Board Minutes - December 8, 2025 - Western Iowa Tech Community College

Date: December 8, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: WITCC Sioux City Campus, Board Room A507

WITCC Mission

We elevate our diverse learners and strengthen our communities through inclusive and innovative education.

Board Members

Brenda Wright, Board Secretary

Administration

Terry Murrell, College President | Troy Jasman, VP of Finance and Administrative Services | Erin Volk, Vice President of Learning | Frank Arpan, Vice President of Student Success | Darin Moeller, Executive Dean of Instruction | Jackie Plendl, Dean of Human Resources | Tawnya Beermann, Dean of Students | Christina Brandon, Dean of Outreach and Information Technology | Revathi Vongsiprasom, Dean of Opportunity and Engagement

Presenters

Carmen Wilson, Associate Dean – Corporate College | Mike Brown, Athletic Director

Items

Brenda Wright, Board Secretary called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.

Brenda reviewed the Abstract of Votes from Woodbury County for Districts I, II, III, V, and VIII for the Regular School Board Election held on November 4, 2025.

Brenda asked the newly elected board members to come foreword to be sworn in. All newly elected board members were sworn in. District I – Justin Daale District II – Brad Griffin District III – Hanna Reinders District V – Tricia Sutherland District VIII – Russell Wray

Brenda Wright then asked for a nomination for the Board President position. Tricia Sutherland nominated Linnea Fletcher as President of the Board. Jeremy Ogle seconded the nomination. All were in favor and motion carried. Jeremy Ogle then nominated Tricia Sutherland as Vice President of the Board. Linnea Fletcher seconded the nomination. All were in favor and the motion carried.

President Fletcher then assumed the chair as President.

Linnea Fletcher asked for a nomination for the Community Colleges for Iowa Representative and an Alternate. Jeremy nominated Tricia Sutherland. And Brad Griffin seconded the nomination. Tricia Sutherland nominated Jeremy Ogle as the Alternate. Russ Wray seconded the nomination. All were in favor of both nominations. Motion carried.

Linnea then asked to Elect the Audit and Finance Committee members. Brad Griffin nominated Jeremy Ogle. Jeremy Ogle nominated Russ Wray. Tricia Sutherland nominated Hanna Reinders. Erin Muck seconded the nominations. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Linnea Fletcher asked for Oral Communications to be brought to the Board. Dave Bernstein spoke asking for transparency and presented concerns of the insurance claim and the J1 lawsuits. He would like to see board packet available to the public.

Linnea Fletcher reviewed the Written Communications from Allen College.

Linnea Fletcher opened the Public Hearing for the Entrance 3 and 4 Paving Improvements Project. No concerns were presented. Linnea then closed the Public Hearing.

Linnea Fletcher asked for a motion to approve the Consent Items. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Erin Muck. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Mike Tramp and Tim Dutcher presented the audit for KWIT. We received an unmodified opinion. This is the highest rating that we can receive. Tricia Sutherland made a motion to approve the KWIT audit. It was seconded by Russ. All were in favor and motion carried.

Mike Tramp and Tim Dutcher presented the audit for WITCC. We received an unmodified opinion. This is the highest rating that we can receive. Tim and Mike reviewed the audit packet. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Brad Griffin. All were in favor and motion carried. Terry also thanked the College for helping with the audit.

Frank Arpan and Mike Brown presented the Athletics Report. They reviewed the different teams and their stats. The athletic teams are growing engagement with the community by participating in community events and activities. Frank also talked about how they are working on the budget for the Athletic program. They also want to focus on recruiting locally.

Troy Jasman and Christina Brandon presented the Identity Theft Report. Christina reviewed the partners that we work with to keep up with the cyber security changes.

Troy Jasman and Carmen Wilson reviewed the New Job Training Program Financings Annual Report. Carmen explained the different 260 programs and the New Job Training Program (NJTP).

Troy Jasman then presented the WITCC Cherokee Campus Chiller Replacement Project Closeout. Russ Wray made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Hanna Reinders. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Darin Moeller and Carmen Wilson presented the Corporate College Report. Darin thanked Carmen and her team and all the impact her staff has had with the community. Carmen talked about the various trainings that her team facilitates. Carmen thanked her staff for their dedication to providing training to our community.

Darin and Carmen also presented a 260G Accelerated Career Education (ACE) Nursing Agreement with Burgess Health Center. They will be sponsoring 10 of 34 seats. Russ Wray made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Hanna Reinders. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Darin and Carmen also presented a 260G Accelerated Career Education (ACE) Nursing Agreement with Unity Point – St. Luke’s. They will be sponsoring 14 of 34 seats. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Hanna Reinders. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Christina Brandon and Tawnya Beerman prosed the purchase of Security Camera Equipment. Christina talked about the need for an update in the security cameras. Tawnya talked about what these 46 cameras will do to help with campus safety. These will be compatible with our current system. Tricia Sutherland made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Christina and Tawnya then proposed a purchase of Ellucian Smart Plan. This will enhance our current product in Colleague. This will make the student experience better. Smart Plan and Smart Award will bring efficiencies with interacting with students. Tricia Sutherland made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Erin Muck. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Linnea Fletcher presented a Contract with ACCT for to assist with the President Search. Russ Wray made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Linnea also presented the President Search Screening Committee Proposal. These people will help in the search with ACCT to find the next WITCC President. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Hanna Reinders. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Linnea then presented the proposed timeline for the President Search. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve the timeline. Hanna Reinders seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Tricia Sutherland gave a report for the Community Colleges for Iowa Update. They have not had a meeting since our last board meeting. But they did have the Tradeshow last week. Heard that it was a great success. We ad 12 staff/faculty that attended.

Terry Murrell gave a President Report. He invited the Board to attend the Employee Holiday Brunch Reception on December 23, from 9:00 – 11:00 am in the Overlook Café. Terry also talked about an IJAG (state organization to help colleges and high schools with retention) opportunity. They reached out to us. They would like to have someone in the Sioux City area. It would be a joint position with IJAG. $25,000 grant for first 12 years. Terry also proposed moving the February Board Retreat from February to August. There were no objections.

Linnea addressed the issue of Early Retirement. The Board heard the views from the September board meeting. As a Board, it was decided to propose an early retirement every other year. Next one would be in 2027.

Jeremy Ogle made a motion to adjourn. Russ Wray seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:37 pm.

The next regular scheduled board meeting will be Monday, January 12, 2026, at 4:00 pm on the Sioux City campus in the Boardroom.