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THE OFFICIAL MINUTES

The Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees held a Special Board meeting Monday, December 5, at 11:30 a.m. in person.

Present: Anna Franz
  Gary Chandler
  Bethany Martinez


Legislators in attendance included 13th District Representative Tom Dent, 9th District Representative Joe Schmick, 9th District Senator Mark Schoesler, and 13th District Senator Judy Warnick.

President Thompson Tweedy discussed legislative priorities for the college including dual credit offerings. She shared the revised Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles along with student demographics. The local student population is expected to grow 50% in the near future. She focused on the Running Start enrollment and the post-secondary education data which directly relate to dual enrollment issues. The current strategic plan includes efforts to provide more students from outlying areas the opportunity to gain education through Big Bend Community College.

President Sara Thompson Tweedy shared the recent OSPI proposal which was developed without consulting with community colleges. There are proposal elements that may be very helpful; however, there are some areas that could be developed to provide improved outcomes for students. OSPI and community and technical colleges need to partner to enhance the proposal to be the best for students.

Dr. Bryce Humpherys discussed research around dual credit offerings. Representative Joe Schmick requested specific language needed to improve outcomes. OSPI Superintendent and SBCTC Executive Director need to discuss how to move forward to help students with soft and hard skills such as Moses Lake School District’s Vanguard Academy, which integrates learning across disciplines and students work collaboratively on projects. All dual-credit providers and stakeholders need to be invited to collaborate (K-12, CTCs, four-year universities, skill centers, etc).

The workforce shortage in this area could be partially remedied by improve dual-credit student outcomes. Our current workforce shortage shows us that we are doing something wrong. The majority of students from our service district attend community and technical colleges.

The meeting adjourned at 12:48 p.m.

 

Anna Franz, Chair

ATTEST:

 

Sara Thompson Tweedy, Secretary