GCCC Board of Trustees meeting

The Garden City Community College Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in the Endowment room of the Beth Tedrow Student Center. The meeting was called to order by board chair, Steve Martinez at 6:00 pm.

New employees were introduced and several community members signed up to speak to the board. According to board protocol each person signed up to speak is allowed five minutes to address the board under the open comments from the public agenda item. Callie Dyer, Director of Live Well Finney County Health Coalition, addressed the meeting to share that the Finney County Health and Services Fair would be held at GCCC on May 24 from 1-7 pm.

Dr. Herbert J. Swender, GCCC President, directed the trustees’ attention to the many activities and happenings at GCCC since the last Board of Trustees meeting. The highlights included guest speaker Brian McClendon, founder of Google Earth who spoke with STEM students on March 22. Several dignitaries visited campus including State Treasurer, Jake LaTurner, who stopped by to promote the benefits of using Quest 529 Education Saving Accounts. The International Flying Farmers group toured campus on March 23, and Lt. Governor Tracey Mann toured GCCC Technical Programs on April 9. The 51st annual Broncbuster Rodeo was held April 6-8. GCCC Rodeo Athlete, Ean Price, and his brother, Ethan Price, won the team roping competition vaulting the pair of brothers to the top three in the team-roping header and heeler standings. Task Force Broncbuster worked with Boy Scout Troops 108 and 59 to collaborate on a land navigation course to help the Boy Scouts obtain the Orienteering Merit Badge on April 7. GCCC hired a new head volleyball coach, Casie Lowden, on March 27. Casie Lowden was the assistant volleyball coach last year and comes from the Pacific Juniors Volleyball Club in La Verne, CA, where she was head coach for three years. On April 3, criminal justice students practiced traffic stop protocol with help from the Garden City Police Department.

Clay Woydziak gave the Student Government Association (SGA) report. He shared that the SGA Banquet will be held on April 25 at 5:00 pm. Woydziak also shared that they had many volunteers sign up to help with the upcoming river clean up on Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. The City of Garden City has collaborated with SGA to help organize drop off zones for various items cleaned from the river. With the help of the City, the junk will be categorized (tires, trash, large metal items, etc.). Woydziak expressed his appreciation to community members and organizations who have donated gloves and volunteered to help with the effort.

Sheena Hernandez, President of Faculty Senate, shared that Faculty Senate is still working toward the annual Faculty Appreciation Luncheon on April 27 from 11:30 – 1:00 pm. Faculty continues to work with administration on assessment and accreditation as well as preparing for the end of the year. Hernandez shared that negotiations were progressing well and that sessions have been productive and supportive on both sides. Hernandez and Faculty Senate Vice President, Phil Hoke, discussed workload of faculty that is an additional part of HLC accreditation.

During discussion on the consent agenda, board member Leonard Hitz, asked questions about the Buster Athletic Association (BAA) account and if he would able to visit with business office personnel about the BAA account. GCCC Athletic Director, John Green, directed Hitz to contact the BAA President, as that organization is a separate entity from the college.

Under other business, Dr. Herbert J. Swender, GCCC President, recommended to the board the need to enter into an agreement for replacement of roofs. A roof prioritization was completed to determine which roofs should be replaced. The roofs scheduled for replacement are over 40 years old. The roof prioritization included looking at the areas with constant leaks and the value of the items below the roof. The roofs needing replacement are the DPAC Practice Gym, and the Penka building roof with two alternative recommendations for replacement at JCVT and Fine Arts. An RFP was released and bids were received. The board voted to have GCCC administration enter into an agreement for replacement of roofs with DV Douglass of Garden City.

Jeff Crist gave the Kansas of Association of Community College (KACCT) Report. He shared that there would be a meeting in June and that the organization was busy working on K-12 funding.

Steve Martinez gave the Finney County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) report. He shared that they were working with USD 457 on helping to alleviate the childcare problem. Martinez said the organization had been very active with businesses stopping by to utilize the services provided at FCEDC. He shared that the brewery coming to town was busy with construction and demolition and that a new restaurant “Pinky’s” was scheduled to open on Monday.

Terri Worf shared with the group that she had received compliments from a student about the help they had received when inquiring about online programs.

An individual entered the meeting to speak to the board. Board Chair, Steve Martinez, explained to the individual that public comment was on the agenda at the beginning of the meeting and according to board protocol public comment can only take place during the open comment agenda item. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 pm.