CCC Trustees Reviews Audit, Advances Key Campus Projects at November Meeting

The Colby Community College Board of Trustees worked through a full agenda Monday evening during its regular meeting on November 17, addressing the annual audit, facilities planning, program agreements, and policy updates while also entering two executive sessions for personnel matters.

The meeting opened with a slight adjustment to the agenda to move the annual audit presentation forward. Auditor Christina Henson of The Loyd Group joined remotely to present findings from the college’s 2024-25 financial review. Henson reported that the college received an unmodified opinion on all components of the audit, the highest rating available. She noted no material weaknesses and no institutional findings.

Henson did highlight two issues commonly seen nationwide this year: delays caused by the federal government shutdown and irregularities within the national student loan database system, which colleges cannot directly control. She also addressed the previously reported payroll irregularities at CCC, stating that college administrators had strengthened internal controls and that the matter is being handled with local authorities. Trustees unanimously accepted the audit.

Following approval of the consent agenda, administrators offered brief monthly reports. Executive Vice President Nikol Nolan told trustees that students are headed into the Thanksgiving break with just six class days and two finals days remaining in the semester, noting a strong slate of campus activities throughout November. Housing projections indicate the college is expected to be near capacity again for the spring term, with new international students already confirmed.

Vice President Justin Villmer, whose report was delivered by President Carter due to a travel plans, expressed gratitude for the business office team’s work in completing the audit during a year of staffing transition. Athletic Director Kenny Hernandez highlighted the start of conference basketball play and the successful debut of the women’s wrestling home tournament, which brought roughly 140 wrestlers to Colby and produced a champion at 207 pounds.

The CCC Foundation reported continued growth of endowed scholarships. With the addition of the Collins and Carter Scholarship and the Mary Herbel Memorial Nursing Scholarship, the college has now created 138 new endowed scholarships since initiating the 60 for 60 campaign. Work is also underway on the C3 Scholar application review process.

In business items, trustees entered two executive sessions. The second session resulted in action, with the board voting to terminate a college associate.

Trustees then reviewed the annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure proposal and the new Board of Trustees onboarding manual, both discussed with no action.

The board approved the disposition of surplus items, including several cattle raised through the agriculture program and older veterinary nursing textbooks deemed outdated after accreditation review.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the dormitory and maintenance shed RFP. Two contractors, QMC and Stephens Construction, submitted proposals, but both bids exceeded the original $6.5 million estimate. QMC’s proposal included roughly 5,500 additional square feet compared to Stephens, prompting questions about differences in room sizes, layout, and overall scope. Trustees approved a special meeting for December 1 at 5 p.m., where both vendors will have an opportunity to present and answer detailed questions before a final decision is made.

Other approvals included a contract with EdSights for a campus website chatbot, revised goals for graduation, retention, and persistence rates, PTA clinical agreements with Gove County Medical Center and Spooner, and a reissuance of the van RFP after no compliant bids were received. The board granted the administration one-time authority to purchase two new vans directly from an online vendor if a compliant local bid is still unavailable.

Board members closed the meeting by expressing appreciation for faculty and staff, noting accomplishments in scholarship growth and athletic success, and wishing the campus community a safe Thanksgiving break.