October Board Meeting Highlights

The Board of Trustees gathered for an informational session and meet and greet from 5:00-5:45 p.m. in the Innovation and Technology Center on the Sumner Campus, 2205 Shultz-Juden Loop, Wellington, KS. This event was open to the public and no action was taken.

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Trustee Marcotte provided the invocation, and Chair Bob McGregor recited the College Mission Statement.

Loyd Group, LLC has completed the annual audit of all college funds for the year ended June 30, 2025, and provided a (DRAFT) Report. In performing the audit, the accountants examined the validity of financial transactions according to generally accepted accounting principles and State Law. In addition, they have been instructed to apply the standards established by the policies of the Board of Trustees. Holly Harper, Vice President of Finance and Administration, provided the Management Discussion and Analysis (MDA), and Christina Henson with Loyd Group, LLC, provided the audit findings. The audit was completed with zero deficiencies noted. Due to the federal government shutdown, the annual audit could only be presented in (DRAFT) format and will be formally adopted at a future date upon the reopening of the federal government. 

Under Awards and Reports, Cowley President Dr. Michelle Schoon shared that the construction and remodel of the lower-level of Galle-Johnson Hall is complete. The president's annual report mailers have gone out. The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) released their fall census day data, which reflected a 2.5% increase in year-to-year headcount enrollment.

In addition, Schoon introduced the October Student of the Month, Ariana Peterson. 

Government Affairs Liaison Jessica Lucas provided an update on the Sumner County sales tax renewal campaign.

Cowley College Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Debbie Phelps, provided an update on the KBOR Fall Census Day cohort.

Under Administrative Reports, the student pantry committee received a large donation of school supplies from Kaw Nation, also receiving food products totaling $600 through Angels in the Attic. Forty-two TRIO participants attended this team-building and peer-mentorship event at Pumpkin Pants Ranch. Students made their way through corn mazes, interacted with animals, tested their athletic abilities through various games, and learned about the operations of an activity-based farm and business. Five students worked alongside the Optimist Club, who generously smoked 24 pork butts for the annual ACES Pulled Pork Dinner on October 9, 2025. Proceeds will support our spring food packaging event, which aims to provide 20,000 meals to area food banks to combat rising food insecurity.

No Public Comment.

Under Standing Committee Reports, Trustee Phil White provided a recap of the October 13th, 2025 Trustee Sumner County Sales Tax Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed the direct voter outreach efforts and mailers, as well as timelines and events.

Chair McGregor provided a recap of the October 13th, 2025 Trustee Finance Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed procurement items, insurance updates, and the draft audit report. College administration and the Finance Subcommittee requested Board approval of the following procurement items: the purchase of the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ from Zeller Motors at a price of $26,900, using transportation budget funds (7-0), the new Brown Center Clavinova Keyboard Laboratory at a cost of $33,475 using VJ Wilkins Grant and College matching funds (7-0), a LifePak 35 and support equipment from Stryker for $51,272.66 using Perkins Grant funds (7-0), and the contract with Padgett Excavation for the Wellness Center sewer repair at a cost of $35,980, using Capital Outlay Mill Funds (7-0)

Vice-Chair Marcotte provided a recap of the October 14th, 2025 Trustee Academic Subcommittee meeting, where members reviewed the course title change from AI Prompt Engineering to AI Prompt Writing, the 2026-2027 academic calendar, and discussed the 4-day spring schedule. Also presented was the request for approval of the new course, Elementary School PE and Health (7-0).

Trustee Wilson provided a recap of the October 16th, 2025 Trustee Policy Subcommittee meeting, where members reviewed policy 233.00 – College Catalog (Revision), 260.00 – Transfer Coursework (Revision), 303.00 – Selection of Non-Faculty Personnel (Revision), 311.00 – Sick Leave – Full-time Non-Faculty (Revision), and 409.00 – Hazing and Prevention (New) which were presented for a first review. Final approval will be requested at the November meeting.

The Board moved to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes from the September 15, 2025 regular meeting, Financial Reports, Bills and Claims, Personnel Transactions, and Board Policy Approval of 201.00 – Educational Programs (Revision), and 240.00 – Selection of Professional Employees (Revision) (7-0)

With no other business to discuss, Chair McGregor declared the meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m. p.m.

For more details, see the agenda.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu