In accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open
Meeetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, the Board
of Trustees of the Austin Community College District convened
in public session at 6:04 p.m. in the Board Room (201) of the
District Administration Offices located at 5930 Middle Fiskville
Road, Austin, Texas. with the following members present: Carol
Nasworthy, Chair/Presiding Officer; Beverly Watts Davis (arrived
at 6:20 p.m.), Vice Chair; Lillian J. Davis, Secretary; Hunter
Ellinger; Sharon Knotts Green; Allen Kaplan; Della May Moore;
and John Worley (arrived at 7:15 p.m.). Trustee Rafael Quintanilla
was absent.
It is further found and determined that in accordance with the
policies and orders of this Board, the notice of this meeting
has been posted and return thereof made pursuant to the terms
and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of
the Texas Government Code, and there has been full compliance
with the terms and provisions of said act, including the timely
posting of the subjects of this meeting.
Citizen's Communications
The following individuals addressed the Board concerning Agenda Item 6821, Consideration of Revisions to Board Policy VIII-50, Experience Step Placement/Advancement for Non-Faculty Employees {Phase II Implementation] and spoke against proposed amendments to modify the maximum number of steps employees would receive for previous work experience:
Reports from Employee Associations
Agenda Item 6816 Report of Austin
Community College's First College-Wide Technology Plan
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte indicated that
the report was submitted for Board review and comments regarding
implementation of the three fiscal years of recommended initiatives
with the estimated costs. Lou Herman, Associate Vice President
for Information Technology, reviewed the report and provided information
in response to questions from Board members including proposed
funding, leasing versus purchasing, and prioritization criteria.
Additional information was requested concerning the computer-to-student
ratio. Dr. Fonte indicated that information will be provided to
the Board at the end of the first year concerning the ratio.
Agenda Item 6817 Partial Implementation
of Capital Equipment Policy through Adoption of a Capital Equipment
Fee of $3 per Credit Hour
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte stated that this
item recommends that the Board approve a capital equipment fee
of $3 per credit hour. Board members discussed other possible
methods for funding the $1,500,000 of the capital equipment budget
priorities to provide for the successful implementation of Policy
I-80. Janis Koenig will provide additional information to the
Board regarding capital equipment fees charged by other community
colleges.
Agenda Item 6818 Implementation of
Facility Improvement and Maintenance
Policy by Establishing Building Fees of $11
(increase from $10 to $11 per credit hour)
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item, and Dr. Fonte stated the proposed
plan would increase the building fee by $1 per credit hour and
ensure dedication of the money to facilities, particularly to
safety issues in the first year. These monies would be transferred
to the Plant Fund. Board members discussed the cost per student
and whether students feel that they are getting a good deal for
their money. Dr. Fonte indicated that there is positive feedback
and he will provide information and data to Board members prior
to the next meeting. Dr. Nasworthy expressed appreciation for
action of the 75th Texas Legislature which made it
possible for students to pay tuition in installment payments.
Agenda Item 6819 Consideration of Revenue Projections for Fiscal Year 1998
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte discussed the
proposed revenue projections as the basis for the FY98 balanced
budget, which will be presented for approval at the July Board
meeting. He indicated that the projections reflect adjustments
to the state appropriations and expected tax revenues, as well
as new Board Policies IV-1, Facilities Improvement and Maintenance,
and Policy I-80, and Capital Equipment Projects and associated
fee increases related to implementation of these policies. Dr.
Fonte stated the need for the College to communicate with Leander
and Austin ISDs concerning the assessed valuations. Board members
discussed the actual tax rate and Jerry Miller, Associate Vice
President for Business Services, was asked to provide information
to Board members for 1995, 1996, and proposed 1997 and historic
information on in-district and out-of-district tuition rates.
Organizational charts for 1996, 1997, and the proposed organizational
chart for the single-college, as well as sites of all leased office
and classroom space for 1996 versus 1997 were also requested.
Agenda Item 6820 Report on 1997 Reclassification
Position Analyses Recommendations
and Full Implementation of Phase
I
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte indicated that this is a report regarding position classification changes. He indicated an additional $123,000 would be required to fully implement Phase I of the Classification Study. Joyce Guillory, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, discussed the ongoing review process of positions by the College to ensure internal equity. The process includes evaluation of all new positions, re-evaluation of positions as a result of an approved College reorganization, and re-evaluation of positions which have changed substantially from the original band and subgrade. This process has occurred for classified and professional/technical positions, and a total of 53 changes would result in salary change for employees; 11 additional changes would result in title change only; and 10 positions still require review following final implementation of the academic reorganization. Board members discussed the process, cost of implementation, and the need for a rational classification and compensation policy based upon changes as a result of organizational changes during a specific period of time. Janis Koenig, Administrative Vice President, and Ms. Guillory indicated that Phase I of the Classification and Compensation Study is now concluded.
Agenda Item 6821 Consideration of
Revisions to Board Policy VIII- 50, Experience-Step Placement/Advancement
for Non-Faculty Employees [Phase II Implementation]
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte stated that the
proposed action is to amend Board Policy VIII-50 to modify the
maximum number of steps employees will receive for previous work
experience. He said College administration recommends a cap of
six steps for internal classified employees and five steps for
new employees. The administration also recommends a cap of ten
steps for administrative/professional-technical employees. Dr.
Fonte indicated that the caps recommended were proposed by the
Administrative Implementation Team who believes that, based upon
a judgment establishing a principle of a declining value of outside
experience, six steps/five steps are more appropriate than a system
for the particular level of positions that could grant recognition
for up to 10 years of experience. He stated he will respond to
this proposal and finalize the budget based upon input from trustees
at this time. Board members commented unanimously against the
proposed amendment to modify the maximum number of steps to six
for current employees. Dr. Fonte expressed appreciation to Board
members for the input and stated the budget will be prepared using
the maximum of 10 steps for previous work experience.
Agenda Item 6822 Consideration of
Implementation of Proposed Planning Principle on Increasing the
Number of Full-Time Faculty Teaching in the Classroom
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte and Frank Friedman,
Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, discussed
the need to establish and meet instructional staff needs College-wide.
Dr. Friedman presented information concerning the implementation
of increasing the number of full-time faculty teaching in classrooms
through reallocation of approximately 25 FTE faculty from administrative
responsibilities, and the hiring of new faculty members primarily
in the workforce area, 2.5 FTE in the Fall 1997 semester and 5
FTE in the Spring 1998 semester. He commented regarding the total
estimated number of sections to be taught and the number of sections
to be taught by Full-Time and Adjunct faculty, resulting in an
anticipated $2 million decrease in the FY98 budget from the FY97
budget. Dr. Friedman also discussed the proposed costs for new
hires in the Fall of 1997 and the Spring of 1998.
Agenda Item 6823 Implementation of
Proposed Planning Principle to Reallocate Funds Based on Inequities
Identified in the Economic Model
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte stated that this item recommends that the Board of Trustees reallocate $596,000 as part of the FY98 balanced budget, and is consistent with Board-approved Strategic Planning Principle 6, Equitable Resource Allocation. Dr. Friedman said the proposed reallocation of funds will better serve students by ensuring that the amount of money spent to serve each student taking a particular course is approximately the same, without regard to the campus on which the student takes the course. Board members discussed the proposed reallocation and additional information was requested concerning the per-student basis at each Austin Community College campus.
Agenda Item 6824 Consideration of
Review of Salary and Classification Schedules for Faculty and
Staff in the Adult Basic Education Program, which includes Basic
Skills, English as a Second Language, GED Preparation, and the
Competency Based High School Diploma Program
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte advised that this
item is an issue of fairness and recommends compensation equity
for six full-time and 60 part-time faculty in the Adult Basic
Education area. Dr. Friedman stated that faculty and staff in
the Adult Education Program have been subject to separate salary
and classification schedules since the College began serving as
the program's fiscal and administrative agency approximately twenty-three
years ago. Board members expressed appreciation to College administration
for making this issue known. Dr. Fonte indicated that a window
could be created to allow a classification review of appropriate
positions, since positions in the Adult Education Program were
not a part of Phase I of the Classification and Compensation Study.
Agenda Item 6825 Implementation of
Proposed FY98 Budget Planning Principles and Adoption of a Balanced
Budget
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte stated that this
item provides information concerning the principles and directives
on which the FY98 budget will be created. Dr. Fonte and Dr. Friedman
discussed the principles and responded to trustees' questions.
Agenda Item 6826 Consideration of Renewal of Pond Springs Facility Building Lease
and
Agenda Item 6827 Consideration of
Renewal of Rio Grande Campus Peach Street Office Building Lease
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Dr. Fonte advised that these
items are provided to make Board members aware of the lease renewals.
He indicated that the Pond Springs lease is for the Photography
Department, and the Peach Street lease is used primarily for faculty
offices near the Rio Grande campus. Dr. Fonte said the leases
are for one year and stated his intention for College administration
to review all leases.
Agenda Item 6828 Consideration of
Adoption of Board of Trustees Calendar
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item and Hunter Ellinger, Trustee,
provided information concerning development of the proposed FY98
Board calendar and called attention to the proposed Board retreats.
He indicated that the proposed annual calendar is provided for
the President's response. Dr. Fonte stated this item will appear
on the agenda for the July 7 Board meeting. He indicated that
comments from Board members were welcomed.
Agenda Item 6829 Consideration of
Board of Trustees Policy Manual Structure
Dr. Nasworthy introduced the item. Dr. Fonte discussed the proposed
new categories and numbering for the Board of Trustees Policy
Manual.
President's Report
Because of the lateness of the meeting, Dr. Fonte deferred his
report until the July Board meeting. He indicated that the recent
public opinion survey showed very positive support for Austin
Community College by the community as a whole. He also noted that
the strategy for the Summer Sessions worked-higher enrollment
with less sections. Dr. Fonte stated information concerning the
exact numbers will be provided soon. He said enrollment, at this
time, is up by 1,000, and the number of sections is decreased
from last year by 100.
Reports to the Board
Dr. Nasworthy, with concurrence from Larry Bassett, Director,
Internal Audit, deferred until the July 7 Board meeting the report
to the Board on the Internal Audit Review of the College's Management
Response to the 1996 External Auditor's Management Letter.
Announcements
Dr. Nasworthy stated that she, Dr. Fonte, and Dr. Friedman will
meet with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Committee
on Monday, June 23.
Adjournment
The meeting of the Committee of the Whole of the Austin Community
College Board of Trustees adjourned at 10:30 p.m. on Monday, June
16, 1997.
Approved By
Dr. Carol Nasworthy, Board Chair
Dr. Lillian J. Davis, Board Secretary
Comments, suggestions? Posted on the
Web on July 7, 1997.