The Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees convened a meeting on Monday, March 4, 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, Joe Brumit, Himanshu Karvir, Matt Kern, David King, Libby Kyles, Judy Lewis, John Parham, Frances Ramsey, Jason Walls, and Mariana Flores, Ex-Officio. Roger Metcalf participated remotely. Michael Garrison, Tommy Justus, and Roger Reid 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; Fairley Patton, Acting Vice President of Student Services; Beth Stewart, Vice President of Instructional Services; Dirk Wilmoth, Vice President for Business and Finance/CFO; Mariana Flores, Ex-Officio; Darryl Rhymes, Director, Employment & Employee Relations; Ashley Leonard, 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.
Dr. Parham moved to approve Consent Agenda items: 1. A. February 8, 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. Dirk Wilmoth shared that the Audit Committee reviewed the College’s Financial Statements and Audit for the year ended June 30, 2023, prior to the February Board meeting. Since the financial statements were not ready to be distributed at that time, Dr. Wilmoth asked the Board to review and act on the statements today. The audit was clean, and no issues were found.
Mr. Walls moved to approve the Financial Statements for the Year Ended June 30, 2023. Dr. Barwick seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
2. B. Dr. Stewart shared that each year Instructional Services reviews programs, makes decisions, and ascertains the need for new, to change, or to close a program. The Baking and Pastry Arts AAS Degree has seen a significant drop in enrollment due to a reduced need for sugar and chocolate artistry in our community. The administration is seeking approval to close the Baking and Pastry Arts AAS Degree by May 2025. Currently enrolled students will be provided with a “teach-out” plan so that they may finish their degree. A new certificate will be added under the existing Culinary Arts AAS Degree to serve short-term training needs in the community.
2. C. Dr. Stewart continued by stating that due to a decline in enrollment, a change in industry demands, and the fact that most companies train their employees on the job, that the Administration also recommends closing the Geomatics AAS Degree and Certificate program.
Mr. Karvir moved to approve the closures of both the Baking and Pastry Arts AAS Degree and the Geomatics AAS Degree and Certificate. Mr. Brumit seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
2. D. Dr. Wilmoth discussed the 2024-2025 Schedule of Student Fees Changes for curriculum and continuing education instructional fees, with the Board. All changes in global and course consumable fees charged to students require annual approval by the Board. All student fees are covered by financial aid. A spreadsheet showing the original and new fees will be emailed to the Board.
Dr. Barwick moved to approve the 2024-2025 Schedule of Student Fees Changes. Ms. Ramsey seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
President’s Report
Dr. Gossett shared the following with the Board:
- Blue Ridge Community College hired Mr. Dean Shatley to do a “New Trustee Orientation” session toward the end of March. Please let Ms. Rice know if you would like to attend.
- We said goodbye to Mr. Brian Willis two weeks ago, which is a huge shock to this institution. Brian will be greatly missed, and we are in discussions on how to honor him.
- The Rural Educator Academy sponsored several listening sessions in Madison County to determine how the College can better serve our rural communities. All sessions went well, and thank you to Ms. Frances Ramsey who attended each one!
- Propel NC is getting strong support from the General Assembly. Once passed, community colleges will be better suited to serve our students. The College will focus on industry needs and requirements for employees to work in those industries.
- Workforce Pell should be voted on in the House of Representatives tomorrow. If passed, Workforce Pell grants will allow students to get financial aid for non-credit classes.
- The A-B Tech/Buncombe County Joint Task Force met and agreed to ask the Buncombe County Commissioners to pay for the upcoming ten-year Master Plan out of Article 46 funds.
- The status of several ongoing projects on campus are:
- The Enka roof is complete.
- The Haith Branch stormwater abatement is ongoing.
- Bids for the demolition of the Haynes Tower came back under budget. Demolition should start soon.
- Work on the property at 111 Victoria Road has been completed, and the County should close on the purchase of the property soon.
- Superintendents and Presidents of North Carolina schools met last week to discuss opportunities in our communities, artificial intelligence (AI), and how AI will impact all of us.
- Our nursing students achieved a 100 percent passing rate on the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination [for] Registered Nurses) exam!
Staff Presentation
Ms. Carol Faust, Associate Director of Skilled Trades, presented the Trailblazer Mobile Trades Academy to the Board. Finding space available for continuing education classes is challenging especially when we must match the availability of our business and community partners to teach those courses. A mobile training lab would be the solution to the College’s lack of space and would ensure the delivery of tailored training precisely when and where it is most needed.
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) held a grant contest for funding skilled trades projects, so we applied! The project is to empower individuals in our community by providing accessible, hands-on training in essential trades such as construction, electrical work, and plumbing. Students will gain employability skills leading to income potential that meets or exceeds the livable wage for the Asheville area.
We made our pitch in October to over 400 people in attendance at the NACCE conference and were one of seven finalists. The next day we were announced as one of five winners and were awarded a grant of $28,000 toward the purchase cost of our mobile training lab!
We are excited to have a solution in sight to meet the short-term training needs of our community and continue to work on funding opportunities for the remainder of the cost of the mobile lab.
SGA Report
SGA President Mariana Flores shared that the SGA has a food pantry for students, and approximately 35 students visit the pantry each week. SGA has placed donation boxes all over campus to help with the collection of food. Women’s History Month Trivia will take place on March 14, and we will be painting flowerpots, planting seeds, and learning about plant care on March 19.
Closed Session
At 3:47 p.m., Mr. King moved that the Board of Trustees go into closed session pursuant to G.S. § 143.318.11 for the following purposes: under subsection (a)(1) to prevent the disclosure of privileged or confidential personnel information pursuant to G.S. § 115D 27-29; and under subsection (a)(3) to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege. Mr. Walls seconded the motion.
On a motion properly made, the Trustees returned to Open Session at 4:32 p.m.
Handouts
The State and County Budget Report as of January 31, 2024, Divisional Updates, and the February 2023-2024 Tracking Measures Scorecard are in the Handouts.
The next Board meeting will be on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in the Brumit Center for Culinary Arts.
Adjourn
On a motion properly made, the meeting adjourned at 4:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn H. Rice
Board Secretary