KCTC Board of Regents
Minutes
Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Board of Regents Meeting
March 23-24, 2023
Members Present:
- Ms. Brittanie Bogard
- Ms. Karen Finan
- Dr. Wendy Fletcher
- Mr. Chris Girdler
- Ms. Kimberly Greene
- Mr. Joseph Heerdink
- Dr. Patsy Jackson
- Mr. Barry Martin
- Ms. Kelly Rabinowitz
- Mr. Richard Smith
- Mr. James Lee Stevens
- Mrs. Brianna Whitten
Members Absent:
• Mr. Russell Cox (Absent on Thursday, Present on Friday)
CALL TO ORDER, MARCH 23, 2023, DAY1:
KCTCS Board of Regents Chair James Lee Stevens called to order the meeting of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Board of Regents at 1:37 p.m. (ET) on March 23, 2023. The meeting was held at the Newtown Campus of Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky. The press was notified of the meeting on March 16, 2023. Hon. Pamela Duncan, KCTCS General Counsel, served as parliamentarian.
Chair Stevens asked Ms. Duncan to call the roll.
There being a quorum present, the meeting began.
OPEN COMMENT PERIOD:
Chair Stevens noted that the Board of Regents is holding a 20-minute public comment period at each meeting. Each individual seeking public comment would need to be physically present, they must register with the Board Liaison, and indicate the topic they want to speak about. Only 7 people are permitted to speak, and they will be limited to 3 minutes per person. Chair Stevens noted that no one had signed up to speak.
Chair Stevens moved to the next agenda item.
COLLEGE PRESENTATION:
Chair Stevens introduced Bluegrass Community and Technical College President Koffi Akakpo who asked Ms. Lisa Bell to give a brief presentation about Bluegrass Community and Technical College to the Board.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Chair Stevens asked if there were any corrections to the December 1-2, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes. There being none, the minutes were declared approved as presented.
Chair Stevens shared with the Board that a slight change to the agenda. He noted that some of the agenda items from Day 2 have been moved to Day 1. The reason for that is so Acting KCTCS President Ferguson could share with the Board information in his President’s Report and that information was to group items of relevance more closely together. If none of the Board has any objections, then the agenda can proceed. None of the Board had any objection.
CHAIRS REPORT
Chair Stevens shared that the KCTCS Board of Regents have received updates each month from Huron on the project they are conducting. He thanked the Board members for being engaged and collaborative and thoughtful in their work. He noted that there is a lot going on in the System, but he feels that the System is moving in the right direction.
Chair Stevens thanked Acting KCTCS President Ferguson for stepping in as Acting President and has done an outstanding job.
Chairs Stevens called for discussion, there being none, he moved to the next item on the agenda.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Chair Stevens asked Acting KCTCS President Ferguson to give his presentation to the Board.
Acting KCTCS President Ferguson introduced the College Presidents in attendance. Dr. Castle, Dr. Handy, Dr. Figueroa, Dr. Pate, Dr. Neal, and Dr. Lindon. He then presented the 2023 Legislative Update and specifically shared information on Senate Joint Resolution 98.
Acting KCTCS President Ferguson gave an overview to the Board on his observations since taking over as Acting President. He shared that he is working on System Office Reorganization Analysis, Hiring, and the many initiatives that are in process. He then presented an overview of information found while preparing budget scenarios. He shared that the KCTCS System Office had a fund balance of 75 million dollars funded through college recharges.
After Acting KCTCS President Ferguson’s presentation, the Board asked Chair Stevens to go into Executive Session.
CLOSED SESSION
Regent Heerdink moved, and Regent Martin seconded, that the KCTCS Board of Regents enter closed session pursuant to KRS 61.8210(1)(c) and/or KRS 61.810(1)(f) at 2:15 p.m.
Chair Stevens called for the vote. Ms. Duncan conducted the vote.
The motion was approved unanimously.
OPEN SESSION
Regent Smith made the motion, and Regent Whitten seconded, that the KCTCS Board of Regents reconvene in open session at 4:16 p.m.
Chair Stevens called for the vote. Ms. Duncan conducted the vote.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Chair Stevens announced that the KCTCS Board of Regents had one Action item to bring forward.
Regent Fletcher made a motion and Regent Heerdink seconded it to ask the Kentucky State Auditor to conduct an audit of KCTCS.
Chair Stevens called for the vote. Ms. Duncan conducted the vote.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Chair Stevens moved to the next item on the agenda.
UPDATE: KCTCS BOARD OF REGENTS AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING
Chair Stevens asked Interim KCTCS Vice President Mr. Buddy Combs to give a brief summary from the March 13, 2023, KCTCS Audit Committee Meeting.
Chair Stevens called for discussion, there being none, he moved to the next agenda item.
ACTION – KCTCS ASSET PRESERVATION CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Recommendation:
The KCTCS Board of Regents approve the interim project of $1,500,000 for the upgrade of mechanical equipment and building controls at Henderson Community College.
Recommendation:
The KCTCS Board of Regents approve the scope increase of $7,500,000 for the construction of a Parking Garage at Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC).
Recommendation:
The KCTCS Board of Regents approve the interim project of $5,000,000 for the expansion of the Administration Building at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) Newtown Campus.
Chair Stevens asked Interim KCTCS Vice President Combs to present these agenda item. Mr. Combs introduced KCTCS Assistant Vice President Andy Casebier who assisted with the presentation. Mr. Casebier presented a PowerPoint presentation to the Board on each project. After the presentation he asked if there were any questions.
Chair Stevens called for the motions and General Counsel Duncan did all of the agenda items in one motion and conducted the vote with each Board member for each project.
MOTION: Regent Heerdink moved, and Regent Martin seconded that the KCTCS Board of Regents approve the three projects presented to the Board in the agenda materials.
Chair Stevens called for the vote. Ms. Duncan conducted the vote.
The motions were approved unanimously.
Chair Stevens moved to the next agenda item.
ACTION: KCTCS BOARD OF REGENTS REQUIRED RESERVES
Recommendation:
That the KCTCS Board of Regents approve a 3 percent – 5 percent budget reserve of State Appropriation and Tuition and Fees less System wide contracts. The KCTCS College Business Officers and the KCTCS System Office Financial Support Services support this recommendation.
It would require the KCTCS Board of Regents to approve the budget reserve rate each March Board of Regents Meeting. The KCTCS President is ultimately responsible for the specific use of board required reserves.
Chair Stevens asked Acting KCTCS President Ferguson and Interim Vice President Combs to present this agenda item. It was noted that this agenda item was an information item at the December 2022 Board meeting. Mr. Combs shared that the KCTCS College Business Officers and the KCTCS System Office Financial Support Services support this recommendation of 3 percent. After the presentation, the Board decided to vote for a 3 percent budget reserve.
Chair Stevens called for a motion.
Regent Fletcher moved, and Regent Girdler seconded that the KCTCS Board of Regents approve a 3 percent budget reserve of State Appropriation and Tuition and Fees less System wide contracts.
Chair Stevens called for the vote. Ms. Duncan conducted the vote.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Chair Stevens moved to the next agenda item.
ACTION: RATIFICATION OF OPEB TRUST ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE DECISIONS
Recommendation:
The KCTCS Board of Regents ratify the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Administrative Committee Decisions.
Chair Stevens asked Acting KCTCS President Ferguson and Interim Vice President Combs to present this agenda item. Mr. Combs shared the recommendations that came out of the Administrative Committee. He noted that dependent premiums and coverage retirees; under 65 years of age. Effective FY24 the OPEB Trust will provide single coverage as defined in each State offered plan coverage. Retirees under 65 may opt for dependent health insurance coverage, but the OPEB Trust will provide single coverage premium only. The employee, not the Trust, will be responsible for the difference between single coverage premiums and the premiums for dependent coverage. The Committee has developed a communication to the 40 employees that are currently receiving the additional coverage that will take place during FY24 open enrollment.
Mr. Combs shared that KCTCS currently enrolls thirty-nine (39) OPEB Trust retirees who opted for dependent coverage. The OPEB Trust committee will notify these individuals by August of 2023, so they may begin to review other options.
Mr. Combs noted that KCTCS will submit an RFP intended to solicit bids from other insurance companies to evaluate options available to KCTCS to ensure the Trust appropriately provides insurance benefits while preserving the Trust’s corpus.
Chair Stevens called for discussion.
During discussion, Regents asked if KCTCS is under any liability if they remove the 39 dependents from coverage. Ms. Duncan shared they would not, as the trust was written for coverage of the retired employee only.
Chair Stevens called for additional discussion. There being none, Chair Stevens called for the vote.
Regent Martin made the motion and Regent Smith seconded that the KCTCS Board of Regents ratify the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Administrative Committee Decisions.
Ms. Duncan conducted the vote.
The motion was approved by majority vote.
Chair Stevens moved to the next agenda item.
Chair Stevens called for discussion, there being none, he moved to adjourn the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Regent Whitten made the motion and Regent Rabinowitz seconded that the remainder of Day One Agenda Items be moved to Friday for discussion and that the meeting adjourn.
Chair Stevens asked Ms. Duncan to conduct the roll call vote.
The motion was approved unanimously, and the Board adjourned at 4:41 p.m. (ET).
CALL TO ORDER, MARCH 24, 2023, DAY 2:
KCTCS Board of Regents Chair James Lee Stevens called to order the meeting of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Board of Regents at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on March 24, 2023. The meeting was held at the Newtown Campus of Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington, Kentucky. The press was notified of the meeting on March 16, 2023. Hon. Pamela Duncan, KCTCS General Counsel, served as parliamentarian.
Chair Stevens asked Ms. Duncan to call the roll.
There being a quorum present, the meeting began.
ORGANIZATION SUCCESS AGENDA ITEMS
ACTION: PERSONNEL ACTIONS
RECOMMENDATION: That the KCTCS Board of Regents ratify the personnel actions listed in the agenda materials.
Chair Stevens asked Acting KCTCS President Ferguson to introduce KCTCS Vice President Lin Hillis to present this agenda item. She noted that the personnel actions presented were in accordance with reporting guidelines and policies adopted by the KCTCS Board of Regents.
Chair Stevens called for discussion. There being none, he called for the motion.
MOTION: Regent Jackson moved, and Regent Smith seconded, that the KCTCS Board of Regents ratify the personnel actions listed in the agenda materials.
Chair Stevens called for the vote. Ms. Duncan conducted the vote.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Chair Stevens moved to the next item on the agenda.
UPDATE: FINANCE REPORT
Chair Stevens asked Acting KCTCS President Ferguson and Interim Vice President Combs to provide a presentation to the Board. Mr. Combs noted that the Statement of Current Funds Revenues and Expenses reflects actual program and operational expenditures compared to the 2022 budget approved by the KCTCS Board of Regents, June 10, 2022. This report reflects total revenues and appropriated fund balances of $499,482,000 or 61 percent of the budgeted revenue and appropriated funds. Statement of Current Funds Revenues and Expenses also reflects current fund expenses and budget reserve of $411,234,000 or 43 percent of the expenses budgeted for the year.
The Statements of Net Position reflects the overall financial position of the System and includes assets, deferred outflows, liabilities, deferred inflows, and net position. KCTCS’s net position remains a strong $1,066,134 as of December 31, 2022.
Chair Stevens called for discussion. There being none, he moved to the next agenda item.
INFORMATION: BUDGET SCENARIOS
Chair Stevens asked Acting KCTCS President Ferguson and Interim Vice President Combs to present this agenda item.
Interim Vice President Combs discussed the information in the agenda item to establish the KCTCS Board of Regents budget priorities for 2023-24. Mr. Combs discussed the two revenue sources which are state appropriations and tuition. In another agenda item Mr. Combs will present a proposed tuition increase.
Mr. Combs noted that there are several fixed costs that the Board will need to consider in their budget priorities. Employee Benefits, Employee Compensation, Utilities, and Maintenance. He asked for the Board to review the agenda item materials to prepare for the budget preparation.
Chair Stevens called for discussion. There being none, he moved to the next agenda item.
INFORMATION: 2023-24 KCTCS TUITION
Chair Stevens asked Interim Vice President Combs to present this agenda item.
Interim Vice President Combs noted that in addition to the state appropriation, the other primary source of revenue of the KCTCS operating budget is tuition revenue. Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) staff recommended to its CPE Board a maximum based rate increase of no more than $7.00 per student credit hour over two years (i.e., a 3.85
percent total increase over two years) and a maximum based rate increase of no more than $4.00 per student credit hour in any one year (i.e., a 2.20 percent increase in any one year) for 2023-24 for in-state students for KCTCS.
Mr. Combs shared that the KCTCS deadline for submitting the tuition and fee rate proposals to CPE is May 19, 2023. CPE Finance Committee will present campus tuition and mandatory fee rate proposals for committee review and action. On Jun 9, 2023, CPE will present campus 2023-24 tuition and fee rate proposals for action.
Chair Stevens called for discussion. Regents asked Mr. Combs to gather additional information for them to review before a decision can be made.
Chair Stevens called for additional discussion. There being none, he moved to the next agenda item.
INFORMATION: KCTCS STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-26 COLLEGE KPI TARGETS
Chair Stevens asked KCTCS Vice Chancellor Alicia Crouch to present this agenda item. Ms. Crouch noted that the KCTCS Board of Regents is periodically informed on progress and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the KCTCS Strategic Plan 2022-2026. Ms. Crouch presented a PowerPoint presentation to the Board discussing the KPI Targets. Ms. Crouch shared the link to the public-facing Strategic Plan dashboard 2022-26 KCTCS Strategic Plan Dashboard | Tableau Public with the KCTCS Board of Regents and walked them through a brief instruction on how to use it.
Chair Stevens called for discussion. There being none, he moved to the next agenda item.
INFORMATION: KCTCS BOARD OF REGENTS 2024 REGULAR MEETING CALENDAR
Chair Stevens asked KCTCS Board Liaison Hannah Rivera to present this agenda item. Ms. Rivera noted that the following 2024 meeting dates are proposed. March 21-22, 2024; June 13-14, 2024; September 19-20, 2024; and December 5-6, 2024, are the dates being considered. She asked the Board to review their calendars and let staff know by April 28, 2023, whether their schedules permit attendance on the proposed 2024 meeting dates. The KCTCS Board of Regents will adopt its 2024 regular meeting calendar at its June 15-16, 2024, meeting.
Chair Stevens called for discussion. There being none, he moved to the next agenda item.
UPDATE: TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS REPORT
Chair Stevens asked KCTCS Vice President Chris Howes to present this agenda item. Dr. Howes gave a summary of the report provided to the Board of Regents in OnBoard. He asked if the Board had any questions. Hearing none, he concluded his report.
Chair Stevens called for additional discussion, there being none he called for a recess.
RECESS – The Board took a recess at 10:20 a.m. (ET) and reconvened at 10:31 a.m. (ET)
HURON PROJECT UPDATE:
Chair Stevens asked KCTCS General Counsel Duncan to present this agenda item. Ms. Duncan provided a summary of the project and discussion topics that will be carried out throughout the System.
Ms. Duncan called for discussion. There being none, she asked Chair Stevens to move to the next agenda item.
UPDATE: EMPLOYER SUCCESS REPORT
Chair Stevens asked Workforce and Economic Development Vice President Jessie Schook to provide a presentation to the Board. Ms. Schook provided a PowerPoint presentation on Workforce and Economic Development Updates.
Vice President Schook shared the updated TRAINS funding dashboard with the Board and gave details on how TRAINS funding is distributed and that KCTCS will be asking for more funding. During her presentation, she provided updates about the new program, Education First Employers, Handshake, and the Employer Asset Map.
Chair Stevens called for discussion.
During the discussion, the Board asked Vice President Schook to bring forward a Handshake student success story.
Chair Stevens called for additional discussion. There being none, he moved to the next agenda item.
UPDATE: LEARNER SUCCESS REPORT
Chair Stevens asked KCTCS Chancellor Kris Williams to provide a presentation to the Board. Chancellor Williams provided a PowerPoint presentation on Certificate and Program Approvals, ORPA Online Learning Report, Online Course Quality Assurance Pilot and Date, and highlights from the Chancellor’s area.
KCTCS System Director for Distance Learning Leah Simpson assisted Chancellor Williams with the Online Course Quality Assurance Assessment Report.
Chair Stephens called for discussion. During discussion, the Regents asked for continued updates for the Online Course Quality Assurance Assessment. Chancellor Williams noted that she would present an update at the June Board meeting.
Chancellor Williams had one Action item to bring before the Board.
Action: KCTCS Colleges’ Candidates for Credentials
RECOMMENDATION: The KCTCS Board of Regents approve the awarding of KCTCS colleges’ candidates for degrees and diplomas and ratify certificates as presented in the supplemental booklet, KCTCS Candidates for Credentials October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022, with the credentials (degrees, diplomas, and certificates) to be awarded to the candidates upon certification that the requirements have been satisfactorily completed.
Chair Stevens called for the motion.
MOTION: Regent Whitten moved, and Regent Greene seconded, that the KCTCS Board of Regents approve the awarding of KCTCS colleges’ candidates for degrees and diplomas and ratify certificates as presented in the supplemental booklet, KCTCS Candidates for Credentials July 16 – January 5, 2023, with the credentials (degrees, diplomas, and certificates) to be awarded to the candidates upon certification that the requirements have been satisfactorily completed.
Chair Stevens called for the vote and asked Ms. Duncan to conduct the roll call vote.
VOTE: The motion was approved unanimously.
Chair Stevens called for additional discussion, there being none, he asked the Board to go into Executive Session.
CLOSED SESSION
Regent Jackson moved, and Regent Martin seconded, that the KCTCS Board of Regents enter closed session pursuant to KRS 61.8210(1)(c) and/or KRS 61.810(1)(f) at 12:19 p.m.
Chair Stevens called for the vote. Ms. Duncan conducted the vote.
The motion was approved unanimously.
OPEN SESSION
Regent Smith made the motion, and Regent Rabinowitz seconded, that the KCTCS Board of Regents reconvene in open session at 2:16 p.m.
Chair Stevens called for the vote. Ms. Duncan conducted the vote.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Ms. Duncan noted that Regent Finan had to leave during the Executive Session.
Chair Stevens announced that the KCTCS Board of Regents took no Action during closed session but has three Action items to bring forward.
ACTION: STUDENT APPEAL OF SUSPENSION
Recommendation: That the KCTCS Board of Regents ratify the recommendation of the Student Appeal Panel regarding a student’s appeal of their suspension from Jefferson Community and Technical College.
Chair Stevens called for the motion.
MOTION: Regent Whitten moved, and Regent Fletcher seconded, that the KCTCS Board of Regents ratify the recommendation of the Student Appeal Panel regarding a student’s appeal of their suspension from Jefferson Community and Technical College.
Chair Stevens called for the vote and asked Ms. Duncan to conduct the roll call vote.
VOTE: The motion was approved unanimously.
Chair Stevens called for additional discussion, there being none, he moved to the next Action Agenda Item.
ACTION: FORMER KCTCS PRESIDENT PAUL CZARAPATA RESIGNATION RATIFICATION
Recommendation: That the KCTCS Board of Regents ratify the resignation of former KCTCS President Paul Czarapata.
Chair Stevens called for the motion.
MOTION: Regent Martin moved, and Chair Stevens seconded that the KCTCS Board of Regents ratify the resignation of former KCTCS President Paul Czarapata.
Chair Stevens called for the vote and asked Ms. Duncan to conduct the roll call vote.
VOTE: The motion was approved unanimously.
Chair Stevens called for additional discussion, there being none, he moved to the next Action Agenda Item.
ACTION: KCTCS ACTING PRESIDENT LARRY FERGUSON APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION RATIFICATION
Recommendation: The KCTCS Board of Regents ratify the appointment and compensation of Dr. Larry Ferguson, Acting President.
Chair Stevens called for the motion.
MOTION: Regent Fletcher moved, and Regent Smith seconded that the KCTCS Board of Regents ratify the appointment of Dr. Larry Ferguson as Acting President of KCTCS and that the compensation previously approved be maintained for the period of his appointment, including additional reimbursement for housing commensurate with the Board’s determination that Dr. Ferguson must be present in Versailles up to 3 to 6 days per week.
Chair Stevens called for the vote and asked Ms. Duncan to conduct the roll call vote.
VOTE: The motion was approved unanimously.
Chair Stevens called for additional discussion, there being none, he moved to the last Action Item.
Chair Stevens called for the motion.
MOTION: Regent Fletcher moved, and Regent Martin seconded that the KCTCS Board of Regents commence a national search for the permanent President of KCTCS immediately and direct staff as appropriate to find search firms to assist with locating a candidate.
Chair Stevens called for the vote and asked Ms. Duncan to conduct the roll call vote.
VOTE: The motion was approved unanimously. Regent Fletcher asked to explain her vote. Regent Fletcher asked that there be a long enough pause to get the right candidate.
Chair Stevens called for additional discussion, there being none he moved to announce the next meeting.
Next Meeting:
Chair Stevens announced that the next regular meeting of the KCTCS Board of Regents is scheduled for June 15-16, 2023, at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Lexington, Kentucky.
Adjournment:
Regent Fletcher moved that the meeting adjourn. Regent Martin seconded the motion.
Chair Stevens asked Ms. Duncan to conduct the roll call vote.
The motion was approved unanimously, and the Board adjourned at 2:24 p.m. (ET).
_06/15/2023_____________ Date Approved by the KCTCS Board of Regents
____________________________________ James Lee Stevens, Chair KCTCS Board of Regents
_____________________________________ Wendy Fletcher, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Secretary
KCTCS Board of Regents
_____________________________________ Larry Ferguson, Ph.D. Acting KCTCS President
