Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, September 11, 2025 | OCTC

Board of Directors

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, September 11, 2025

OWENSBORO COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Minutes

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Jones, Sonya Southard, and Dr. Chad Wilkerson

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Joan Hayden, Doug Hoyt, Jordan Lanham, and CeCe Robinson

CALL TO ORDER

The OCTC Board of Directors’ meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Pat Jones at 5:31 p.m. (CST) on September 11, 2025.  The meeting was held in the Administration Board Room.

Dr. Williams welcomed the new Board members: Sonya Southard, OCTC Staff Representative, and Dr. Chad Wilkerson, OCTC Faculty Representative.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Due to a lack of a quorum, the minutes were not approved; the May and July meeting minutes will be presented for approval during the November meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Quarterly Budget Report

Vice President Sarah Price shared a preliminary draft of the Fourth Quarter Variance Report, noting that it remains a draft pending the finalization of the audit report.

Revenue

Tuition and Charges- 107.22% was received. The percentage of revenue received is consistent with the OCTC enrollment for summer 2024 and 2025, fall 2024, and spring 2025. Additionally, the net SEEK budget was incorporated into the Tuition and Charges budget. The net SEEK revenue was over $135,000.

Noncredit Tuition- 107.86% was received. Revenue for this category surpassed the fourth quarter parameters, primarily for business and industry training ranging from technical training to soft skills.

Sales and Service- 123.55% was received. Revenue for this category surpassed the fourth quarter parameters. Bookstore commission, on-line course charge, testing, indirect cost, and transcripts contributed to the increase in revenue received in this category.

Restricted Funds- 63.93% was received. This amount is below fourth quarter parameters. due to the $38 million HealthForce Kentucky budget. The College received $10,780,034.88 of Cares Act Grant revenue through the end of the fourth quarter. The percentage of restricted funds reflects receipt of the restricted student financial aid for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 in addition to other grant and gift revenue received.

Expenses

Instruction- 86.05% was expended. This category has not surpassed fourth quarter parameters due to budgeting a portion of the College’s fund balance in this category. Note that $833,120 was transferred to Fund 61 for facilities improvement projects.

Dr. Williams and Ms. Price responded to questions and offered clarification of budget-related terminology and concepts for new Board members.

President’s Report

Dr. Williams provided the following report: 

  • Chris Crumrine, KCTCS director of Government Relations, stated that appointments for new Board of Directors are expected by the end of September;
  • Currently, the fall 2025 enrollment is up 1.1%, equating to approximately 50 students. This low percentage is not uncommon due to the ongoing enrollment of concurrent students;
  • The Mission Possible initiative which focuses on institutional growth is underway.  Each department will establish a target goal within their unit that aligns with this initiative. A dashboard will be provided monthly, measuring the progress toward meeting each of the goals; 
  • Pathfinder Day, which serves as an orientation for new students, was a great success with nearly 275 students along with parents in attendance. Additionally, 120 Early College students participated in the day’s activities; 
  • BibliU will be the new bookstore vendor as of July 1, 2026;
  • Regulations are currently being written by the Department of Education for the Workforce Pell initiative which is to implemented next year;
  • OCTC is implementing the Council on Postsecondary Education Education’s 10 Essential Skills program which is designed to ensure graduates are prepared to excel in today’s job market following graduation; 
  • Success measures will be reinstated at the federal level to ensure graduates can be offered a competitive wage within their field of study;
  • The sixteen colleges are partnering together to establish a six-part strategy for mental health services within KCTCS; 
  • OCTC has been recognized as “A Great College to Work” for the fifth year; 
  • OCTC is working with a consulting firm to finalize a sustainability plan and business model for HealthForce Kentucky;
  • Senator McConnell has expressed interest in HealthForce Kentucky and has requested that we submit proposals for potential federal grant funding; 
  • An update on capital projects was provided:
    • Phase II of the HVAC project will soon begin;
    • The Switchgear replacement at the Downtown Campus is progressing, with completion expected in December;
    • Exterior doors will be replaced on the Main Campus; and the repair on the lake has started;
    • Furniture for eleven classrooms will be shipped in October;
  • Windy Hollow Café has been a huge success. Students have been congregating in the campus center, eating, playing ping pong; and socializing;
  • The on-site SACSCOC Accreditation visit is September 29 – October 2. The team will request to meet with 2-3 Board members; 
  • Student Fest was well attended and considered the best in the 25 years;
  • The TRiO grant program is in its third cycle and will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary; and 
  • Congratulations to our CIT faculty and Academic Affairs as OCTC has been designated as a Cybersecurity program by Department of Defense.

ADJOURNMENT

With no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Approved:

Signature on File
Scott Williams, Ph.D. 
President

Signature on File
Doug Hoyt
Chair