August Board Meeting Highlights

The Board of Trustees gathered for their August 18th Public Budget Hearing at 6:00pm in the President’s Dining Room inside the McAtee Dining Center on the Ark City Main Campus. In accordance with K.S.A. 79-2929, the Board of Trustees shall meet for the purpose of answering and hearing objections of taxpayers relating to the proposed budget, and for the purpose of considering amendments to such proposed budget. With no public comment being heard, the Chair declared the public budget hearing adjourned.

The regular meeting was called to order at the close of the Budget Hearing. Trustee Joe Shriver provided the invocation, and Chair Bob McGregor recited the College Mission Statement.

Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration Holly Harper provided an overview of the State Appropriation Budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026. Revenues are based on the enrollments, state operating grants, and estimated county valuation of $410,097,899, which yields a tax levy of approximately $6,751,290. The county will notify the College around November 1st, 2025, of the actual amount. Expenditures are based on projected enrollments, in which objectives for enrollment are set forth by the administration with the Board of Trustees' approval. The projected Operating Mill Levy of 15.212 is based on assessed valuations provided by the County, and the projected Capital Outlay Mill Levy of 1.25 was set by the Board of Trustees and vetted through published notification for 60 days in accordance with State of Kansas Statute 71-501 and 79-5040 not to exceed five (5) years upon all taxable tangible property in the community college district. This budget was approved by a vote of 7-0.

Under Awards and Reports, Cowley President Dr. Michelle Schoon shared that Cowley College hosted the KACC Quarterly meeting, met with KSU regarding the Milling Program, and has completed the hiring of key staff and faculty positions in the last month.

In addition, Schoon informed the Board that Fall Enrollment is currently open and trending ahead of last year's enrollment numbers.

Trustee Stanley provided a recap of the July 31st-August 2nd KACC Quarterly Meeting, where attendees discussed best practices and data management, student services initiatives, and compliance with federal guidelines on discrimination.

Under Administrative Reports, Dr. Scott Layton met with Ark City and Winfield High School Principals to discuss strengthening our partnerships. The Golden Tigers program fall semester is set, and the newsletter/course catalogs have been mailed. Admissions processed 239 new applications in the month of June.

No Public Comments.

Under Standing Committee Reports, Chair McGregor provided a recap of the August 11th, 2025 Trustee Finance Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed the State Appropriation Budget, sales tax campaign funds, insurance updates, and the procurement of a Sumner Campus fleet vehicle and a Criminal Justice patrol vehicle. The committee requests approval to purchase a 2025 Ford Escape from Raber Ford in Wellington, at a cost of $27,800, paid from Sumner County Sales Tax Funds, and a 2023 Dodge Durango at a cost of $38,825, using Tech Ed Capital Outlay funds. The procurement of both vehicles was approved by a vote of 7-0. A motion was then made to create a separate bank account for the purpose of separating Sumner County Sales Tax Funds from any other Cowley College operating funds (approved 6-0-1 abstain) 

Trustee Marcotte provided a recap of the August 14th, 2025 Trustee Policy Subcommittee meeting, where members reviewed the new 300.00 Series HR Policy Numbering (approved 7-0), and 313.00 – Employment Benefits – Full-Time Employees (revised) which was presented for a first review Final approval of the revised policy will be requested at the September meeting.

Trustee White provided a recap of the August 12th, 2025, Trustee Sumner County Sales Tax Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed the ½ cent Sumner County sales tax campaign funds, open forums/ Board Meetings, and campaign strategies.

The Board moved to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes from both the July 21st work session and the regular meeting, Financial Reports, Bills and Claims, Personnel Transactions, and Board Policy Approval of 204.00 – Auditing a Class (Revised) by a vote of 7-0.

Under Discussion Agenda, Chair McGregor requests the Board discuss and approve the 2025-2026 Board of Trustees Goals, based on the Higher Learning Commission's higher education trends. The goals were adopted by a vote of 7-0.

Under Other Business, Vice Chair Marcotte shared news of the recent donation of 30 800 MHz radios for the Criminal Justice program through collaboration with the Kansas Department of Emergency Management and various other organizations.

With no other business to discuss, Chair McGregor declared the meeting adjourned at 6:54 pm.

For more details, see the agenda.