The Northeast Texas Community College Board of Trustees met for its regular May meeting on Tuesday, May 28th. The first order of business was the Oath of Office Ceremony for a new board member in Place Seven.
Titus County Judge, Kent Cooper, was in attendance to swear in Kerry Wootten as the newly-elected board member. He filled the place that was made available after the retirement of longtime board member, Dr. Dan McCauley.
“We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Wootten to our board. I know that his experience as an attorney will bring unique insight into the role and we look forward to his leadership as we steer the college into the future,” Dr. Ron Clinton, NTCC President, said.
Next on the agenda was voting in new board officers. Chuck Johns was elected to remain Chairman of the Board. Robin Sharp was elected Vice Chair and Sondra Fowler as Secretary.
In the president’s report, Clinton reported that NTCC graduated a record number of students in May, with around 450 students receiving degrees or certificates. He said that enrollment for the summer term, which begins June 3rd, is projected to be similar to 2023, but with a 5% increase in semester hours. In the giving report, Clinton said that the NTCC Foundation raised $89,235 in April.
In action items, the Board approved the consent agenda. They also approved adding an antisemitism clause to four Board policies per Governor Abbott’s GA-44 Executive Order. Essentially, the change added language to policy that prohibits antisemitism, ensures enforcement of these policies and establishes the definition of antisemitism.
“The Governor’s executive order was clear about the steps that state institutions are required to take in regard to updating policies to explicitly prohibit antisemitism. This is in response to recent protests on campuses nationwide. There have been no such incidents reported on the NTCC campus,” Clinton said.
The board adjourned into executive session to discuss the president’s annual evaluation. There was no further business after the executive session and the meeting was adjourned.
