New positions, new employees and resignations were among the issues discussed at a meeting Tuesday night of North Central Missouri College trustees, who also heard a follow-up report on 2006 career program graduates.
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Although the resignation of James Arnold, head women’s basketball coach, head baseball coach and assistant director of residence life, had already been announced, the board formally accepted his resignation during the meeting. Jenny Croy of Trenton, who has served as Arnold’s assistant, was hired to replace him as head coach of the women’s basketball team and to serve as a math instructor.
During a discussion of Mrs. Croy’s employment, board member Don Dalrymple asked for a comparison of Mrs. Croy’s salary and that of the men’s head coach, Steve Richman. Information provided by the board indicated that Mrs. Croy will be placed on the faculty salary schedule at B-9 and will be paid a coaching stipend of $3,790. NCMC President Dr. Neil Nuttall said the actual salaries are “equitable” and noted that Richman teaches 21 hours while Ms. Croy will teach 18, and Mrs. Croy has a masters degree while Richman does not. He said that Richman has been asked to begin working on his masters degree. While Mrs. Croy has a masters degree, it is in administration, rather than math. She has been asked to earn 18 hours in advanced math prior to being granted tenure. Richman is already tenured.
Dalrymple also expressed his concern about the need for additional math instructors, as well as the need to expand the social science area. Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr. Jamie Hooyman explained how math courses will be covered next year and Dr. Nuttall noted that as the new allied health building and Barton campus are completed and draw students to NCMC, additional faculty will be needed for math, science and supporting core class areas.
Board members accepted the resignation of Jackie Kent as student finances assistant and gave permission, following action taken in executive session, to fill that position as soon as possible and approve the hiring at the May meeting retroactively.
Two new positions were approved, including the position of Coordinator of Academic Support. This change will provide support to Dr. Hooyman and to Associate Dean of Vocational and Career Education Julie Hefley. The position will assist as dual credit/outreach coordinator and provide necessary support for other academic and career programs as needed. Board members gave permission for the position to be filled prior to the next meeting, if possible.
A new faculty position, career education counselor, was also approved by trustees. This position will counsel and advise students seeking career and technical education for the purpose of professional certification or an associate of applied science degree. The person hired will also work closely with high school and career guidance counselors to assist students in career decision-making and facilitate the transition of career program graduates into business/industry positions. The position is expected to be filled for the fall term.
In other personnel items, the board approved the employment of Elizabeth Jalbert of St. Joseph to fill the position of One Stop Manager of the Workforce Investment Board.
Dean of Student Services Joanna Anderson presented the 2006 Career Program Graduates Follow-up Summary, which involved a survey of the 142 career program graduates for the 2005-2006 academic year. A total of 38 surveys (27 percent) were returned, with data for the remaining graduates obtained through telephone interviews for a 92 percent follow-up achieved.
According to the summary provided, 97 (68 percent) of the 142 graduates were employed 180 days after graduation, with another 37 graduates (26 percent) continuing their education. Combined, these 134 individuals account for a total placement rate of 94 percent. Of the remaining 6 percent, six individuals were unknown and two were unemployed. Of those employed, 61 percent were working in an area related to their career program, with all students who were continuing their education reporting that they are pursuing a major related to their NCMC degree.
Dr. Nuttall updated the board on the MOHELA legislation and also told board members that work has begun on a new funding formula that would possibly be in effect by 2010. He noted that the formula could be more generous to community colleges than in previous years and said he would like to see one formula for two year colleges and one for four-year colleges. He also noted that performance indicators may be included.
Dr. Nuttall said work continues with the city of Trenton on planning for electricity and water to the new allied health building, noting that NCMC’s Randy Young and Trenton Municipal Utilities Director Chad Davis are being proactive on it.
Board members were told that staff in the Administrative, Professional, Management area will be asked as part of their evaluation process to set five goals for the year. Dr. Nuttall said he will be setting five goals as well and would like board input to see if there are any “common threads” that could be incorporated into his goals.
The board heard a report on the AEL/PDC program by Director Jamie Preul, who said the program has six full-time staff members, including herself. They are located in Kirksville, Columbia, Troy (two), Clinton and Camden Point. She told board members that 980 teachers of adults have been served since September, which is three times more than had been served at this point last year. She said the program will be training 1,200 teachers to use new testing and grading system and will be conducting 50 workshops over the summer on the new content standards.
In other business, the board:
• approved the purchase of computing hardware from GHA Technologies of Chandler, AZ at a cost of $37,531.63 and the purchase of Campus Manager (a wireless security appliance) from Professional Network Solutions of Chesterfield at a cost of $24,296.
• held the first reading of a board policy change that clarifies the policy on senior citizen tuition waivers. The new policy states that any Missouri resident who is at least 65 years of age may enroll in an available course during the final add/drop period for the term and receive a tuition waiver. The waiver does not include out-of-district courses, on-line courses, courses by arrangement, seminars, non-credit courses or community service courses. Student development fees, facility fees, lab fees and any other associated costs will be paid by the senior citizen. Standard registration policies and procedures do apply. The change will be discussed again and presented for approval at the May meeting.
• approved a Head Start supplemental grant application in the amount of $26,063 with an additional $6,516 in non-federal sources. The funding would allow minimally a 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase for all Head Start employees, which is a requirement of the grant application.
• heard a report from Dr. Nuttall on emergency preparedness in light of the shootings at Virginia Tech. He said that the focus has so far been on severe weather preparedness, but that the crisis management team will be reconvened to look at several areas in order to have a plan in place by fall.
• set a spring board retreat for 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, with the location to be announced at a later date.
• heard a report from Mrs. Anderson on the brand marketing development process and a report on the Phi Theta Kappa Chapter, which has earned the Distinguished Chapter Award and Service Hallmark at the National PTK Convention
• learned from Dean of Instruction Dr. James Gardener on the college receiving the Program of the Year Award from the National Tutoring Association.
• heard a report from Chief Fiscal Officer Sharon Barnett on the budget, which is expected to be brought to the June meeting for approval and possible policy manual changes that may be necessary for the Head Start program. She also recognized students and faculty who have been involved in cleanup efforts on campus this week as part of the city-wide cleanup.
• heard an update from Director of Development Steve Maxey on the Invest in the Vision Campaign and recognized a gift from the Bill Barton Family of $10,000 in his memory. He said a meeting this morning with the campaign committee would include a plan of action for Phase II of the campaign.
• held an executive session in which they accepted the resignation of Kendra Wolgast, director of the Upward Bound Program. She is leaving to accept a position in Shippensberg University in Pennsylvania.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22.