of Information Technology; Beth Stewart, Vice President of Instructional Services; Dirk Wilmoth, Vice President for Business and Finance/CFO; Darryl Rhymes, Director, Employment & Employee Relations; Chris Campbell, College Attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Call to Order
At 3:02 p.m., Chair Banks read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. Rice called roll; a quorum was present.
Consent Agenda
At 3:03 p.m., Chair Banks asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Karvir moved to approve Consent Agenda items: 1. A. March 4, 2024, Board Meeting Minutes; and 1. B. Personnel Actions.
The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was seconded by Mr. Walls.The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution/Action Items
2. A. Dr. Stewart shared that the availability of qualified Manicuring instructors is critically low and that the College would like to offer a Manicuring Instructor Certificate program in the fall. The Manicuring Instructor Certificate program will provide a quality education for those wanting to pursue a teaching career, an avenue for graduates of the Manicuring/Nail Technology program, and would help to increase the pool of qualified manicuring instructors in the community.
2. B. Dr. Stewart continued by stating that the College also wishes to offer an Esthetics Instructor Certificate program in the fall. The Esthetics Instructor Certificate program will provide a quality education for those wanting to pursue a teaching career and will be an avenue for graduates of the Esthetics program to further their education at A-B Tech.
Ms. Lewis moved to approve both the Manicuring Instructor and the Esthetics Instructor Certificate programs. Dr. Parham seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Trustee Business
3. A. Dr. Gossett and Dr. Barwick attended the NCACCT Law-Legislative Seminar and shared the following with the Board:
- PropelNC was discussed and will continue to be pursued with the General Assembly.
- The President’s Association of the North Carolina Community College System is working with the North Carolina Community College’s Trustees Association to negotiate what the future looks like with the changes made by the General Assembly.
- Ms. Ashley Leonard facilitated the Attorney's meeting, which was well attended.
- State Board members are concerned about the erosion of their power and the intrusion of the legislature.
3. B. Mr. David King, Mr. Himanshu Karvir, and Dr. Theresa Banks will serve on the Presidential Evaluation Committee.
3. C. Trustees were encouraged to file their Statement of Economic Interest forms as soon as possible.
3. D. The Board will receive an invitation to the May 11, 2024, Commencement Ceremony soon. We hope all can attend.
3. E. The June 3, 2024, Board Meeting will be held at A-B Tech Madison.
President’s Report
Dr. Gossett shared the following with the Board:
- Dr. Gossett has met with all our local legislators, and the largest employers in our area to promote PropelNC.
- We closed on the property located at 111 Victoria Road. The property is now and will remain a parking lot for the foreseeable future. We plan to rent parking spaces to high school students starting this fall.
- The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved the use of Article 46 funds to pay for the new ten-year Master Plan.
- Dr. Gossett met with Woodfin Mayor Jim McAllister who was very interested in A-B Tech and especially all the good things happening at A-B Tech Woodfin.
- A Presidential Focus Group on how the system office can better serve our community colleges was held in Greensboro with Dr. Cox.
- The College will be closed on April 3 and half of April 5 for infrastructure improvements.
Handouts
The State and County Budget Report as of February 29, 2024, and the Divisional Updates are in the Handouts. Dr. Banks asked the Board to look at the May Mingle invitation.
The next Board meeting will be on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in The Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality.
Mr. Walls asked about the College’s budget spreadsheet. Dr. Wilmoth assured the Board that there wasn’t anything alarming with the budget.
The Board then discussed Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how the College will both monitor and allow students to use AI in their coursework.
Adjourn
Dr. Parham moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:34 p.m. Ms. Ramsey seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary