MINUTES

Special Meeting – Board of Trustees

April 17, 2006

 

In accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of Texas Government Code, the Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District convened in public session on Monday, March 6, 2006, at 6:01 p.m. in the Board Room (201) of the Highland Business Center of Austin Community College located at 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, Texas, with the following members present: Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Chair/Presiding Officer; Mr. John F. Hernandez, Board Vice Chair; Mr. Jeffrey Richard, Secretary; Dr. Lillian J. Davis; Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Ms. Nan McRaven; Ms. Veronica Rivera; and Dr. John Worley.  Trustee Rafael Quintanilla was absent from the meeting.

 

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.

 

Discussion/Possible Action:

 

Agenda Item 8213

Reconsideration of Decision to Order An Annexation Election for San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District to Take Place on May 13, 2006

Dr. Mink introduced the item and Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President, stated:

 

As President, and with the concurrence of the local San Marcos ACC YES Steering Committee, staff recommends that the May 13 election regarding annexation of San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District be rescinded.  This request was based on the concern that the petition process appears to have been compromised by some paid workers hired through a consultant hired by the local steering committee to oversee the petition process.  Neither the local committee nor the College wants to have an election in which doubts about the process have arisen and we feel that the right and ethical thing to do is to cancel the election.  The College also is interested in assisting in any review of the process and in seeing that appropriate penalties are applied to anyone who may have compromised the local petition effort.  Local interest in expanding ACC’s presence in San Marcos at a future date remains, and we look forward to a renewed effort to expand access to higher education and to make it more affordable in San Marcos.  Having said that, we would like for Legal Counsel to be able to update the Board on the legal overview of rescinding the election and I, therefore, ask that the Board Chair to convene the Board in Executive Session.

 

Recess

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community recessed into Executive Session at 6:05 p.m. related to Agenda Item 8213, Reconsideration of Decision to Order An Annexation Election for San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District to Take Place on May 13, 2006, pursuant to Government Code 551.074.

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of Austin Community College reconvened in public session at 6:41 p.m. pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.

 

Agenda Item 8213 (continued)

Reconsideration of Decision to Order An Annexation Election for San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District to Take Place on May 13, 2006

 

Trustees Jeffrey Richard moved and Nan McRaven seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees rescind the RESOLUTION ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD MAY 13, 2006, WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE SAN MARCOS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE ANNEXATION OF THE TERRITORY OF THE SAN MARCOS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT INTO THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT FOR JUNIOR COLLEGE PURPOSES, MAKING PROVISION FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE ELECTION AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS INCIDENT AND RELATED TO THE HOLDING OF SUCH ELECTION. 

VOTE:  The motion passed on a vote of 8-0.

FOR:  Lillian Davis; John Hernandez; Allen Kaplan; Nan McRaven; Barbara Mink; Jeffrey Richard; Veronica Rivera; and John Worley.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT:  Rafael Quintanilla.

 

Announcements

There were no announcements.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the April 17, 2006, Special Meeting of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.

 

Approved By

Jeffrey Richard, Secretary