The Neosho County Community College Board of Trustees on Thursday approved its annual audit, accepted several policy updates and received reports on personnel changes, enrollment trends and ongoing transportation issues.
Trustees approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the Oct. 8 meeting, October disbursement claims, an updated job description for the director of outreach and workforce development for the northern service area, and personnel actions.
Robin Goodreau-Meyer resigned as admissions specialist effective Nov. 12 and was hired the next day as director of outreach and workforce development for the northern service area.
The board received the fiscal year 2024– 2025 audit, marking the 23rd consecutive year with no financial findings. Trustees recognized Vice President for Business Services Sandi Solander and her staff for the achievement.
One minor issue was noted on the financial aid side, though officials said the impact was minimal and has already been corrected. Staff credited the financial aid and registration teams for navigating a complex and labor-intensive process.
Trustees later voted to approve the audit report through Resolution 2025-60.
The board approved several policy revisions presented last month for first reading. The changes update the language to reflect current practices. The approved policies include: Use of College Facilities, Installment Payment and Deferment Plan, Health Insurance, and NCCC Healthy Lifestyle.
Trustees also held a first reading on a minor revision to the policy concerning required notification of pending criminal charges or serious driving infractions. The update changes only one word related to the internal source of the procedure.
Inbody reported that the college’s 36-passenger minibus broke down again, this time in Garnett. The vehicle has experienced repeated issues and has spent months out of service, often requiring the college to rent charter buses. Charter transportation cost the college about $148,000 last year.
Because many athletic teams exceed the capacity of the minibus, staff recommended shifting to a lease-to-own agreement for a 57-passenger bus. Operating costs are estimated at about $3.50 per mile, significantly less than charter rates of $4.65 to $5 per mile.
The minibus, valued at only $20,000 for trade-in, would be retained for short-range trips.
Staff will seek sealed bids for the larger bus, which will be presented at the December board meeting. The listed price is $248,000, and lease payments would be funded through the vehicle replacement and charter budgets.
Senior staff selected Dr. Haley Kepley, nursing instructor in Chanute, as the monthly service award winner. An anonymous student praised her dedication and described an incident in which Kepley personally returned to campus on a Sunday to help the student access the library.
Dr. Robb secured $9,882 in Carl Perkins funding to purchase a scissor lift for the construction program.
Enrollment for fall remains about 4% below the same point in 2024, and overall annual enrollment is down about 5% compared to this week last year. Inbody noted that wide fluctuations are typical this early in the spring and winter mini-enrollment cycle.
The meeting adjourned. The board will meet next at 9 a.m. Dec. 10 in the Oak room at Neosho County Community College.
