MHCC Board of Education Minutes: Session 1113

A meeting of the Mt. Hood Community College District Board of Education was held November 20, 2024, with an Executive (Closed) Session at 6:00 p.m., and a Regular Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. The Executive (Closed) Session was held in the President’s Office, Academic Center Building, Room 2350 and the Regular Board meeting was held in the Board Room, Academic Center, Room 2360, at Mt. Hood Community College, 26000 SE Stark Street, Gresham, Oregon, and via Zoom.

Session 1113

1.0 Convene Executive (Closed) Session

Members Present: Diane McKeel, board chair, Diane Noriega, Marie Teune, Dana Stroud, Andrew Speer, board vice chair, Annette Mattson, ShaToyia Bentley
Members Absent: None
Additional Attendees: Dr. Skari, president, Jennifer DeMent, vice president, Finance and Administration, Terry Rogers, associate vice president, Human Resources, Ross Hume, director, Labor and Employee Relations

Chair Diane McKeel called the executive (closed) session to order at 5:59 p.m.

2.0 President’s Evaluation

The board convened in a closed executive session in accordance with ORS 192.660(2)(d) to conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to carry on labor negotiations AND in accordance with ORS 192.660(2)(e) to deliberate with persons designated by the governing body to negotiate real property transactions.

3.0 Adjourn Executive Session

The executive session was adjourned at 6:37 p.m.

4.0 Convene Regular Session/ Call to Order/ Declaration of Quorum

Members Present: Diane McKeel, board chair, Andrew Speer, board vice chair, Diane Noriega, Marie Teune, Dana Stroud, Annette Mattson, ShaToyia Bentley
Members Absent: None
College Representatives: Dr. Skari, president, Roxanne Richardson, board executive assistant, John Hamblin, vice president, Student Development, Jennifer Boehmer, vice president, Advancement and Community Engagement, Jennifer DeMent, vice president, Finance and Administration, John Hasegawa, Full Time Faculty Association (FTFA) President, Peyton Hull, president, ASMHCC
Additional Attendees: None

Chair Diane McKeel called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. and declared a quorum was present.

4.1 Approval of Agenda

Chair Diane McKeel called for a motion to approve the November 20, 2024 agenda. Diane Noriega motioned to approve the agenda and Annette Mattson seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote:

• Diane McKeel – Yes
• Andrew Speer – Yes
• Annette Mattson – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes
• ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
• Dana Stroud – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes

5.0 Public Input

There was public comment provided by:

• Greg Gomez – Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
• Kim Penuel – Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
• Tiffany Davis on behalf of another CEA member (anonymous)– Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
• Graham Phillips – Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
• Chris Sadler – Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
• Amy Salsbery – Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
• Leslie Yates – Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
• Sarah Aimone – Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
• Jennifer Hare – Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
• Michael Flores – Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
• Jose Gamero-Georgeson – OSBA Board of Directors Position 19 Nominee Statement - online

6.0 Reports

6.1 Correspondence
There was no correspondence.

7.0 Business/ Action

7.1 Consent Agenda:  Approvals & Information                                            

• Minutes – Board Work Session 1111, October 2, 2024
• Minutes – Board Regular Session 1112, October 16, 2024
• Monthly Personnel Report
• Monthly Financial Report
• Monthly Head Start Report

Chair Diane McKeel called for a motion to approve the November 20, 2024 consent agenda.    Diane Noriega motioned to approve the agenda and Andrew Speer seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote:

• Diane McKeel – Yes
• Andrew Speer – Yes
• Annette Mattson – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes
• ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
• Dana Stroud – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes

7.2 OSBA 2024 Elections

Dana Stroud motioned to approve Katrina Doughty for Oregon School Board Association (OSBA) Board of Directors Position 17. ShaToyia Bentley seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote:

• Diane McKeel – Yes
• Andrew Speer – Yes
• Annette Mattson – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes
• ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
• Dana Stroud – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes

There will be no election for the OSBA Board of Directors Position 18 this year.

Dana Stroud motioned to approve Jose Gamero-Georgeson for OSBA Board of Directors Position 19. Diane Noriega seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote:

• Diane McKeel – Yes
• Andrew Speer – Yes
• Annette Mattson – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes
• ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
• Dana Stroud – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes

Dana Stroud motioned to approve OSBA Resolution 1, which amends the OSBA dues schedule. ShaToyia Bentley seconded the motion. There was board discussion about OSBA Resolution 1. Andrew Speer withdrew their motion to approve OSBA Resolution 1. The motion carried by the following vote:

• Diane McKeel – Yes
• Andrew Speer – No
• Annette Mattson – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes
• ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
• Dana Stroud – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes

Dana Stroud motioned to approve OSBA Resolution 2, which creates the Oregon School Board Members PRIDE Caucus and designate a seat on the OSBA Board of Directors and Legislative Policy Committee. Annette Mattson seconded the motion. There was board discussion about OSBA Resolution 2. The motion carried by the following vote:

• Diane McKeel – Yes
• Andrew Speer – Yes
• Annette Mattson – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes
• ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
• Dana Stroud – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes

Dana Stroud motioned to approve OSBA Resolution 3, which adopts the proposed amendment to the OSBA Bylaws. Diane Noriega seconded the motion. There was board discussion about OSBA Resolution 3. The motion carried by the following vote:

• Diane McKeel – Yes
• Andrew Speer – Yes
• Annette Mattson – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes
• ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
• Dana Stroud – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes

7.3 Head Start Selection and Enrollment Policy Second Reading

Jennifer DeMent presented the second reading of the Head Start Selection and Enrollment Policy for a board vote and approval. Andrew Speer motioned to approve the Head Start Eligibility Policy. Dana Stroud seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote:

• Diane McKeel – Yes
• Andrew Speer – Yes
• Annette Mattson – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes
• ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
• Dana Stroud – Yes
• Marie Teune – Yes

8.0 Board Member and Committee/ Liaison Reports

Board members discussed and provided feedback on the next work session and regular board meeting agendas for December 2024 and shared their reports of board committee and liaison activity since the last board meeting. In addition, board members who attended the Association for Community College Trustees (ACCT) Leadership Congress October 2024 and/ or the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) Annual Conference November 2024 shared their experiences and things learned.

9.0 Closing Reports

9.1 ASMHCC Representative
Peyton Hull (Newly Elected ASMHCC President) – Hull highlighted exciting events and news happening with ASMHCC to include the Barney Boo Bash that was a tremendous success, with 951 in attendance, made up of both students and community members. ASMHCC student leaders also held a Civic engagement event with President Skari, with 100 students in attendance. In addition, Barney’s Pantry has been moved to the new Equity and Community Resource Center (ECRC).

9.2 Advisory Representatives
John Hasegawa (FTFA) – Hasegawa highlighted that this group is looking at Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as Chat GPT and Copilot, and studying the potential impact that it might have on their work and in the classroom. An action team group at the college has been formed to take a closer look at AI and has been offering trainings to faculty staff. Hasegawa thanked Traci Simmons for purchasing 16 copies of the book titled, Grading for Equity, for faculty to use to update their curriculum to be more inclusive. Hasegawa stated that faculty will study the text over a ten-week period, and upon this, will work together to try to figure out different ways to implement strategies in the classroom, by spring term 2025. Last, Hasegawa handed out a flyer for the student holiday ceramics sale.
Michael Flores (CEA) – Flores did not attend.
Marilyn Pitts (PTFA) – Pitts did not attend.

9.3 Executive Leadership
John Hamblin (Student Development) – Hamblin highlighted that their Career Fair, held October 30, 2024, had approximately 400 students in attendance and 50 employers, which is the largest fair in seven years, and an 82% increase over last year. Hamblin also thanked Jennifer McNeil for their hard work putting the event together to connect MHCC with the community.
Tina Redd (Instruction) – Redd did not attend.
Jennifer DeMent (Administrative Services) – DeMent had no additional updates to report.
Jennifer Boehmer (Advancement & Community Engagement) –Boehmer shared that the Foundation Board has a new board member, Doug Clark, the General Manager at ONSemiconductor, and that the Foundation will be holding their winter reception December 4, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. and all are invited.

9.4 President’s Report
President Skari provided their President’s Report to the Board, opening by providing clarification that the college has a practice of operating under the status quo when bargaining agreements and while there is not a new contract, it does not mean that employees are working without a contract. While CEA members have not received a Cost of Living (COLA) increase, they are still eligible to receive their normal stop increases. Next, President Skari recognized board member Dana Stroud for developing a Chatbot for the Board. The Board Chatbot is still in development, to make sure all things are accounted for to provide the most accurate information. Following, President Skari discussed that MHCC was well represented at the OCCA conference November 2025, with 25% of the presentations having a MHCC college employee or board member presenting, and in general, 20% of the presenters were from community colleges. President Skari shared that the Foundation announced the awarding of $945,000 in scholarships so far this year and additional funding associated with Pre-School for All will put the college up over the 1 million dollar mark this year. In closing, President Skari reported that college enrollment is still up, sitting just under 5% for the year, which includes all of summer, fall, and a portion of the coming winter, and overall, the credit-bearing courses are up 9.5% and the revenue forecast came out today, and it is better than it’s been and better than predicted, but it is expected that there will be a conservative approach to the session this year.

10.0 Adjournment

There being no further business, Chair Diane McKeel called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Diane Noriega motioned to adjourn. Andrew Speer seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.