The Northeast Texas Community College Board of trustees met on Wednesday, May 3rd for its delayed regular April meeting. Board Chairman Chuck Johns opened the meeting by announcing that Sid Greer, who held Place Four from Morris County, has resigned from his position on the board.
Greer joined the NTCC board in 2000 and has been instrumental in many major milestones at the college, including his particular interest in the construction of the Elizabeth Hoggatt Whatley Ag Complex and the development of the Sustainable Agriculture program.
“Mr. Greer has been a valuable asset to the college board for 23 years. He has been a strong advocate for sustainable agriculture and agri-tourism in our region and his knowledge and leadership were invaluable to NTCC during a critical time. He will be missed and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” Dr. Ron Clinton, NTCC president, said. The Board opted to table discussion about naming a replacement for Place Four until the May meeting.
In the President’s Report, Clinton noted that HB 8, which would substantially change the way Texas community colleges are funded, is moving very well through the legislative process. It successfully passed the House almost unanimously and has now moved to the Senate for consideration.
Clinton asked Dr. Kevin Rose, Senior Vice President for Student Success, to give an update on the work of the recently approved Safety and Security Committee. Rose said that the committee has been meeting regularly and has accomplished a significant amount of work since it began last September. Examples of their work include: implementing Standard Response Protocols across campus, conducting multiple drills and emergency notification tests, improving lock systems across campus, expanding the phone/PA systems and cooperating with local emergency response leadership.
“We are working to bring a more organized and systematic approach to emergency response at NTCC. The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority and this team is working hard to move us toward being more prepared in the event that a major crisis occurs. I want to thank everyone on the committee for their hard work and dedication to the safety and security of our campus,” Rose said.
Under the Foundation report, Dr. Jon McCullough, Executive Vice President for Advancement, announced that NTCC was the top fundraiser of the 2023 East Texas Giving Day event for the second year in a row. The NTCC Foundation raised $244,730 from 208 donations.
“East Texas Giving Day has become an exciting tradition at NTCC. Our employees have really rallied behind it and continue to give in big numbers. When I see employees donating their hard-earned money to help the cause it shows how passionate they are about the work we do at the college,” McCullough said.
McCullough also reported on the Shelby Centennial Reception, which the college hosted April 29th at the NTCC Culinary Arts building in conjunction with the Texas Hot Link Festival. Aaron Shelby, grandson of Carroll Shelby, and members from Team Shelby and the Shelby Cobra Association of Texas (SCAT) attended along with dignitaries from Pittsburg. A live auction raised almost $10,000 to support NTCC Shelby Automotive Scholarships. The Foundation hopes to make it an annual event.
In action items, the board approved the consent agenda, proposed course fees, a resolution in support of the Texas Commission on Community College Finance recommendations, the purchase of SimX software for the new simulation lab that is currently under construction and a new HVAC system for the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts.
The also approved hiring Katie Campbell as the new Corporate and Community Education Advisor and released a funeral service faculty member from their contract. Lastly, the board approved employment contracts for the 2023-2024 academic year.
No executive session was called and the meeting was adjourned.
