Board of Directors October 2024 Meeting Minutes

October 24, 2024

Board Members Present:

Board Members Absent:

• Mr. Gary Napier

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Harris called the meeting of the Somerset Community College Board of Directors to order at 12:58 p.m.  She welcomed everyone in attendance and thanked SCC’s Culinary Arts Program for organizing and planning the luncheon before the meeting.

Chair Harris called on Mr. Dan Venters, Circuit Judge, to administer the Oath of Office to the SCC Board Members. All in attendance affirmed to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Chair Harris called on Ms. Cindy Clouse to distribute the College Board of Directors Handbook and the certificate of distribution of the handbook along with the annual conflict of interest form. In addition, she invited Board Members to the Open House at SCC’s newest location, SCC Valley Oak Center.

ACTION ITEM: July 25, 2024 MINUTES

Chair Harris announced that the minutes of the July 25, 2024 meeting were included in the agenda booklet and the book was mailed to Board Members in advance of the meeting.  Mr. Arnett moved the minutes to be approved as distributed.  Mr. Duncan seconded the motion.  The minutes were unanimously approved.

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS

Dr. Castle thanked Board members, who were able to attend, for supporting the 2024 Hall of Honor Dinner and Auction held in September. This is a fundraising effort to recognize Alumni and Community members who actively support the College. Vice Chair Phillip Duncan was honored at this year’s event. It raised over $55,000.

Dr. Castle reported to the Board that SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) visited the College in September to review the Fifth Year Interim Report.  They visited Manchester, Whitley ATC, Valley Oak, Corbin ATC and the College received no recommendations. Side Note: Kentucky Board of Nursing visited McCreary Center and received no recommendations.

Dr. Castle reported the Laurel Building is in architectural planning phase. The College hopes to have construction beginning as early as July 1, 2025. 

Dr. Castle reported that a few SCC employees were selected to be a part of an Emergency Operations team.  Employees were required to take the Incident Command System Training. This training will help prepare these teams in crisis situations.

Dr. Castle provided an encouraging update on Somerset Community College's enrollment, noting an increase in retention. 

Dr. Castle reported on SJR 179. There are some recommendations to reform the Governance of the Board of Regents and the Local Boards. Dr. Castle listed a few of those possible changes but reminded the Board that these are recommendations and could change.

ACTION ITEM: ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2025

Mr. Larry Vanhook, representing the nominating committee, reported to the board the decision to appoint the following positions throughout the year 2025: Mr. Jonathan Arnett as Chair, Ms. Whitney Wilburn as Vice Chair, and Ms. Dana Muse as Secretary. Mr. Duncan made a motion to approve the presented nominations. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ACTION ITEM: MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2025

Chair Harris asked board members to review the meeting dates distributed in their booklets. Ms. Wilburn made a motion to approve the schedule as presented. Mr. Denney seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Harris announced the next meeting will be on January 23, 2025.  With no further business, the Board dismissed at 1:45 PM.

Date Approved by Board of Directors: January 23, 2025