Board Minutes - March 9, 2026 - Western Iowa Tech Community College

March 9, 2026
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: WITCC Sioux City Campus, Board Room A507
Agenda

WITCC Mission

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

Board Members

Absent: Brad Griffin

Brenda Wright, Board Secretary

Administration

Terry Murrell, College President | Troy Jasman, VP of Finance and Administrative Services | Erin Yolk, 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

Holly Olson, College Now Administrative Program Coordinator | Nikki Wilkerson, College Now Specialist

Items

Meeting was called to order at 4:00 by Linnea Fletcher

Brenda Wright took the Roll Call of Directors

No Oral Communications were brought forward.

No Written Communications were presented to the board.

Jeremy made a motion to approve the consent items. Erin Muck seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Terry Murrell presented a resignation letter from Board Member, Brad Griffin, District II. This resignation was effective February 9, 2026. A Notice of Board Vacancy was published in the Sioux City Journal and also the Cherokee Chronicle Times. Russ Wray made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle. All were in favor and the motion carried..

Terry arso presented a letter of interest to appoint a Board Member for District II. Gary Jordan, CEO of Cherokee Regional Medical Center in Cherokee submitting a letter of interest. Gary has been involved with the Cherokee Promise and Western Iowa Tech Community College. Erin Muck made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Justin Deale. All were in favor and the motion carried. Brenda Wright swore in Gary Jordan as the Appointed Board member for District II.

Darin Moeller introduced Holly Olson and Nikki Wilkerson. Darin wanted to recognize Holly and Nikki for all of their hard work they've done to grow the College Now program. Holly gave an overview of the College Now program. Twenty-six high schools took WITCC classes. Fifteen of which offered classes at the high school. Nikki talked about the different ways they have improved upon to help advise high school students. Darin then presented the proposed 2026-2027 College Now contract. There is a two percent increase. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Hanna Reinders. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Darin Moeller and Christina presented an updated to a previous purchase approval for Networking/Cyber Security Equipment. Due to supply chair issues, the prices quoted could not be honored by the vendors. We negotiated with our supplies and they worked with us to get the best new price. These new quotes can be covered by 3 and 6 cent levy funds. Erin Muck made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Tricia Sutherland. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Darin Moeller presented the Instructional Program Report He talked about some program modifications, a program deactivation, and some possible future new programs. Tricia Sutherland made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Justin Daale. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Troy Jasman and Darin Moeller presented the FY27 Tuition, Fees, and Other Charges. Troy brought forward a tuition and fees proposal for the 26-27 academic year. We are recommending a $5 per credit hour increase for tuition. We still expect to be the lowest in state. Out-of-state tuition would also increase. $5. ICCOC does not know the new tuition, we ask that we agree with whatever they decide. Matriculation fee will increase to help pay for mental health services for students. Even with these increases, we still expect to be the second lowest tuition/fee in the state. No change in non-credit tuition. Increase book costs by $2 per semester. We are still saving students money by using the online books. Housing meal plan would increase as well. Darin talked about course fee changes. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Hanna Reinders. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Troy Jasman presented a proposed project bids for the Entrance 3 - 4 Paving Improvements Project. Troy explained that this sidewalk is old and has many uneven sections causing trip hazards. We received a lot of bids for the project. Our architects reviewed each bid. Russ Wray made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Justin Daale. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Frank Arpan and Revathi Vongsiprasom presented board policy updates for a Second Reading. Jeremy Ogle made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Erin Muck. All were in favor and all motion carried.

Erin Volk presented the Federal Funding Profile report. This is a summary of all federal aid that comes into the college.

Troy Jasman asked the board for permission to publish the Proposed Budget for FY27. The administrative recommendation is to publish the FY27 Budget in the Sioux City Journal on March 24, 2026, and to hold the public hearing at the Board meeting on April 13, 2026, at 4:00 pm, WITCC, 38491 Hwy. 175 North, Mapleton, Iowa, with the certification to be completed prior to April 30, 2026. In case of inclement weather, a telephonic Board meeting will be held on April 14, 2026, in room A507 Kiser Building, Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City, Iowa.
Tricia Sutherland made a motion to approve and it was seconded by Jeremy Ogle. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Tricia Sutherland gave an updated for the Community Colleges for Iowa meeting. She attended the PTK awards banquet. The CCFI meeting was held the next day. They talked about the Summer Trustee conference in July. It will be held in Marshalltown this year. More information to come. They also discussed the baccalaureate degree option that passed the Iowa House.

Terry Murrell gave an updated on the President Report baccalaureate degree option for community colleges. This has passed the house and will now go to the Senate. The bill regarding 260e programs has not had any movement. Probably next month.

Russ Wray made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Tricia Sutherland. All were in favor and the motion carried.

The next regular scheduled board meeting will be Monday, April 13, 2026, at 4:00 pm on the Mapleton, Iowa campus in the Boardroom.