Board Meetings

    KCTCS Board of Regents

    Meeting Minutes
    October 31, 2024, 1:00 p.m. EST
    KCTCS System Office
    Versailles, KY

    1. Call to Order

      Chair Martin called the special called meeting to order on October 31, 2024 at 1:03 p.m. EST.

    2. ROLL CALL

      Attendance

      Chair Barry Martin (Present)

      Vice Chair Keith Hamilton (Absent)

      Secretary Brianna Whitten (Present)

      Mr. Rusell Cox (Absent)

      Mr. Christopher Girdler (Present)

      Ms. Ryan Hall (Present)

      Mr. Robert Higdon (Present)

      Ms. Tiffany Kelly-Jenkins (Present)

      Ms. Candace McGraw (Present)

      Ms. Raeanne Powers (Present)

      Ms. Kelly Rabinowitz (Present)

      Ms. Audra Shouse (Present)

      Mr. James Lee Stevens (Present)

      Mr. Marty Sutherland (Present)

    3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
      Regent McGraw made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 19-20, 2024, Board of Regents meeting. Regent Sutherland seconded the motion. The motion passed by consensus.
    4. INCREASE ORGANIZATION SUCCESS
      1. Updates: SJR 179 Work Team Progress
        Presenter: Dr. Ryan Quarles, KCTCS President
        1. Governance and Organizational Structure
          1. Dr. Scott Williams reviewed the scope of work of this group and the research and considerations that have been conducted. This group has done extensive benchmarking by looking at other states & systems and the national higher education landscape. Dr. Williams reviewed the recommendation for creating a decision matrix to most effectively and efficiently determine the appropriate alignment of KCTCS’s geographic footprint. This reflected the recommendation to not pursue any consolidations or mergers at this time. Dr. Williams reviewed the research that informed this recommendation.
          2. Dr. Scott Williams reviewed the recommendation for the governance reform including the Board of Regents representation and the adoption of a board structure that includes the inclusion of industry sectors. The work team also recommends that the Board ensure geographic representation by requiring at least one member from each of the seven judicial districts of the Kentucky Supreme Court District. The work group recommends a board size of 11 members and setting term limits for regents. Additionally, the work group recommends renaming the local board to the College Board of Advisors.
          3. The Regents engaged in a discussion and asked Dr. Williams questions regarding the recommendations.
        2. Academic Programming Optimization
          1. Dr. Juston Pate reviewed the scope of work of this team and shared the research and considerations that resulted in the recommendations presented to the Board. The work team is recommending improving the structure and uses of Program Advisory Committees, leveraging Meta Majors to strengthen AA and AS pathways, and supporting third-party validation of academic program quality.

            The Board took a recess at 2:24 p.m. EST and resumed at 2:32 p.m. EST. 
        3. Student Pathways
          1. Dr. Fernando Figuero presented information related to student pathways and the recommendations from this work team. This work team identified four workforce commitments: 1) lead robust collaboration; 2) support and sustain economic development; 3) advance labor market responsive programs & initiatives; and 4) elevate visibility and support for career pathways.
          2. The recommendations from this work team include being the sole provider of dual credit and establishing common course numbering for all public Kentucky institutions for 100- and 200- level courses.
        4. Affordability
          1. Dr. Phil Neal presented information and recommendations related to the work of the affordability team. The work team reviewed the KCTCS funding model and its adequacy and tuition rates. The recommendation regarding funding adequacy is KCTCS’s state appropriation should be at, or above, the average funding rate among the benchmark comparator states.
          2. Dr. Neal shared data collected by the work team and how that information led to the development of the recommendation on the funding model for KCTCS. This work team recommends that if, the Kentucky Legislature determines it will adopt the first recommendation, it is then recommended that a modern 100% outcomes-based funding model should be created for KCTCS based on design and implementation elements within the SJR report.
          3. The third recommendation is to expand the credential eligibility and funding for the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship program. This work team also reviewed the affordability of tuition and determined that KCTCS is more affordable than the national average.
          4. The fourth recommendation considered the size of the System Office in the future, advising that it will be influenced by the organizational structure, shared services, and staffing studies/research. The fourth recommendation is to allow the KCTCS President to determine the proper staffing levels and subsequent funding levels of the System Office, that would maximize student success, organizational efficiencies, and effective leadership. 
        5. Administrative
          1. Dr. Cindy Kelley shared the scope of work of this work team that included outdated or conflicting statutory language and consideration of the personnel system for KCTCS employees. Dr. Kelley reviewed each statute and the status of the revisions that are being proposed. Dr. Kelley shared the recommendation that KCTCS maintain the current structure of the personnel systems while continuing to monitor organizational effectiveness.
    5. EXECUTIVE SESSION

      KRS 61.810 (1)(c) - Proposed or pending litigation

      Chair Martin announced the executive session was not needed. No motion was made and no vote was taken to enter closed session.

    6. NEXT MEETING - December 5-6, 2024 at the KCTCS System Office

      ADJOURNMENT

      Regent Stevens made a motion to adjourn. Regent Whitten seconded the motion. The motion passed by consensus and the meeting adjourned at 4:21 p.m. EST.