THE OFFICIAL MINUTES (6-6-24)
The Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees held a Regular Board meeting Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in person.
Present: Gary Chandler, Anna Franz, Bethany Martinez, Amy Parris, Juanita Richards
2. Mission Moments
Board Chair Gary Chandler announced the names of employees who have earned awards
this year. Workforce Education Services led by Director Yolanda Ibarra earned the
NWCCU Beacon Award for Excellence in Student Achievement & Success. Dr. Tyler Wallace
earned the ACT Faculty Member Award. Director of BEdA Jody Bortz earned the ACT Professional
Staff Member Award. Faculty member David Mayhugh was voted by students as the Outstanding
Full Time Faculty member. BASM Instructor Alexia Lawrence was voted Outstanding Part
Time Faculty member by students. BASM Staff Niki Allinson was voted Outstanding Staff
Member by students. Instructors Ryan Duvall, Kaja Englund, and Dr. Steve Ausere received
Exceptional Faculty Awards. Retirees Ted Mata, Tom Willingham, and Kim Jackson will
be celebrated tomorrow during the campus celebration luncheon.
3. Public comment
There was no public comment.
4. Consent Agenda
Motion 24-20 Trustee Amy Parris moved to approve the consent agenda. Trustee Anna Franz seconded,
and the motion passed.
5. Faculty Updates
Faculty Association President Dr. Tyler Wallace shared faculty news. IST Instructor
Justin Henley helped the Mechatronics Club host a booth at the ASB carnival. Instructor
Henley also shared that two IST students just accepted jobs/internships at Boeing.
Criminal Justice Instructor Kaja Englund participated in a fingerprinting lab. Computer
Science Instructor Michell Valdivia and students met with Microsoft to discuss opportunities.
ECE Instructor Michele Reeves shared with Dr. Wallace that ECE classes will be taught
in Spanish in Mattawa, Royal City, and Othello. Biology Instructor Christy Welch has
been taking her students on botany field trips. Agriculture Instructor Aaron Mahoney’s
students visited irrigation districts, hosted a plant sale, and enjoyed visitors from
Uzbekistan.
High School Completion/BEdA Instructor Melissa Heaps shared about her class. She leverages her course to include art, history, and English. They held their first annual BEdA Art Show in the fall. Students are joining college classes such as Instructor Dustin Regul’s art class to help them transition to college credit classes. Instructor Heaps shared the students’ artwork and poetry.
Computer Science Instructor Michelle Valdivia shared about the computer science classes. Students will present during STEMposium featuring a posters. Students are working on projects and learning project management while they prepare for STEMposium. The class also met with Microsoft and discussed organizational changes. Hoping for internship opportunities for the IT students. Microsoft has opened their scholarships to fund additional costs such as fuel and daycare.
6. ASB Updates
ASB President Ty Tait shared about ASB and collaboration with administration. Student
Recognition Night was very rewarding for attendees. Carnival was held last week for
students and their families attended. Many administrators and others participated
in the dunk tank. Destress events were held in the lounge and today and ASB also hosted
an HSI event. Students are excited about graduation next Friday. Director of Student
Programs Sidney Dickerson introduced 2024-25 ASB Officers Juan Herrera and Judah Tadema.
8. Sabbatical Presentation
Dr. Dennis Knepp shared about his Sabbatical experience. He talked about the writing
process and how he used new resources such as digital archives to write “Consider
Two Audiences for ‘The Fixation of Belief’” submitted to the Transactions of the Charles
S. Peirce Society.
7. President’s Update
President Tweedy shared the names of new employees and positions that are open and
reviewed the tuition collection report which is on track to meet the budget. She also
shared employee recruitment efforts.
President Tweedy announced that she awarded Offset Printer Operator Ted Mata with the Presidential Award for Meritorious Service; he retires June 30.
Dr. Tweedy announced that Big Bend is collaborating with Wenatchee Valley College on a BAS on Behavioral Health Specific in response to workforce need. UW has built the curriculum to achieve the credential as identified by SSB 5189. The SBCTC has approved the initial Statement of Need that was submitted in May of 2024. There are additional steps to pursue. Big Bend and WVC are working with Thriving Together for additional funding to develop the degree. Each college has their own classes, both online and clinical instruction, and will share some instruction.
Dr. Tweedy shared details from the recent PACE Survey results including the highest and lowest rated areas.
Highest: My supervisor/chair expresses confidence in my work, 4.377. I feel my job is relevant to this institution’s mission, 4.359. My supervisor/chair is open to the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of everyone, 4.133. Student diversity is important at this institution, 4.034. I have the opportunity to express my ideas to my supervisor/chair in appropriate forums, 4.023.
Lowest: I am given the opportunity to be creative in my work, 4.017. There is a spirit of cooperation within my work team, 4.011. My supervisor/chair seriously considers my ideas, 3.955. My primary work team uses problemsolving techniques, 3.937. Staff (non instructional, non-administrator) meet the needs of students, 3.922.
Lastly, Dr. Tweedy shared that there will be a record number of graduates (593) on June 14.
Board Chair Gary Chandler announced a 15-minute Executive Session at 2:30 p.m. to discuss items provided for in RCW 42.30.110 (1): (g) to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. The session was extended by 5 minutes and then extended for an additional 5 minutes. The meeting reconvened at 2:55 p.m. No actions were taken during the executive session.
9. 2024-25 Operating Budget
VP Linda Schoonmaker stated there is a large increase in budget provisos that mandate
how the funding can be spent. Presidents are advocating to receive funding that is
not a proviso and can be spent on the individual colleges’ priorities. $16 million
is allocated in state funding with a few amounts in reserves that have not been distributed
yet by the SBCTC. Reserve money was not spent in 2023-24 2022-23 and as we wrap up
23-24 we also aren’t expecting to use any. If all expenses noted are spent, we will
need to pull out $1.6 million from the reserves which total about $8 million. There
may be salary savings when people leave if positions are not filled immediately. Reserves
are for rainy days and leadership is making investments in personnel to make a positive
difference for employees and reduce turnover. Personnel costs are $21 million including
benefits. Trustee Chandler expressed concerns about spending reserve funding. Our
enrollment may continue to grow which will help.
Motion 24-21 Trustee Anna Franz moved to approve the 2024-25 operating budget. Trustee Bethany Martinez seconded, and the motion passed.
10. 2023-24 Mission Fulfillment Report
The Mission Fulfillment Report is an evaluation of the previous year and how Big Bend
Community College has met our priorities. The Vice Presidents Kim Garza, Bryce Humpherys,
and Linda Schoonmaker each presented their portions of the Mission Fulfillment Report.
Dr. Tweedy discussed the color-coded scorecard.
11. BP6101 Tuition & Fee Waivers
Motion 24-22 Trustee Anna Franz moved to approve revisions with corrections BP 6101 Tuition & Fee Waivers. Trustee Juanita Richards seconded, and the motion passed.
12. Employee Recognition
Ted Mata, Offset Printer Operator received the Presidential Award for Meritorious
Service.
Motion 24-23 Trustee Anna Franz moved to award Emeritus status to retired Director of Student Program Kim Jackson. Trustee Bethany Martinez seconded, and the motion passed.
13. Board Chair Rotation
The board reviewed the board chair rotation schedule with Trustee Amy Parris moving
to Board Chair in October.
14. 2023-24 Board Goals
The Board goals for the 2023-2024 academic year are as follows:
1. Develop a clear method of monitoring Big Bend Community College’s Ends Statements including the identification of indicators which measure the performance of the institution relative to the Ends.
2. Advance equity, diversity, and inclusion by reviewing policies to ensure support of operational equity, diversity, and inclusion programs.
3. Establish an annual calendar of board study session topics to ensure professional development of Board members.
The trustees discussed sub-committee membership. Chairs of committees will convene with their members and bring information to the board retreat in August.
Trustee Gary Chandler and Juanita Richards to discuss their goal. Trustee Anna Franz and Gary Chandler need to review the indicators and schedule a meeting with the president about indicators available.
Trustee Amy Parris will have more information about how to review policies for sharing at the retreat in August.
15. Board Retreat Planning
16. Assessment of Board Activity
Trustees submitted their activities in writing which included tenure review activities.
17. Big Bend in the Community
Board Chair Gary Chandler met with college leaders to discuss holding meetings in
the service district communities. The meetings will provide opportunities to interact
with legislators and community members together and continue to grow partnerships.
This event planning is in process.
18. Next Meeting
The next meeting was confirmed for the board retreat on August 29.
Discussed possible special meeting dates of July 22-25 to take action on the revised
Student Code of Conduct and the Negotiated Agreement.
19. Miscellaneous
Adjournment 3:30 p.m.