[Speaker 2] (0:00 - 0:18)
...of the Lee College Board of Regents on October 15th, 2026, at 6:16 p.m. Uh, we do have a quorum, and if Regent Guillory is able to join us, we will announce her at that time. We will move on to our invocation and pledge: the United States flag and pledge the Texas

[Speaker 7] (0:18 - 0:57)
flag. Regent Heron Thomas, bow your heads. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for letting us gather here at Lee College. Thank you for blessing us with the opportunity to lead and serve our community. We're pleased that you please bless everyone in attendance in this meeting. Let us make the best choices. In your Son's Jesus' name we pray, amen. Pledge to the flag, U.S. flag: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[Speaker 14] (0:58 - 1:07)
Amen. Under the Texas flag, I pledge allegiance to the one state under God, one and indivisible.

[Speaker 2] (1:09 - 1:20)
Thank you, Regent Thomas. Next we'll move on to our student spotlight. Kicking us off, I would like to invite

[Speaker 1] (1:20 - 1:25)
Dr. Sarah Tidwell, the interim director of transfer programs, to the pulpit to

[Speaker 5] (1:25 - 4:28)
introduce our student spotlight.

Good evening, Chairman Santana, members of the Board of Regents, President Atkin, and members of the Lee College community. My name is Dr. Sarah Tidwell, and I serve as the interim director of transfer services. Thank you for the opportunity to highlight the important and evolving work of transfer services within the Transfer, Placement, and Workforce Development division.

Lee College helping students successfully transfer to a university is an important part of our commitment to student success. For many of our students, an associate degree is not the finish line. It is the foundation for a bachelor's degree, a rewarding career, and greater opportunities for the future. Transfer services help students turn those aspirations into reality. Our transfer success coaches work with students to connect their career goals with university degree programs, understand transfer requirements, and prepare for a successful transition. Through this guidance, we help students move forward with the knowledge and confidence they need to continue their education, achieve their goals, and ultimately make a difference for their communities.

Tonight's student spotlight is a wonderful example of that impact. It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. Duke Apetto, whose journey reflects both the opportunities Lee College creates for students and the lasting impact our students can have on others. Duke began his journey at Lee College, where he pursued his education while also working in the Student Success and Advising Center, supporting fellow students as they navigated their own academic paths. This fall, Duke continued his journey by transferring to the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering. His commitment to academic achievement was recently recognized when he received the Gertrude Teeter Memorial Scholarship from the Lee College Foundation, a well-deserved honor that reflects his accomplishments and promise.

But what makes Duke's story especially meaningful is that his connection to Lee College continues beyond his own transfer. He was selected for the inaugural cohort of the Lee College Transfer Navigators, a program that empowers students who have successfully navigated the transfer process to guide and encourage others preparing to take that same step. In this role, Duke is helping fellow students explore their options, navigate the transfer process, and see what is possible beyond Lee College. He has experienced firsthand the questions and decisions that come with transferring, and he is now using that experience to help others move forward with confidence.

Duke's story illustrates why transfer services matter. Transfer is more than moving from one institution to another. It is about building strong university partnerships, providing meaningful guidance, and ensuring students have the preparation and support they need to continue their education and reach their goals. Duke represents the kind of success we strive to make possible at Lee College: a student who takes advantage of the opportunities available, continues to pursue his own ambitions, and gives back by helping others succeed along the way. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Duke

[Speaker 3] (4:28 - 11:05)
Apetto.

Thank you very much. Good evening, the chairman, members of the Board of Regents, President Atkin, faculty and staff, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Duke Salasi Apetto. I'm a mechanical engineering student at the University of Houston, and I'm honored to be standing here today as a proud Lee College alumni, alumnus. I'm originally from Ghana, West Africa. I came to the United States as an international student, but due to certain circumstances with my previous institution, financial shit back home, I ended up transferring to Lee College. Looking back then, it was a financial decision, but looking at it currently, that was okay. I'll look at it as a life-changing opportunity. I had a chance to attend an institution seeking higher education at an affordable cost. I had a chance to explore all the fields I thought of, so much of my journey began with me exploring different fields.

As a first-generation student, I didn't have a clear roadmap, so I ended up asking a lot of questions, doing a lot of research, and also speaking to, speaking to professionals in the fields which I imagined myself in. So, um, I would like to go ahead and give a big thank you to the transfer and advising department, because as a student that explored lots and lots of fields, I began my journey in computer science. When I began my studies here at Lee College, I began with computer science, switched to radiation therapy, and ended up with mechanical engineering. So as you can see, my journey wasn't a direct route. I explored everything I could. So far as the institution was providing it, I was willing to take it.

So, one interesting thing is I had a chance to work alongside the transfer and advising department under the supervision of Mr. Daniel Christie. So I ended up working with students, helping them navigate their path, or I was figuring mine as well, and that was actually very interesting, because figuring out my own path and helping other students... I've had circumstances where, actually, in my current institution, I've had circumstances where students have approached me and said I helped them with their transfer process. Kind of heartwarming for somebody who is still figuring his out and helping other students out.

This, as I said, I also had a chance to explore radiation therapy as a program. The transfer and advising team hosted trips to Civic School of Nursing, and that is where I also found my interest in radiation therapy. Despite I didn't end up pursuing it, I had a whole idea of what I would see if I ended up pursuing that career. So I'd also like to say thank you to Lee College for giving me all these opportunities to be able to explore that field as well.

I would like to also give a special recognition to two former employees of the transfer department, Mr. Jordan Marcius and Miss Jasmine James. They worked tirelessly around the clock to make sure my credits were transferred to this institution, at the University of Houston. We, especially in the engineering department, you cannot transfer a program that is engineering-wise into the institution. You cannot transfer any external engineering classes to the institution. But with the help of Mr. Jordan making all the necessary calls and making sure every credit of mine was evaluated pertaining to that, uh, that program, I am proud to say I'm one of the few students, few transfer students at the University of Houston who has had every single credit evaluated and transferred. For a student like me who ended up exploring all these fields, it was very important when it came down to transferring my credits, and they made it possible. So I'd like to thank every single person in the transferring advising department, as well as my two most recognized people.

Um, currently I'm pursuing my degree in mechanical engineering at Cullen College of Engineering, Houston, and it's been a challenge. Transitioning from a two-year institution to a four-year institution is a big challenge, but the foundation Lee College has given me has given me the chance to be able to stand in front of such challenges. I'm able to withstand all these challenges, and I do believe President Atkin and the Board of Regents and everybody working to keep this institution alive is the reason why I'm standing here today. I'd like to say a thank you to everybody who made it possible. Um, today I'm just trying to gather my thoughts as well. Um, all right.

So, um, to the Board of Regents, you have done a lot for students like me to have these opportunities, and I would like to say keep on the good work, because students like me, as an international student, we are traditionally known for going to four-year institutions immediately. I made a conscious effort to transfer to a community college for affordable cost. So me coming to a two-year institution and figuring out exactly what I wanted to do was a big plus for me. I ended up leaving here with a clearer sense of direction. And for an institution named the Navigators, I think that's the name for such an institution, I ended up being able to navigate my path and figure out exactly what I wanted to do. So I would like to say thank you and keep on the good work for providing for students like me, and to the next generation, we'll also be able to do the same. Thank you very much. Thank

[Speaker 2] (11:05 - 11:17)
you, Torpedo. Come on back down. Yeah, you got dressed, both of us, but we'll, we'll go ahead and take a

[Speaker 9] (11:17 - 11:24)
picture with you. I'm going to ask Regent Thomas to go ahead, please. Got it.

[Speaker 2] (11:24 - 13:38)
Tracking. We appreciate that special moment you had in front of us all. No, you care. Thank you all.

All right, next item on the agenda: disposition of minutes. We have the Building Committee meeting from September 16, 2026; Audit and Investment Committee meeting, September 21st, 2026; Workshop meeting, first attempt at Facilities Master Plan, September 22nd, 2026; Board meeting, September 22nd, 2026; and Policy Committee meeting, September 30th, 2026. Second motion from, uh, Regent Cotton, second from Regent Fontenot. Are there any, uh, comments, corrections, or questions on any of the minutes that we've reviewed? Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, no. The meetings that I... the meeting minutes that I just mentioned are all approved.

Next we'll move to report to the chairman. I do not have anything. We'll move to the Building

[Speaker 8] (13:38 - 14:07)
Committee report. Uh, Regent Fontenot? Yes. We met, uh, on Tuesday, and, uh, we, uh, had a, uh, report from Fluger Associates on the, uh, Facilities Master Plan. We also received updates on the ongoing, uh, projects around campus, and we have one item that is on the agenda tonight, which is the purchase of five maintenance vehicles. We'll be voting on that later. All right, thank you. Any

[Speaker 2] (14:07 - 14:10)
questions for the Building Committee report?

[Speaker 6] (14:12 - 15:16)
Move to Policy Committee report. Uh, Regent Hall? Yes. The Policy Committee met on September the 30th and discussed a lot of, all of the policies that are going to come up in our meeting a little bit later. Uh, there were some recommendations that our, our faculty said our policy is better than what they're recommending. That was a new one. But I want to thank the hard work that everyone did that was at the meeting: Dr. Walcerz and all the others that had input, and of course Jacob. We had a wide-ranging discussion. Uh, one of the policies does deal with how we're cleaning up and making a little bit simpler, uh, our appeals process, and so hopefully we'll be reducing there. And I guess you may have some of the specifics when that particular policy comes up. Questions: so when they do come up, please ask questions. We asked a lot of questions. Maybe they got tired of listening to us, but they answered all of them. So thank you, guys and gals.

[Speaker 2] (15:16 - 15:26)
I'm sorry, that's where I'm... There you go. All right. Any, any, uh, questions on that report or any clarification? Thank you. Uh, Audit and Investment Committee report, Regent Jirrels.

[Speaker 10] (15:26 - 16:19)
Yes. The Audit and Investment Committee met on October 12th. We were presented with the quarterly investment report, and electronic copies were distributed to the entire board. The committee reviewed and approved the fiscal year 2026 annual internal audit report for posting on the Lee College website, as required by the Texas Government Code. The committee also reviewed the final audit conducted by former auditor Greg Goings. The audit has not yet been finalized and identified several elevated findings. The audit work will continue under the 2027 internal audit plan. All findings will be included and addressed in the first audit of the 2027 plan. The committee also approved the 2027 internal audit plan, beginning with audits of policy and procedure governance, receiving, shipping and surplus, and vacation accruals. Thank you. Any questions or clarify...

[Speaker 2] (16:19 - 16:26)
Clarification on that report, Jirrels? All right. Next we'll move to report of the president. President Atkin.

[Speaker 1] (16:26 - 19:24)
Thank you, Chairman Santana. Today I would like to start by talking about the Walk to End Alzheimer's that took place on October 3rd. Happy to report that we raised $635 here at the college with eight participants, and the event in total raised over $80,000 with 560 participants. Very excited to participate in that event, and we look forward to future walks starting next year.

Many of you may have seen the report in the Baytown Sun on September 27th featuring several of our students and their artwork. Brianna Trejo and Leila Leah were both highlighted in that article. We're excited about the tremendous talent that we have within the college, and we're very grateful that the Baytown Sun features our students and the successes of the college on such a regular and consistent basis.

We earned the 2026 Bronze Award for Veteran Education Excellence again this year. As an institution, we have committed to supporting our veterans and to ensuring that they get quality education at the end of their service. This work is led in the Veteran Center by Tiffany Winchester, and this type of recognition demonstrates the persistent and continuing commitment by the college to support our veterans.

We had a spectacular event during the Lee College Foundation Gala. The gross receipts were $218,000 from that event. That included $33,000 from the live auction and $9,900 from raffle tickets. The net revenue after all expenses was over $150,000, at $153,000, added to our fundraising for the year. More importantly, we featured several students and departments from across campus this year. We were very pleased with the response from the community, their opportunity to meet and discuss with our students the programs that they're participating in and see that firsthand. Certainly added a little pizzazz to the evening. And our student speaker, Alejandra, was amazing. Did a fantastic job, again highlighting the tremendous talent and amazing journeys of so many of the students that we have here at Lee College.

[Speaker 9] (19:33 - 19:35)
Unfortunately, I don't have that information with me this evening.

[Speaker 1] (19:45 - 23:18)
So the Mont Belvieu campus truly is starting to take shape. As you can see in these pictures, still is coming up and going virtual, uh, going vertical, uh, makes us feel very real and very exciting. We are on pace and on budget for an August 2027 opening. And you can start to see the magnitude and scope of our facility on this property. This is going to be big time for us.

With regard to our Workday implementation, we are still in green status overall. We're 47 percent of the way through the finance and HR implementation. Our target is 51 percent at this point, so we're only four percentage points behind schedule. That is a tremendous accomplishment for us. PTG has mentioned to us that most institutions do not do as well as we do staying on target with implementation, and so I'm very proud of our staff and the hard work that they're doing. Renee can attest to this: September and October are kind of busy months in finance, so, uh, we are slipping into yellow with a little bit of our testing, but we, uh, we have a plan for catch-up as soon as the audit's completed, and, you know, she can get back to doing accounting on a daily basis.

A bit of sad news. Um, Nellie Jenna Vaid Don Juan passed away on October 9th, 2026. Nellie is a former colleague and a loved member of our college family. Her mother, Rosemary de Hoyas, works in our Facilities department currently, so we were, uh, terribly disappointed to hear of her passing, and our prayers and our condolences go out to her family during this difficult time.

You know, I have several members that I would like to recognize for retirement. Edward Bauman, faculty member in instrumentation, has retired after 12 years of service. This is his last semester teaching for the college. Sharon Lockett, faculty in English and humanities, has been with the college for over 21 years. Also, this is her last semester. And difficult to announce this, but Dr. Douglas Walcerz has submitted his retirement date: March 26, 2027. After six years at the college, Dr. Walcerz has played a tremendous role, very integral to the success of the college over the last six years, particularly as it relates to accreditation, reaccreditation, accrediting our new AA program in Huntsville, and really helping to elevate our academic success and open doors for us. He's also committed, before retirement, um, to, uh, get us in a position where we can start offering four-year degrees and a whole bunch of other good stuff. So, but the clock's counting down, but I have every confidence that it will be an amazing six months.

[Speaker 2] (23:19 - 24:14)
Could I just make a comment? Uh, thanks to these folks for their service to the college. I want to point out Ed Bowman, and what's unique about Ed, if you know him, he's, he's a character. He's fun to be around. But what I wanted to point out, other than that, is Ed is an ExxonMobil retiree. He is one of the early ones who retired and looked at what he could give back to the community after retirement and didn't really put a dollar value on it. Most retirees want to go back and make two or three times more than what they were making as an ExxonMobil employee, and Ed, uh, that wasn't critical for him. He wanted to give back and participate. And I just want to... every time I see him, we joke around and we talk. I've known him for 40 years. Uh, he's a great guy. So, and there are others that are with the college as well, but he is one of the ones that did it 12 years ago, and that was

[Speaker 15] (24:14 - 24:19)
that was a challenge back then. He also taught dual credit at Crosby for a while, remember that?

[Speaker 1] (24:22 - 30:00)
We are particularly grateful when we get that level of talent to come and teach at the college. It's a genuine challenge for us to fill positions in these technical fields, and so he will be sorely missed, along with both Sharon and Dr. Walcerz.

We have several upcoming events. November 12th, we have the Service Awards Dinner, which we would like to see as many of you that can make it out to that event as possible. A great opportunity to celebrate the success of our long-term employees. January 27th and 28th, we have Community College Day in Austin. If you have not participated in that, as many of the board that would like to travel to Austin with us are welcome. We also take six or eight students with us. We have meetings with our legislative representatives. We have the opportunity to meet with the Education Committee and with the Appropriations Committee. So these are good opportunities for us to advocate for the college in person with the legislators, and so please come and attend if possible. I would also mention that after the CCAT conference, where our student from Huntsville spoke, there was a specific request from the chairman of TACC that he be in attendance to share that same story with our legislators. And so the impact of that program, the importance of that, is starting to be seen and felt at a much broader scale, and so we're grateful that that is one of the many things that came out of the CCAT conference.

A few other items that might be of interest to you: tomorrow, Huntsville's hosting the Texas Correctional Education Conference on October 22nd. We have the Trunk  or Treat starting at 6 p.m. at 909 Decker. That particular event is becoming incredibly popular within the community. We expect that entire lot, parking lot, to be full and people looking for places to park as they come to participate in that, costume on, and come down and take a look at all of the kids from our community that come onto campus to participate in that event. We're also showing The Phantom of the Opera at 6:30 at the PAC. October 23rd marks the first home game for men's basketball. We will be playing Temple College at 4 p.m. in the arena. Volleyball plays Blinn there at 7 p.m., and I don't know if you're watching the standings, but competition in Region 14 women's volleyball is very tight. If we win a couple of matches, we could end the season as high as second in the region. If we lose one or two, we could slip all the way to seventh and not make the tournament, which we will be hosting. So do-or-die time for women's volleyball. Make sure you come out and support them. And then you can see some of the other events that we have coming up. It's a full slate this fall, as always, and we're excited about all the good things happening at the college.

I already gave you a brief update on here. One thing I will add about men's basketball: we already have two of our athletes that have received full scholarship offers to play at four-year universities. And, uh, just a reminder that last year every one of our athletes graduated and had the opportunity to go on to play at four-year institutions, so we're doing an excellent job helping our athletes to complete their education and to further their academic aspirations.

I have a couple of last-minute items that I did not have a chance to add to the slides. I'd like to announce that we received the Jobs and Education for Texas grant, the JET grant, of $97,000 to be used to expand our welding inspection program. Again, welding is going absolutely gangbusters right now. We can't prepare space quickly enough to meet the demand, and this grant is evidence of that. We also received a CTE grant for $300,000, um, which will help establish new HVAC programs, uh, for the women at Plane State Jail. And so great, great work being done by Academic Affairs and by our grants department in securing this additional funding. Finally, the Ellis Unit horticultural program received second place, um, in the 2026 AAS Display Garden Design Challenge, and so we're excited to see that success continue. And, uh, it's great to just see, uh, wins for the college on all fronts. And that concludes my report. Thank you.

[Speaker 2] (30:02 - 30:14)
Thank you, President Atkin. Any questions on the report? Thank you very much, all great information. Next we'll move to informational reports. We will have report of Lee College resignations and/or retirements, President Atkin.

[Speaker 1] (30:25 - 30:45)
So, um, uh, Kershine Jackson, an advisor for dual credit, uh, resigned after one year of service. Tam Ho, a network specialist, uh, resigned after two years of service. And then I already mentioned the three retirees in my report.

[Speaker 9] (30:49 - 30:54)
Adam on the agenda: financial report. Renee Woodruff, controller. Come on up.

[Speaker 2] (30:57 - 31:15)
To have an entrance song or something, you know? I just... here comes the boom. Money, money, money. Cue that up for next time. Yeah. Evening.

[Speaker 4] (31:19 - 31:59)
We love you. We love you. I'll begin with the, uh, reports on the activity of September, first month of the fiscal year. Our cash and investments were $66.9 million. It was on million over prior year. Seventy-seven percent of it, of the balance, is restricted, 20 percent operating liquid funds, and the 1.8 which is remaining are for construction funds.

[Speaker 2] (32:02 - 32:08)
That was fun. Sorry. Okay, I was trying to lighten you up, that's all.

[Speaker 4] (32:11 - 35:22)
Okay. We'll begin with the revenues. We had $9.3 million, 11 percent of the budget, an increase of $1.7 million over prior year. Our expenses are at $6.9 million, 8 percent of the budget, which is where we should be about this time with one month of operating expenses, netting to a $2.4 million in net revenue. Ended our first month of the fiscal year for the $2.4 total.

Projected net revenue: for our projections at August 31st, remember, this is just one month of activity. The rest of the year is projected based on prior year's activity, so it will fluctuate throughout the year. We're projecting a $1.3 million in revenue favorable balance and under budget on expenses by $2.2 million, netting at a $3.5 million. The revenues' key variances are the tuition and books, sorry, tuition and fees, primarily, of the $1.3 million. And our expenses, or other operating, which is, it can change throughout the year because those are for miscellaneous expenses. Report: there's not much to report on this month.

We ended the fiscal year with a remaining budget of $700,782. There were no financial expenses for the month of September.

Capital projects: I have revised this schedule to show your first column being the remaining budget that we're rolling to the current fiscal year, 2027. So we ended 2026 with $5.9 million. We're rolling it to utilize in FY 27, and then we added the $5.1 million in the '27 budget process. We only had $17,000 in expenses for September. As of September 30th, we have a budget remaining total for both '26 and '27 of $11.1 million.

Restricted funds: we have a total of $5.6 in revenues and a $6.7 in expenses, netting negative $1.1 million. That is primarily because of the direct loans and Pell for the first semester. We still haven't been able to draw down the funds, but we'll, as soon as they're available to be drawn down. Questions? Any

[Speaker 9] (35:22 - 35:34)
questions on our finance report? Okay. Well, thank you very much. Look forward to your entrance song

[Speaker 2] (35:34 - 36:40)
next month.

All right, next item on the agenda is public comment. Do we have anyone signed up to...? No one signed up, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. We will now move to items of action, personnel. We have a consent agenda: consideration of new hires. The administration recommends that the board approve the new hires as presented below. We have Amy Mundy, vice president, external affairs, and executive director of Lee College Foundation; Chelsea McDaniel, chief financial officer and vice president, finance and administration; Dr. Felix Guzman, director, Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography Program; and Marco Garcia, re-entry specialist at Huntsville Center. Got a motion from, uh, Regent, uh, Himsel. Motion, Regent Himsel; second from Regent Jirrels. Any, uh, comments, discussion on the, on this item? Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

[Speaker 9] (36:41 - 36:53)
Aye. Oppose, no. All right, consideration of new hires is approved. New business, uh, first item

[Speaker 2] (36:56 - 37:07)
a review and acceptance of Title IX CEO report. Administration recommends that the board approve the Title IX CEO report for '25-'26 as presented.

[Speaker 9] (37:08 - 37:12)
Have you motion, Regent Warford; second from Regent Jirrels.

[Speaker 1] (37:19 - 37:24)
I wasn't planning on presenting this, but I can comment on it if you'd like. My question was

[Speaker 2] (37:24 - 37:28)
Uh, is it presented? Because that's what we're approving, as presented.

[Speaker 1] (37:29 - 37:34)
Yes. So, in our package, the two attachments are included in the package. Thank you. All right.

[Speaker 2] (37:34 - 38:53)
Motion and a second, whoever it was. David knows, because I said it already. Thank you. Any questions on this item? Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, no. All right, we have reviewed and accepted the Title IX CEO report.

Next item: consideration of approval of modifications to the Huntsville Center rental agreement with Continuum Asset Holdings, LLC. The administration recommends approval of expansion of leased premises as modified in the rental agreement with Continuum Asset Holdings, LLC for the college's Huntsville Center location at 168 Colonel Ethridge Boulevard, Suites C and D, Huntsville, Texas 77340. Move a motion from Regent Hall, second from Regent Warford. Are there any comments or discussion on this item? We're simply growing, right? Renting more, uh, what, a couple thousand more square feet? Uh, yes, that's correct. So it's a

[Speaker 1] (38:53 - 39:02)
multi-office facility. We are, uh, taking, uh, ownership of the suite directly adjacent to our existing

[Speaker 2] (39:02 - 39:53)
space. Thank you. Any other comments or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, no. Approval of modifications to the Huntsville Center rental agreement is approved.

Next item: consideration of adoption of board policy revisions for local policies. The administration and Board Policy Committee recommend that the board approve and adopt the revisions to local board policies as presented and recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards, Update 51 and two other policies. And a motion from Regent Hall, second from Regent Cotton. We need to have a lot of questions, according to Regent Hall, so

[Speaker 7] (39:53 - 40:49)
um, not a bunch, just on, I think it's DGBA, just clarification on it. It was a grievance process, and there was a part in there where termination or termination or midterm termination, something like that. But basically the policy states that it'll no longer come to the board if it reaches that point. Everything will be final at the, at the president level. So I had concerns just because I felt like if it was something of that magnitude, that there might be cause for the board to need to hear, based on my experiences that I've had so far. But I think that he explained that those things would still come to the board.

[Speaker 1] (40:50 - 42:34)
So under this policy, we are only addressing internal disciplinary disputes made by employees. None of those items could lead to mid-term contract termination. There might be disciplinary proceedings for the employee, but no termination. There is one item included in there, uh, a protest for, uh, contract non-renewal. Um, that is included in this policy, right? So if the college elects to not renew the contract of an employee, we would pay it out through August 31st. That employee would not be renewed by the institution. Under the policy as written, those individuals would be able to go through the four-stage appeal process and appeal all the way to the Board of Regents. We are recommending that that be limited to appeal up to the president. In the case of mid-contract termination, right, that's managed under a different policy, and those individuals will always have the right to appeal all the way to the Board of Regents. The only, if this policy is adopted as presented, appeals for contract non-renewal would not come to the board. And so that's the distinguishing difference between, uh, how employment with the institution might be terminated for an employee.

[Speaker 6] (42:36 - 43:00)
And if I'm correct, I would like to add, if a non-renewal situation exists with an employee, they still have the opportunity or the right to come and address the board publicly, and can even request that be behind closed doors for public comment. Am I correct there? That's true. They

[Speaker 1] (43:00 - 43:10)
could elect to make public comment in the open meeting, or they could request to make their public comment in exec, in closed session with the board, but it wouldn't, we wouldn't have the opportunity

[Speaker 7] (43:11 - 43:20)
to change anything. They would just be talking. To be talking. That would be correct. Any...

[Speaker 2] (43:22 - 43:37)
Well, just a clarifying question. Uh, we're talking about grievances as they come up to the president. What about a grievance that starts at the president? Can you give me an example? A direct report of yours files a grievance?

[Speaker 1] (43:38 - 44:01)
Two words: that would still terminate with the president. So again, these are internal disciplinary issues that cannot result in termination. The moment that we would take an issue to mid-contract termination, it now falls under a different policy, which would go from the president directly to the board.

[Speaker 7] (44:05 - 44:13)
It's like the key difference is the term, termination, mid-term termination, or non-contract

[Speaker 2] (44:13 - 44:31)
renewal. They essentially are going to have a job, which, any, it could happen to anyone on any given year at the end of the contract, right? It's a one-year contract. No one's guaranteed a renewal.

[Speaker 6] (44:36 - 44:50)
And in non-renewal, of the contract, will take place generally in March or April when we, to renew or not renew contracts, so there would be an extended period of time.

[Speaker 1] (44:50 - 45:43)
Okay. So we try to renew contracts in the spring. Um, there are certain contracts that we hold back from, uh, that particular process that takes place in the spring. These are generally contracts for employees that have performance-related issues that have yet to be resolved. And so we're not, we're not necessarily always making this decision to non-renew in March or April when we're bringing the majority of contracts to the board for approval. This can sometimes, uh, take all the way up till August if we are working with an employee who is, you know, failing to meet the requirements that would, uh, incentivize the college to extend their contract another year.

[Speaker 6] (45:47 - 46:10)
But they would be notified for a non-renew that they're still... yes, they're not on the list in the spring, then there clearly is a process that's set in place for them to come into compliance, and they have an opportunity, several months of opportunity, to come into compliance. Am I correct, if I'm using the right terminology?

[Speaker 1] (46:12 - 46:49)
Yes, that's correct. Um, there is possibly a scenario where the position just doesn't exist anymore at the end of the contract, you know, programs terminate, it was, you know, a temporary assignment, so it might not typically be associated with the performance of an employee. But for the vast majority of the items that we're talking about, it's going to be for lack of sufficient performance that's resulting in a non-contract renewal. Questions, comments?

[Speaker 2] (46:52 - 47:14)
Occasionally policies are created to correct a deficiency. So apparently we, as a board, had a deficiency, and a policy was created: vacancies and removal from office. Was that to close a gap or better clarify how the procedure is, or it was kind of described that it was to

[Speaker 7] (47:15 - 47:34)
alleviate extensive legal fees, like because if it reaches that level, then there were a lot of legal fees that were exhausted preparing, getting ready for it. In some instances might not even show up, that nature, but I don't think it's happened that often.

[Speaker 9] (47:36 - 47:48)
We had several two years ago. We did not have any last year. Are you speaking to a different policy?

[Speaker 2] (47:48 - 48:05)
I think, I think I'm talking about the policy related to board member vacancies and removal from office. Was that what you were first thing we're talking about? No, no, I'm going back to the one related to board member vacancies and... Do we have a policy before this? Is a new

[Speaker 6] (48:05 - 48:13)
policy. We, but we, it's language changed from our legal counsel, but it didn't really affect anything.

[Speaker 12] (48:13 - 48:48)
Other than, right in front of me. Um, so it is a new policy, a new local policy. We took everything from the legal policy before, and it is part of your handbook, but nothing has changed. It's created strictly from the legal policy and put into it. It wasn't due to something we didn't do correctly or anything like that. They're just recommending that everybody have one. All right, thank you.

[Speaker 2] (48:49 - 50:18)
Any other questions on the policy changes being recommended? I was worried I did something wrong, because it says removal from office. I was thinking, private, secret plan that we put in play. No other... hearing no other comments? Yes. Anything else? All right, hearing none, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, no. All right, the adoption of board policy revisions for local policies has been approved.

Next item: consideration of new associate degree program in sonography. The administration recommends the board authorize the president or his designee to pursue approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs for a new Associate of Applied Science degree program in sonography. Move. And a motion from Regent Fontenot and a second, Regent Warford. Point out, this is for the new program, the Barbers Hill ISD campus, correct? That the Lee College Barbers Hill is the campus. This program will

[Speaker 1] (50:18 - 50:25)
be offered exclusively at the Barbers Hill campus. All right. Any questions or comments on this

[Speaker 2] (50:25 - 51:04)
item? Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, no. The new associate degree program in sonography is approved. Or to go get it.

Next item is consideration of the purchase of five maintenance vehicles from Sillsby Ford. The administration recommends that the board authorize the president or his designee to negotiate final terms and approve the purchase of fleet vehicles for the sum of $184,89[?]. Second. Got a motion, Regent Warford; second from Regent Fontenot.

[Speaker 7] (51:06 - 51:14)
Questions or comments on this item? Y'all have like five vehicles go down at once, like we always buy

[Speaker 8] (51:14 - 51:26)
bulk? No, it's part of the regular cycle. Hopefully we don't wait until they go down. And this is, these are the only five vehicles budgeted for purchase this year, budget.

[Speaker 2] (51:28 - 51:37)
Yeah, yeah, that's a good question. There is a, there's a maintenance cycle and there's a replacement cycle plan, so they're not, they don't all happen in one year, you know. These are just

[Speaker 1] (51:37 - 51:43)
maintenance, not the replacement cycle. This is part of our replacement cycle or the maintenance

[Speaker 2] (51:43 - 51:48)
department. I'm sorry, I meant, I meant the maintenance of replacement, not, not changing oil. Yeah. And, and

[Speaker 1] (51:48 - 52:19)
we are, this is a relatively new plan that we've implemented. The vehicles that we are disposing of are circa 2005, 2006 vehicles, and, uh, to, uh, Regent Fontenot's point, this is all of the purchase for this year. So each year around this time, you should see a similar request come forward, so that our vehicles end up on about a seven-year cycle where we purchase, uh, and replace them once each seven

[Speaker 2] (52:19 - 52:39)
years. Philip, do you have a walk-up song you want to come up? I mean, you look ready to go. I... Are there any detailed questions for, uh, Philip? Anybody have anything? I think it's pretty self-explanatory.

[Speaker 11] (52:39 - 53:08)
In our package. I mean, honestly, if you have any questions, please, uh, that's, this is part of our full life cycles that we actually presented. Uh, I think it's been three years now. Uh, this will be our third year, and we have put everything in actual chronological order so we can have all these vehicles actually placed on a set schedule to actually keep our fleet, fleet at an actual good running condition and working condition for not only our faculty and staff but also

[Speaker 7] (53:08 - 53:14)
everybody within the college. Our vehicles basically maintenance everywhere, like, will there be new

[Speaker 11] (53:14 - 53:34)
additions as we add additional campuses? Uh, that's not something we've discussed at this point. Uh, we have the vehicles, we have fleet vehicles, we have pool vehicles, and then we also have our regular facilities and maintenance vehicles, along with security. They have their own vehicles, and so does IT. I think that is something we need to address. That's something we can't address for next fiscal

[Speaker 2] (53:34 - 53:42)
year. I think at the time of any expansion, and the necessary vehicles that'll be part of the expansion plan, then they'll get into the rotation.

[Speaker 8] (53:45 - 53:48)
One of the many things that we look at at the Building Committee meetings.

[Speaker 2] (53:50 - 55:41)
All right. Go, Silsby Ford. All right, any other comments or questions on this item? Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, no. Motion is approved to purchase five maintenance vehicles from Silsby Ford.

Next item is consideration of approval of ZogoTech software license renewal. The administration recommends that the board authorize the president or his designee to negotiate final terms and approve a three-year contract renewal for ZogoTech totaling $239,157.36. Motion from Warford, second from Regent Jirrels. Clarifying, this is a three-year contract for that total, $79,719 per year, and it's interesting what this software does for us. So, any, uh, questions on this item or any discussion? None. All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, no. We have approved the ZogoTech software license renewal.

Next item is consideration of approval of Oracle PeopleSoft license and technical support services. The administration recommends that the board authorize the president or his designee to negotiate final terms and approve the annual Oracle PeopleSoft support contract in the amount of $218,121.75. So moved. That side of the room is asleep. We got a motion for... no second, Regent Warford.

[Speaker 8] (55:43 - 55:50)
Discussion on this item? This is our last annual contract with PeopleSoft? How many more will it

[Speaker 1] (55:50 - 56:13)
be? We have two more. So this is the last year that we'll be using PeopleSoft finance and HR. Okay, but Student will persist for two more years, uh, until we completely, uh, implement and go live with Workday and in the Student module. So great question. Thank you. Any other discussion on this

[Speaker 2] (56:13 - 57:26)
item? Hearing none, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, no. Approval of Oracle PeopleSoft license and technical support services is approved.

Next item: consideration of the adoption of the 2026-27 tax levy order and resolution. The administration recommends that the board adopt the 2026-2027 tax, thanks, tax levy order and resolution fixing and levying the Lee College District ad valorem maintenance and operations rate of $0.18214 per $100 valuation and a debt service rate of $0.00492 per $100 valuation, for the total combined rate of $0.18706 per $100 valuation for the fiscal year 26-27. Motion from Regent Warford, second from Regent Jirrels. Do you have any, uh, uh, discussion or clarifying information that needs to be presented here?

[Speaker 13] (57:26 - 57:55)
I will say it's very unusual for me not to, uh, agree. I was going to say the same thing, not having a tax reduction. But given what the state has done to us with our money and our applications, I see no choice but to support the same tax rate that we've had. But next year we'll be back, and we're going to look at, uh, what we can do to lower the tax rate again.

[Speaker 8] (57:56 - 58:02)
Excuse me, was that a threat? It's a fact. That was a promise. That's a promise.

[Speaker 6] (58:04 - 58:23)
And I would like to add the same. I was thinking about how I can step up and say that for the first time in a number of years, I have no comment. Well, but by saying no comments, you've made... No, I support, I support the tax. I think, I think

[Speaker 2] (58:23 - 1:01:05)
what's fair is we have had several conversations related to this tax rate, so it's not that there have not been comments or discussion. I think we recognize, uh, the circumstances of this year, the uniqueness of the legislature not holding their end of the bargain for our second year of budgeting, and the challenges we've had. And what's even, makes it more difficult is what we're doing today, what we're doing for our students and our entire community. And, you know, I look at this tax rate, you know, I think we should be very proud of the overall tax rate reduction we've had over the last, you know, eight or nine years, and I think it's been a combination of things. But, uh, you know, holding steady, I think what we're finding is our counterpart, um, with the city is doing exactly the same thing. Uh, they have reduced their rates to the point of, you've heard where, don't let the lines cross. You folks in finance know that, right? Don't, don't let the lines cross. The lines crossed, and so we need to make sure that doesn't happen with that. So I think this is a good step for us this year. All right. Um, any other discussion or comments on this item? Got about 20 minutes back tonight, I'm just telling you, folks. Thank you. All right, hearing none, uh, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, no. All right, the adoption of the 2026-27 tax levy order and resolution is approved. Now, there is a resolution. I was planning to read it, but I'm not, because my tongue is beginning to get twisted, and it basically validates, or just states, everything we just approved.

All right, next item on the agenda. The meeting of the Lee College Board of Regents on the above list of data, after proper posting in accordance with Chapter 551 of the Government Code for the specific purposes provided, will recess from open meeting to closed meeting. No action will be taken while the board is recessed in executive session. Matters of concern for future agendas? Not everyone is here, I'm catching them in the bathroom, so we don't need to hear from anybody. Have a concern for next... any other agendas? All right, hearing none, the next item is to adjourn, and as soon as the rest of the regents get in here, we'll kick off the next meeting.