Board of Directors Meeting December 11, 2024

Mr. Walker called for a motion to approve the minutes from the September 11, 2024 meeting of the BCTC Board of Directors. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Bob McNulty and seconded by Mr. Richard Webb. The minutes from the September 11, 2024 meeting were approved.

Ms. Lisa Bell presented the biennial capital requests, explaining the process of submitting them to the System Office, which consolidates them into the KCTCS biennial budget request sent to the Governor’s Office.

Ms. Bell highlighted three requests that were added or modified to the Asset Preservation Project list, including the renovation of the newly purchased 1919 Rolling Hills Lane building, the renovation of the vacated nursing space at 2020 Rolling Hills Lane, and the expansion of the Lawrenceburg campus to include an additional classroom.

Ms. Bell explained the reordering of priorities since the last request two years ago, noting that the equine training facility moved down to #5 because a community partner met the need without requiring additional college resources.

Ms. Bell reviewed the combined list of 13 projects, organized in biennium order, which will be sent to the System Office upon board approval.

Mr. Walker asked for a motion to be made to approve for submission to System Office the Capital Strategic Needs Analysis priorities and projects as presented. The motion was made by Mr. Richard Webb and seconded by Ms. Hilary Morgan. The motion passed unanimously.

The Strategic Plan was included on the agenda as a precaution in case there was legislative pressure that required immediate action. There was discussion in the last legislative term concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and that is one goal in our strategic plan. The college will wait to update the strategic plan until directed by the legislature/KCTCS.

It was emphasized that continuing data-driven decisions is crucial to ensure the strategic plan positively impacts students. 

1. On December 6, 2024, Dr. Feeney marked one year in his role as president. He expressed his appreciation for the faculty and staff, along with the continued impact they make.
2. The college has increased its retention and success rates, which are key indicators of the institution's effectiveness in supporting students.
3. Fall enrollment increased by 11.5% compared to this time last year.
4. The Prison Education Program (PEP), in partnership with the Department of Corrections, began classes in October 2024 at the following correctional sites:
   • Blackburn Correctional Complex – offering AA and AS
   • Northpoint Training Center – offering AA and AS and AAS in Welding
5. Dual Credit enrollment continues to grow as we strengthen our relationships with K-12 schools in our service area.
6. Improving adult education and GED rates.
7. The college’s solid budget work has allowed for employee raises, additional positions, and the purchase of the 1919 Rolling Hills Lane building.
8. In the last five academic years, the college has been awarded $34.5 million in new grants. That is an average of $6.9 million per year. The college is halfway through the year with over $6.5 million awarded grants.
9. The college received the first of three annual donations that will equal a total of $447,513.62 from the Kentucky Association of Health Plans, Inc. (KAHP). This donation will fund a three-year pilot initiative that combines two proven best practices: loaning students laptops and personalized student coaching. This project will support a cohort of 200 healthcare students. Dr. Feeney thanked board member, Mr. Tom Stephens, and KAHP for their generous donation.
10. Workforce Solutions continues to grow both in the number of businesses it serves and its income.
11. Kudos to Shelbie Hugle and the Marketing team for their hard work.
12. The system-level discussions related to SJR179 will continue this year. On December 10, Dr. Quarles testified at the Joint Education Committee with some recommendations that include renaming the Board of Directors to an Advisory Board, system level board appointment time, and single accreditation. This depends on how the legislators vote in this coming session.
13. Over the past five years, the college’s budget breakdown has ranged from 17-24% state appropriations, 47-61% tuition revenue, and 15-33% from grants and fundraising efforts.
14. Dr. Feeney thanked the faculty, staff, Board of Directors, and the Foundation Board for helping complete our mission.

Ms. Lisa Bell gave a general update of the Budget Reports, Budget Narrative, Yearly Comparison, and Current Year Visuals, Revenue, and Expenses.

1. As noted on page 46, the general ledger for FY24 was not officially closed when the report was written. However, the general ledger has now been officially closed. The System Office has completed its official audit, and the college budget team will reconcile the audit findings with the college budget once the information becomes available.
2. The fall revenue exceeded budget by 16%.
3. As of November 15, spring tuition accounted for 46.92% of our budget, leaving an $8.6 million gap. As of December 11, the recorded spring tuition has reached 76% of our budget, reducing the gap by $4.6 million in just one month. 

Dr. Karen Mayo presented the enrollment report for the year.

1. Spring enrollment is up 14.7% compared to this time last year, with projections indicating a final increase of 3-5% over the previous year.
2. Details on the demographics of enrolled students were provided, noting that 61.2% are female, 36.9% are male, and 79.5% are credential-seeking students. The age distribution includes 33.6% aged 25+, 29.6% aged 20-24, 23.7% aged 18-19, and 13.2% aged 13-17.
3. The college is working to increase its connection with K-12 partners to remain competitive and address the enrollment cliff.

1. Dr. Carlous Yates announced the renaming of several positions within the Cultural and Engagement area to better reflect their roles and responsibilities. The Student Success Hub will join Cultural and Engagement in January 2025.
2. BCTC is partnering with the University of Kentucky AgriProspect grant initiative. The initiative will provide monthly seminars, tours, and internship opportunities for minority and underrepresented students.
3. The first Counseling Wellness Fest was held on October 10, 2024, with over 300 participants. This was a great event that promoted mental health awareness and support to students.
4. BCTC was the only community college invited to participate in the Kentucky Coalition for Responsible Alcohol and Substance Misuse Education (RASME). The three-year, $1 million pilot program is modeled after successful, established versions in other states and will work with participating schools to implement a holistic well-being initiative centered on education and harm reduction strategies while providing support to ensure consistency and accountability.
5. Presidential Student Ambassadors (PSAs) work directly with the president’s office and serve as positive role models to help prospective and current students and guests feel connected to the college community. The Ambassadors are an integral part of the BCTC community, representing the college both on and off campus.

1. The Winchester and Danville campuses raised over $34,000 in the GoodGiving Challenge. This does not include the matches from the Bluegrass Community Foundation.
2. The 1919 Rolling Hills Lane open house had over 80 VIP and community partners in attendance. It marked the launch of our capital campaign for the building. The college has received the first gift of $100,000.
3. The college is working on matching our students with our Central Kentucky Caucus legislators. Our legislative interns have an opportunity to work directly with legislators to see the inner workings of Frankfort and the legislative process.
4. The college has awarded 99.5% of the available scholarship funds to over 300 students.
5. The emergency fund of $10,000 has helped several students who experienced a personal emergency.
6. Customized training and continuing education through Workforce Solutions finished the year by serving 488 businesses and trained 1,693 individuals. Workforce Solutions has been awarded $900,000 in TRAINS funding.
7. Career Services Title III Grant – BCTC received a federal, Title III grant Strengthening Institution Program in the amount of $2,124,495. It is a five-year grant that will help enhance and expand our Career Services.
8. Kudos to the regional campus directors for their hard work and dedication. 

1. Raeanne Powers, HR Development Partner, will serve a three-year term as the Occupational Technical Staff Regent for the KCTCS Board of Regents.
2. Recruitment
   • The college is actively recruiting 29 jobs.
   • Nine (4 faculty and 5 staff) new employees will start in January.
   • Attending UK Job Recruitment Fair in February.
3. Tuition Reimbursement
   • The college is sponsoring two employees in the MSU Doctoral Cohort.
   • The college had three graduates in 2024, and two new participants began in Fall 2024.
   • Fifteen colleges offer tuition discounts for BCTC employees.
4. Employee Development
   • Ten (10) supervisors were selected for the BCTC Supervisor Academy.
   • Two regional campus tours are scheduled for employees.
   • The college had five (5) retirees during Fall 2024.
5. The annual compliance training took place from September 5 – October 9, 2024.
6. The health open enrollment took place from October 7 – 25, 2024.
7. Next year there will be a focus on the college recruitment plan, staff development series, classification and compensation compression study, and SACSCOC Standard 5.4.