The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, August 5, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., in Ramsey 112, at A-B Tech Madison. Dr. Theresa Banks, Chair, presided.
The following members of the Board participated: Joe Barwick, Michael Garrison, Tommy Justus, David King, Judy Lewis, Roger Metcalf, John Parham, Anthony Penland, Frances Ramsey, Glenda Weinert, and Mariana Flores, Ex-Officio. Himanshu Karvir, Matt Kern, Libby Kyles, and Roger Reid were absent.
Others present for the meeting included: John Gossett, President; Amanda Edwards, Executive Director of College Advancement; Kerri Glover, Executive Director of Community Relations and Marketing; Cris Harshman, Interim Vice President of Information Technology; Fairley Patton, Vice President of Student Services; Beth Stewart, Vice President of Instructional Services; Dirk Wilmoth, Vice President for Business and Finance/CFO; Darryl Rhymes, Director, Employment & Employee Relations; Ashley Leonard, College Attorney; and Carolyn Rice, Secretary to the Board.
Call to Order
At 3:00 p.m., Chair Banks read the ethics statement. No conflicts of interest were reported. Ms. Rice called roll; a quorum was present.
Swearing-In
At 3:03 p.m., The Honorable Judge T. McEntire swore in new Trustees Anthony Penland and Glenda Weinert and reappointed Trustees Judy Lewis and Frances Ramsey en masse.
Judge McEntire shared that he was happy to be a part of the ceremony and thanked the Trustees for being willing to serve.
Ms. Sherri Davis, Executive Director of A-B Tech Madison, introduced her team to the Board and thanked everyone for coming to A-B Tech Madison.
Consent Agenda
At 3:09 p.m., Chair Banks asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Ms. Lewis moved to approve Consent Agenda items: 1. A. June 3, 2024, Board Meeting Minutes; 1. B. Personnel Actions; 1. C. Acting President September 4-22, 2024, and 1. D. NCCCS Forms 3-1 for Project Closeouts.
The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was seconded by Dr. Parham. Dr. Weinert abstained from the vote. The motion passed by majority consent.
Resolution/Action Items
2. A. Dr. Wilmoth stated that although the schedule of fees for the coming year was previously approved, the College is adding a new program to Construction Management Technology and four new Certificates to our offerings. These new courses require the addition of testing fees. All student fees may be paid for with scholarships and/or financial aid.
Dr. Justus moved to approve the Adjustments to the 2024-2025 Schedule of Fees. Dr. Parham seconded the motion, which was passed by majority vote. Dr. Weinert abstained from the vote.
2. B. Dr. Wilmoth informed the Board that the North Carolina Community College System Office has yet to finalize the state budget for the Fiscal Year. The Continuing Budget Resolution allows the President and the College to pay state-funded salaries and other ordinary expenses of the College for the interval between the beginning of the new fiscal year and the adoption of the budget resolution by the Board.
Dr. Barwick moved to approve the Continuing Budget Resolution. Ms. Ramsey seconded the motion, which was passed by majority vote. Dr. Weinert abstained from the vote.
2. C. Dr. Gene Loflin informed the Board that the College found that under State Board Code 200.94 Local College Personnel Policies, the Board is allowed to grant employees “other benefits.” The Executive Leadership Team recommends that the Board approves two “Employee Appreciation” days annually going forward as additional benefits for our employees. One day would be used on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and the other day would be used during the week of Christmas break.
It was asked if the College tries to align with our service area’s sports schedules, and we do not. The College does try to align both spring and winter breaks with local school schedules.
Mr. Garrison moved to approve the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Academic Calendars with two employee appreciation days included. Mr. King seconded the motion, which was passed by majority vote. Dr. Weinert abstained from the vote.
2. D. During the June 3, 2024, meeting the Board approved Procedure 110.01: Conflicts of Interest and Undue Influence Questionnaire for the Voting Members of the A-B Tech Community College Board of Trustees. The procedure has been designed for Trustees to complete and sign annually to attest to reading the By-Laws of the College regarding Conflicts of Interest, Appearances of Conflicts, and other rules regarding Trustee conduct. Dr. Gossett asked all Board members to sign the Procedure so that the College may have it on file for the October visit from our accreditors, SACSCOC.
Dr. Parham moved to attest to Procedure 110.01. Ms. Lewis seconded the motion, which was passed by majority vote. Dr. Weinert abstained from the vote.
Dr. Gossett then recognized Dr. Loflin for leading the College through our reaffirmation process, and shared that we couldn’t do it without him!
Trustee Business
3. A. Chair Banks asked Mr. King, representing the Nominating Committee, to present the nominations for Chair, Vice Chair, and Board Secretary for 2024-2025. Mr. King shared that the Committee discussed the nominations and made the following recommendations: Dr. Theresa Banks as Chair, and Ms. Carolyn Rice as Board Secretary. The Committee does not have a recommendation for the Vice Chair at this time.
Chair Banks asked the Board for nominations from the floor. Ms. Ramsey nominated Dr. Parham for Vice Chair. Dr. Parham accepted the nomination. Chair Banks then asked for a motion to approve the slate of candidates as presented. The motion passed by a majority vote. Dr. Weinert abstained.
3.B. Chair Banks asked the Board to nominate two Trustees to serve on the Executive Committee.
Dr. Justus moved that in addition to Dr. Parham, the current Executive Committee members (Dr. Banks, Mr. Karvir, Mr. Kern, and Ms. Ramsey) continue to serve for 2024-2025. Mr. King seconded the motion, which was passed by majority vote. Dr. Weinert abstained from the vote.
3. C. Dr. Gossett encouraged the Board to attend the September 11-13 NCACCT Leadership Seminar being held in Asheville and asked them to let Ms. Rice know if they would like to attend.
President’s Report
Dr. Gossett shared the following with the Board:
- The General Assembly will not be back in session until November, and although we have received a budget estimate, we do not have the final budget from the system office.
- This is the first time in 60 years that the General Assembly hasn’t awarded community colleges enrollment growth funds. This is costing A-B Tech approximately $750,000 and hurts our ability to offer courses with adjuncts. We hope that the funds will be awarded later this year.
- Community College Presidents continue to support Propel NC and hope that the General Assembly will fund the project.
- Curriculum enrollment looks promising for the fall, applications are up, and we continue to enroll Continuing and College Promise (CCP) students.
- Dr. Gossett saw Ms. Sherri Davis helping a student fill out a FAFSA form earlier and thanked her for doing that, saying it takes everyone to get our students enrolled.
- A-B Tech is the proud home of the National Culinary Championship Team! We are planning a reception later in the year to celebrate their accomplishments, and to thank everyone involved in helping our team become a success!
- What you have heard in the news about Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) and its Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program, is mostly true. The President of BRCC asked if A-B Tech would help the students affected by the BRCC situation finish the BLET program on our campus. Thanks to Mr. Daryl Fisher, Dean Clint Gorman, and everyone involved in Woodfin, we are proud to announce that all students from BRCC graduated last week and have gone on to positions in local police departments. This is a great example of community colleges collaborating on behalf of our students.
- Dr. Donat, our SACS liaison, shared that there will be two parts to the accreditation visit. One is the QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan) showing how the College will improve, and the other revolves around meeting SACS accreditation criteria.
- The SACS accreditation team will be on campus the second week of October and wants to meet with Board members. Conversations will be around the accreditation process.
- The College held an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Seminar in July, and we hope to continue holding these seminars for our community. AI is something we all must get familiar with and comfortable with.
- Dr. Wilmoth will be the Acting President from September 4-22 while Dr. Gossett is on vacation with his family.
Dr. Parham congratulated BLET, Surgical Technology, and Radiation Technology for achieving a 100 percent pass rate! Our pass rates are among the highest in the state due to our outstanding faculty.
SGA Report
SGA President Mariana Flores shared that the SGA is getting geared up for the new semester and that she is excited to get back to college.
Staff Report
Mx. Porscha Orndorff, Ms. Sherri Davis, and Mr. Stacy Peek shared the following findings from the Rural Educator Academy (REA) and Madison County Listening Sessions:
- Many community members face difficulties accessing education and health services due to limited transportation options in the county. We are exploring partnerships with local transportation agencies to alleviate some of the issues and plan to bring the College to the people once the Mobile Trades Academy is outfitted.
- There are only two community health workers in Madison County. We hope to expand our health-related course offerings at A-B Tech Madison to train more students in health-related fields.
- There is a huge need for trade programs in the County. Again, once the Mobile Trades Academy is equipped, we will be able to bring vocational training to outlying areas of Madison County.
- A-B Tech will make every effort to bring the College to where it is needed the most in the community. We hope to offer courses in local community centers and libraries.
- To conclude, there are many opportunities to embed A-B Tech into the community, and we will do our best to help everyone everywhere!
Closed Session
At 3:58 p.m., Mr. King moved that the Trustees enter closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a) (1) and (3) in order to discuss confidential personnel matters pursuant to G.S. 115D-27-29 and to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege.”
At 4:13 p.m., Mr. Garrison moved to return to the Open Session. Ms. Lewis seconded the motion, and Mr. King seconded the motion, which was passed by majority vote. Dr. Weinert abstained from the vote.
Handouts
The State and County Budget Report as of June 30, 2024, and the Divisional Update are in the Handouts.
The next Board meeting will be on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in The Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Tillman Dining Room.
Adjourn
Dr. Banks thanked the Board for coming to God’s Country!
Upon a motion properly made, the meeting adjourned at 4.22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary