Quincy Reporter

John Wood Community College Executive Committee met Oct. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Executive Committee met on October 13, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in room C252 Student Administrative Center, president’s area. Attendees were Mr. Bob Rhea (phone), Mr. Andy Sprague, Ms. Paula Hawley, (phone), trustees; Dr. Bryan Renfro, president, and Ms. Leah Benz, executive assistant, note taker.

October Board of Trustees Agenda items:

Consent Agenda

o Regular Board minutes, bills, travel expenditures, financials, and curriculum item

Grant

o No grants were presented for October.

Personnel

o No personnel items were discussed.

Business Agenda

o Business items on the October agenda were reviewed:

✓ Resolution & Certificate abating tax levied to pay debt service on General Obligation Refunding Bonds – This is an annual item that goes to the Board each October. This directs the County Clerks to abate the tax levied for the year 2023 to pay our debt service on the General Obligation Refunding bonds.

✓ Resolution regarding the intent to levy the equity adjustment for the 2023 -2024 tax year -Each year the Community College Board certifies the eligibility of districts to levy an equity txz. The tax rate of 5.83 cents is the amount stated in a letter for this year.

✓ Bid proposal award on WDC furniture –This item is a follow-up from the September meeting. Revised specifications were made. Henrickson & CO is the bid requesting for acceptance in the amount of $123,293.34.

✓ Insurance premium increase – This year’s insurance premium is requesting a 9.5% increase. Blue Cross Blue Shield would still be the provider. The Board requested additional data which was noted to be included in the October table folder.

✓ MOU to the Collective Bargaining Agreement pertaining to Board Policy 509 Benefit’s procedure. Normally procedures are not required by the Board to be approved but due to the financial implications all parties were asked to review and approved the noted revisions. It provides additional credit hours from seven (7) to nine ((9) per academic session on employee tuition waivers. It also states reimbursement for any lower-division undergraduate course must be for a course not offered by JWCC and must be required for a bachelor’s degree award. The procedure was discussed with faculty. This item addresses this item in the CBA.

✓ Protection. Health, Safety Project – This item was pulled from the October agenda and will be presented in November.

Discussion items

Board Retreat follow-up – Dr. Renfro shared he would be sharing a brief document of follow up items from the Monday, October 9 Board retreat on dual credit discussion. A group is being formed to address this item.

Board Christmas – The Board Christmas Board dinner for members and spouses will be held on December 11. Location and time still to be determined.

Inauguration - The inauguration of Dr. Bryan Renfro is scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2023, beginning at 3:30 p.m. located in the auditorium. Reception to follow in the courtyard.

FAME – This initiative is progressing. The logo has been approved. The group of businesses are collaborating together. Next steps are salary and wages.

Hospitality Management – Administration is exploring offer hospitality management. A meeting with interested parties has been scheduled. A possible instructor and curriculum have been identified.

Trellis Survey – This survey is to provide data on Student Financial Wellness. Our goal is to identify and prioritize support services from this data. Josh Welker is the liaison with this company. Survey is open to students beginning October 23; non-responders list is sent to the school October 31; a reminder is sent on November 1 to these non-responders; survey is closed November 13; and the school receives the reports from the survey in March. This information will also be used for grants, use a benchmark with peer schools and how to improve our challenging areas.

Science Lab Suite Renovation in Building A- The Science lab in building A has been discussed for renovation. Archeticnic was brought in to look at the lab. At this time, the plans are being reviewed and a recommendation being drawn up. In additional to the lab, the A building restrooms and front entrance of Student Administrative building renovations are being explored.

Cohort Default Rate Summary- Data was shared with the Executive Committee on this information. Student loans are now once again due since Covid.