WEST KERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD RETREAT
August 22, 2015
A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the West Kern Community College
District was called to order at 8:45 a.m. by President Billy White for the purpose of the
annual Board Retreat. Trustees Emmanuel Campos, Dawn Cole, Michael Long and Kal
Vaughn were also present. Superintendent/President Dr. Dena Maloney and Executive
Secretary Shelley Klein were also in attendance. Retreat Facilitator Dr. Cindra Smith
joined the meeting following Closed Session.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
No comments were heard.
CLOSED SESSION
At 8:46 a.m. it was moved by Trustee Vaughn seconded by Trustee Cole and
unanimously carried, that the Board convene in Closed Session to discuss the District’s
position regarding the following matters:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Public Employee Appointment/Employment, Government Code Section 54957
Public Employee Performance Evaluations, Government Code Section 54957
Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Reassignment, Government Code
Section 54957
Conference with Labor Negotiators, Government Code Section 54957
Agency Designated Representative: Superintendent/President
Employee Organizations: TC Faculty Association, CSEA Chapter #543 &
Management /Supervisory/Classified Confidential Employees
RECONVENE IN PUBLIC SESSION; ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
At 9:30 a.m., it was moved by Trustee Campos seconded by Trustee Cole and
unanimously carried, to reconvene in Public Session. President White reported that no
action was taken during Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President White led the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON OPEN SESSION ITEMS
No comments were heard.
On a motion by Trustee Vaughn, seconded by Trustee Long and unanimously carried, it
was approved to reorder the agenda items to place the original item 9 – Board Review
West Kern Community College District - Special Meeting August 22, 2015
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and Self-Evaluation of 2014/15 Goals - before Item 7.
Dr. Smith requested each meeting participant to share positive experiences related to
Board service during the past year. Comments included graduation ceremonies as
evidence of the impact of the College; pride in accomplishments; the Superintendent/
President’s leadership; learning more about the culture; student success focus;
formalizing the process of participation in decision-making; and understanding the role
of the Academic Senate.
BOARD REVIEW AND SELF-EVALUATION OF 2014/15 GOALS
Dr. Smith noted that the 2015 Board Self-Evaluation was conducted in accordance with
Board policy. In July, the Office of the President developed an evaluation form using
the Board priorities and tasks adopted in 2014 as criteria. Each Trustee completed the
form and the ratings were averaged. The discussion of the results at the workshop
completed the annual Board self-evaluation.
Average scores in each goal area ranged from 4.2 to 4.93. Of particular note is the
continual improvement from 2013 to 2014 to the current year in each category. There
were numerous comments which provided qualitative assessments of Board
performance.
Survey Results:
Focus Area 1 – Student Services:
2015 Rating: 4.68
2014 Rating: 4.30
2013 Rating: 4.4
Comments included that student success presentations at every meeting have been very
good, and that the presentation on metrics was very helpful. Presentations to the Board
on College programs are well done. Board members discussed keeping a balance
between workshops, presentations, and tours of programs to ensure they are
knowledgeable about and able to monitor student success.
Focus Area 2 – Employee Success:
2015 Rating: 4.8
2014 Rating: 4.6
2013 Rating: 4.7
Comments included appreciation for celebrations of employee success and suggestions
for ongoing improvement and appreciation for the Academic Senate’s work with the
administration in strengthening responsibilities for academic and professional matters.
Trustees noted that the MOU with the Taft Police Department has been working well,
and is addressing the concern for safety on campus.
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BOARD REVIEW AND SELF-EVALUATION OF 2014/15 GOALS (continued):
Focus Area 3 – Institutional Effectiveness
2015 Rating: 4.4
2014 Rating: 4.3
2013 Rating: 4.2
The Board’s role in Accreditation and planning was discussed. Appreciation was
expressed for “getting things done” and for the work related to numerous plans.
Focus Area 4 – Community Success:
2015 Rating: 4.9
2014 Rating: 4.8
2013 Rating: 4.4
Board members affirmed the value of the West Kern Petroleum Summit and its
relationship to Oildorado as a community/college partnership. They also commended
the involvement and visibility of Trustees and College leadership in the community,
and noted that the Foundation is becoming more effective.
Focus Area 5 – Enrollment:
2015 Rating: 4.5
2014 Rating: 4.4
2013 Rating: 4.3
Enrollment trends were discussed which are on track to meet a 1.0% growth target.
Focus Area 6 – Sustainable Resources:
2015 Rating: 4.4
2014 Rating: 4.3
2013 Rating: 4.2
Board members commended work done to meet the expectation for plans to transition
grant-funded programs to College support, facilities plan, and refinancing of long-term
debt. There is still concern about future obligations and resource needs; a workshop
will be scheduled to further explore needs and options.
Focus Area 7 – Technology:
2015 Rating: 4.2
2014 Rating: 4.2
2013 Rating: 3.7
Trustees appreciated the consistency of reports on technology use, and discussed
specific accomplishments related to DegreeWorks and modules in the Banner system.
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BOARD REVIEW AND SELF-EVALUATION OF 2014/15 GOALS (continued):
Focus Area 8 – Board Effectiveness:
2015 Rating: 4.7
2014 Rating: 4.4
2013 Rating: 4.5
Trustees noted the value of conference attendance to continue their knowledge and
strengthen the Board as a team, particularly national conferences that broaden their
perspectives. They discussed seeking more involvement of the Student Trustee.
Trustees have been working very well together. The importance of communication to
“close the loop” related to ideas was discussed.
REVIEW OF BOARD POLICIES, ETHICS AND TRUSTEESHIP
Dr. Smith reviewed Board Policy #2200 – Board Duties and Responsibilities. It was
agreed that Board Policy #2200 fairly represents the expectations of members of the
Board (Trustees) in general and no edits were necessary.
Board Policy #2715 – Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice was reviewed. Discussion
included that an in-depth review of the policy was conducted at the Board Retreat held
in 2014 and the Board remains committed to the policy and maintaining its standards.
Board Policy #3050 – Institutional Code of Ethics was also reviewed. It was noted that
each employee group had provided input for each of their respective sections. Board
members inquired regarding inclusion of the document in new employee orientations.
(Copies of BP #2200, 2715 & 3050 attached to official minutes.)
ACCREDITATION UPDATE
Dr. Maloney reported that the Accreditation Self-Evaluation is a comprehensive and
thorough picture of the current status of the College. We have acknowledged we do
not meet the standards relative to Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and we have
established an actionable plan. This may lead to a sanction from the Commission
(ACCJC) as a result of our deficiency in this area. The Commission required colleges to
attain specific levels of SLO completion since 2012 and we have not met those measures.
Dr. Maloney distributed and reviewed “ACCJA Additional Information Request Based
on 2015 Annual Report.” She noted that the College has been placed on a list of colleges
that will receive “enhanced monitoring.” The handout outlines the Commission’s
requirements that must be met by October 15th. Dr. Maloney noted that some of these
requirements are relatively new. She will meet with the appropriate personnel on
August 25th to prepare our response. An Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Team,
members of which are experts in this area, are scheduled to visit the campus in
November to assist in this effort. Overall, Dr. Maloney related that she feels prepared
for the Accreditation Team Visit and that plans are well underway to facilitate the
logistics for the 12-member group.
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At this point in the meeting Vice President of Instruction Mark Williams, Vice President
of Student Services Darcy Bogle and Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Dr. Robert Meteau joined the meeting to serve as resources for the Board in
establishment of their 2015/16 Goals. Each reviewed accomplishments in their
respective areas during the 2014/15 year, their goals for the 2015/16 year and their
desired leadership/support from the Board to achieve those goals.
ESTABLISHMENT OF 2015/16 GOALS
The Board and retreat participants reviewed the 2015-18 Strategic Action Plan and
identified priorities for their 2015-16 goals (draft priorities and tasks attached to official
minutes).
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. A budget
study workshop is scheduled to take place immediately preceding the regular meeting
at 4:00 p.m. in the Cougar Room.
ADJOURNMENT
At 2:23 p.m., on a motion by Trustee Cole, seconded by Trustee Vaughn and
unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted:
Kal Vaughn, Secretary