Community College Board Meeting Minutes 09-08-05

Others Present: Sen. Tim Jennings, Judy Armstrong, Dee Rogers, Donna Gutierrez, Bob Bowman, Bill Jones, Paul Merryman, James Buchanan, Art Leible

Albertina Silva called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm.

Finalize Agenda: Albertina Silva suggested that, since we were waiting for the final members to arrive, the Board skip to action item number 3: Reconfiguration of the Branch Community College Board. Dr. Judy Armstrong explained the current statute (not districted model). Sen. Tim Jennings, who agreed to assist the Board present findings to the Legislature, commented that he thought the County Commission would be an excellent model, especially since the entire county is represented. He also pointed out that if the Board decided to go with seven members, the Board would have to hire someone to find seven equal districts. Wes Pilley asked Senator Jennings if the present school board Presidents could just become the members and the Senator said that it would not be legal to do that. President Silva asked the Senator how difficult the process would be and he said that once it was approved by the Governor, it would not be a difficult process at all. President Silva then asked about the timeframe for the process. Senator Jennings said it would go to the Legislature in January and probably be approved by March.

Since the Reconfiguration issued was tabled at the March 15, 2005 meeting, Milburn Dolen made the motion to remove it off table. James Waldrip seconded the motion.

At this time, it was decided that the reception by ITV was not good enough to continue and it was too difficult to have the four members in Dexter on the phone, so there was a brief recess while they traveled from Dexter to Roswell. Dr. Judy Armstrong also updated the members in attendance with recent happenings on campus. The biggest news was the announcement of the Gear Up award in the amount of $1.376 Mil a year, to continue for six years. The grant will aid middle school students across the county, with programs ranging from tutoring and mentoring to free lunch programs. Dr. Armstrong described the two HVACR courses that are being offered this fall; both are pilot courses and will fit into two certificates. Dr. Armstrong also spoke of the gift from Mr. Len Cheney of 4 saxophones to the community band and which will be loaned to musicians who do not have instruments of their own.

The annual Foundation-ENMU-R golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, October 15 and Dr. Armstrong invited all members to play. This Tournament benefits the College Access Program Scholarship Fund. Dr. Armstrong also told the Board that ENMU-R and the ENMUR Foundation is looking for ways to assist the victims, especially college age, of hurricane Katrina. Constitution Day, which celebration has been mandated by the federal government, will be commemorated on our campus on September 15 with several activities. The Health Sciences Center construction, which has begun and should end either spring or summer of 2006 is just one of several projects that will enable our campus to accommodate the growing numbers of students. It is expected that we will be on the statewide GO Bond issue in November 2006 for $3.5 Mil. Projects of interest are the University Center, dorms, food service, and the possibility of a partnership for a new rehabilitation center on the campus.

At this point, the members of the Dexter School Board arrived. The motion regarding the tabling was approved unanimously.

Action Items: III. Reconfiguration of the Board was discussed by all members. Milburn Dolen moved that the Board adopt the Branch Community College Local Option to reduce its membership to five members, to be elected at large in the next school board election in 2007. The motion also included a request for Senator Jennings to carry legislation that would amend the existing Branch Community College Local Option to permit the election of board members according to County Commission districts, with the understanding that if such legislation was enacted, the new board would be elected by those districts. Orlando Chavez seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously. According to Local Option requirements, the board then elected a five-member interim board, with one member elected from each of the four school boards and the fifth member elected at large. Dexter appointed Orlando Chavez, Hagerman appointed Jose Chaves, Lake Arthur appointed John Jackson, and Roswell appointed Albertina Silva and Milburn Dolen.. Dan Lathrop moved and Donna Sterrett seconded the motion to cease nominations and approve by acclamation. All agreed.

Milburn Dolen moved and Jose Chaves seconded the motion to accept the March 15, 2005 minutes. The motion was approved unanimously.

I. Public Service Deficit Reduction Plan-The highlight of this action item is the deficit in the Child Development Center and the Student Health Center. The plan is to hire two full time professional staff for the CDC and two .5 time positions in the Health Center. John Jackson moved to approve this plan and Jose Chaves seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Albertina Silva asked for nominations from the floor for position of President of new Board. Jose Chaves nominated Albertina Silva. Albertina Silva nominated Milburn Dolen. John Jackson moved to close nominations and Jose Chaves seconded the motion. The motion was approved. The vote was Milburn Dolen-3 and Albertina Silva -2.
Albertina Silva nominated Orlando Chavez as Secretary. There were no other nominations. John Jackson made the motion to accept Orlando Chavez as Secretary by acclamation and Jose Chaves seconded the motion. The motion carried.

II. Budget FY 05-06 The budget attachment was presented from the May meeting which did not meet because of the lack of quorum. John Jackson made the motion to approve the FY 0506 budget and Albertina Silva seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Adjourn: Albertina Silva made the motion to adjourn the meeting, and Orlando Chavez seconded the motion. It was passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.