Quincy Reporter

John Wood Community College Board of Trustees Executive Committee met Oct. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The Executive Committee met on Wednesday, September 14, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) in room C252. Attendees were Ms. Diane Ary, Mr. Bob Rhea and Mr. Andy Sprague (via Zoom); Mr. Michael Elbe, president and Ms. Leah Benz, executive assistant, note taker.

October Board Agenda Items

Business items:

2020 Audit - The auditors will be joining the October meeting to discuss the 2020 audit by zoom. Copies will be sent upon arrival. Hard copies will be available.

General obligation bonds and Intent to levy equity adjustment for 2020 tax year - These two items are normal requests for our tax requirements.

Robotics RFP – Bids were solicited from qualified vendors to provide robotics welding cell with grant dollars.

Health Insurance premium - Administration is recommending an increase in premium costs to JWCC and its employees of approximately 9%. This increase is needed to cover the costs of services. Price increase goes into effect January 1, 2021.

PHS projects – A resolution and certificate is being presented to levy a tax for Protection, Health, and Safety projects. The amount total is $202,769. Due to a law change, ICCB approval is no longer required. Six projects have been identified to be funded through this tax levy.

RAMP documents - Six Resource Allocation Management Plan (RAMP) documents have been identified. They include parking lot repairs, heat pump replacement, HVAC upgrades, restroom stall partition replacements, and entrance vestibule in Heath Center. RAMP documents involve matching funds commitment by the College. Upon Board approval these documents are submitted to ICCB for inclusion in the FY21 capital budget.

Faculty MOU - A MOU containing modifications and clarifications to the FY19-22 Collective Bargaining Agreement was made. Noted changes in delivery method as it is related to COVID-19 were made. This MOU is good for this academic year only.

Personnel

Work Accommodations - The executive committee heard that due to Covid-19 work accommodations for those employees who meet the required medical guidelines were extended through the end of October. At this time, accommodation decisions are being made on a monthly basis due to the uncertainty of this virus and the changing landscape. October requirement is 50% on campus and 25% hybrid.

Discussion items:

Fall Retreat Take – A- Ways - A copy of the fall retreat take-a-ways was provided to the committee. A copy will be included in the table folder. Five reoccurring themes discussed and were the result of a follow up conversation with the President and cabinet members. They were partnerships, CTE programs/facilities, digital/technology components, infrastructure/resources and the need to stay fluid, flexible, creative and strategic moving forward.

Faculty Union Leadership request – Mr. Dave Leonard and Ms. Kelly Larson have made a special request to discuss amicable separation with Board members. This request will be shared with the entire board for input and direction.

United Way – December 23rd request - The executive committee was informed of the internal employee United Way campaign for this year. The College, every year, participates in the community wide efforts to support United Way and the 23 partner organizations who receive funding to support social services in our community. This year’s committee realizes they cannot conduct their fund-raising efforts in the manner that has been done in the past. In an effort to be supportive and provide an incentive President Elbe stated he would present a proposal to the Board of Trustees on the possibility to have Wednesday, December 23 as an extra day off if the college met its fundraising goal this year. The committee was then challenged to set a goal and percentage that would match this request. The goal was set at $5,000 with a 65% participation rate. Although the dollar amount is slightly lower from last year the committee felt they have two less weeks for asking and less opportunities to host fund raising activities. This request will also be shared with the entire Board for input and direction.

Kinscherff Center - The committee heard the Kinscherff Center closing was held. The transaction is completed and the building has been successfully sold for $125,100. The net amount after closing and realtor fees was $120,834. A request for $50,000 of the funds will be asked to be placed in an endowed scholarship in the name of the Kinscherffs. The remaining $70,000 is being requested to be used for upgrades to the main campus courtyard.

Campus Master Plan follow-up - Mr. LaTour, following a Board retreat request, updated the excel cost sheet of projects from the Campus Master plan. A copy of this updated sheet will be placed in the table folder and discussed at the Board of Trustees meeting. Bonding will begin in June 2021. Discussion is being held on the amount of bonding, but 5 million has been identified.

Orr Corporation update – The Orr project is progressing. Two major requests have been requested at this time and are awaiting confirmation. One of those contributions is anticipated to be announced in December. This project is moving forward.

FY21 Budget update - President Elbe informed the Executive Committee that the FY21 budget allocations are linked to Governor Pritzker’s graduated income tax which is on the ballot for a vote this November. If this tax does not pass the College anticipates a reduction of 10-15% in state payments.

Leadership Council Update – The committee heard that Leadership Council has been tasked with the theme of S.O.S. which stands for Survive, Observe, and See What’s Next. Five observation teams have been identified for assistance in Strategic planning for the next year. The five teams are:

Mode of Instruction – this team will observe the delivery methods of instruction and recommend the best model

Mode of Operations – this team will observe tutoring, counseling, book sales, etc.

Mode of Enrollment Management – this team will observe and evaluate pockets of opportunity, and reasons for declining enrollment

Mode of Missouri Scholarship – this team will observe opportunities for Missouri students and scholarship availabilities.

Mode of Leadership Development Institute - this team will observe and assess the Leadership Development Institute program and participants of the leadership program

https://www.jwcc.edu/about/board-of-trustees/board-agendas-minutes/#executive-committee