MHCC Board of Education Minutes: Session 1117
A meeting of the Mt. Hood Community College District Board of Education was held on January 15, 2025, with a Regular Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m., held in the Board Room (AC 2360) at Mt. Hood Community College, 26000 SE Stark Street, Gresham, Oregon, and via Zoom.
Session 1117
1.0 Convene Regular Session / Call to Order / Declaration of Quorum
- Members Present: Diane McKeel, board chair, Andrew Speer, board vice chair, Annette Mattson, Marie Teune, ShaToyia Bentley, Diane Noriega, Dana Stroud
- Members Absent: None
- College Representatives: Dr. Skari, president, Roxanne Richardson, board executive assistant, Tina Redd, vice president, Instruction, 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, Michael Flores, Classified Education Association (CEA) President, Marilyn Pitts, Part Time Faculty and Tutors Association (PFTA) President, Peyton Hull, president, ASMHCC
- Additional Attendees: Jeremy Wright, president, Wright Public Affairs, Kristin Diggs, partner, Eide Bailly LLP, Karen Smith, senior policy advisor & general counsel, Oregon Community College Association (OCCA)
Chair Diane McKeel called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. and declared a quorum was present.
1.1 Approval of AgendaChair Diane McKeel called for a motion to approve the January 15, 2025 agenda. Vice Chair Andrew Speer motioned to approve the agenda and Diane Noriega seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote:
- Andrew Speer – Yes
- Annette Mattson – Yes
- Marie Teune – Yes
- ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
- Diane McKeel – Yes
- Diane Noriega – Yes
- Dana Stroud – Yes
2.0 Public Input
There was public comment provided by:- Sue O’Halloran – MHCC Bond – in person
- Peyton Hull – MHCC Bond – in person
- Holly Wheeler on behalf of another CEA member (anonymous)– Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
- Glenda Suchi – CCR&R redline wages – in person
- Monica Weathersby – MHCC hiring language – in person
- Sarah Aimone – Classified Employees Association bargaining – in person
3.0 Reports
3.1 Correspondence
President Skari announced that January is Oregon School Board Association (OSBA) Board Recognition Month and thanked MHCC board members for the work they do to support the college.
4.0 Business/ Action
4.1 Consent Agenda: Approvals & Information- Minutes – Board Work Session 1114, December 4, 2024
- Minutes – Board Regular Session 1115, December 11, 2024
- Monthly Personnel Report
- Monthly Financial Report
- Monthly Head Start Report
- Resolution to Transfer Budgeted Appropriations
Noriega motioned to approve the agenda and Dana Stroud seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote:
- Andrew Speer – Yes
- Annette Mattson – Yes
- Marie Teune – Yes
- ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
- Diane McKeel – Yes
- Diane Noriega – Yes
- Dana Stroud – Yes
4.2 Receive Comprehensive Annual Financial Report by Audit Committee & Audit Corrective Action Plan Jennifer DeMent and Kristin Diggs went over the college’s annual comprehensive financial audit report, which included an overview of audit process, results of the audit, and the audit corrective action plan moving forward, and answered questions from the Board.
Chair Diane McKeel called for a motion to approve the Audit Corrective Action Plan. ShaToyia Bentley motioned to approve the Audit Corrective Action Plan and Annette Mattson seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote:
- Andrew Speer – Yes
- Annette Mattson – Yes
- Marie Teune – Yes
- ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
- Diane McKeel – Yes
- Diane Noriega – Yes
- Dana Stroud – Yes
4.3 Bond Second Reading
Jennifer DeMent presented the Bond Second Reading along with Jeremy Wright, sharing edits that have been made to bond language and seeking feedback from the Board, prior to the vote, to move the MHCC bond measure forward to be placed on the May 20, 2025 special election ballot. Further review and updates may be made to the bond language prior to ballot placement.
- Andrew Speer – Yes
- Annette Mattson – Yes
- Marie Teune – Yes
- ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
- Diane McKeel – Yes
- Diane Noriega – Yes
- Dana Stroud – Yes
4.4 Bond Do’s and Don’ts
Karen Smith from OCCA provided a high-level overview of Bond Do’s and Don’ts, presenting on political activities and what is allowed and prohibited for public employees and board members. Specifics on employee types, timing of activities, use of personal vs public resources, and enforcement of rules were discussed and questions from the Board were answered. Karen Smith will provide a manual of additional resources for distribution to the Board for further support.
Vice Chair Andrew Speer presented the OCCA College Board Resolution – 2025 Community College Legislative Priorities to the Board for consideration and approval.
Chair Diane McKeel called for a motion to approve the OCCA College Board Resolution – 2025 Community College Legislative Priorities. Diane Noriega motioned to approve the OCCA College Board Resolution – 2025 Community College Legislative Priorities and Annette Mattson seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote:
- Andrew Speer – Yes
- Annette Mattson – Yes
- Marie Teune – Yes
- ShaToyia Bentley – Yes
- Diane McKeel – Yes
- Diane Noriega – Yes
- Dana Stroud – Yes
5.0 Board Member and Committee/ Liaison Reports
Board members discussed and provided feedback on the next month’s regular session and board retreat meeting agendas for February 2025 and shared their reports of board committee and liaison activity since the last board meeting.
6.0 Closing Reports
6.1 ASMHCC RepresentativePeyton Hull (ASMHCC Vice President and current acting President) – Hull highlighted several events and exciting things happening in their area including the Legislative Breakfast, grand opening of the Equity and Community Resource Center (ECRC), Stalking Awareness event, and textbook scholarships that were awarded to 15 students.
6.2 Advisory Representatives- John Hasegawa (FTFA) – Hasegawa stated the FTFA is ready to support bond efforts, that they stand with classified staff in getting their contract finalized, and provided an update on the faculty group reading the text, Grading for Equity, and shared the work they are doing surrounding this, including planning an event to bring the author to campus.
- Michael Flores (CEA) – Flores shared the CEA is prepared to step in and help with the bond process and that they are going to contract mediation tomorrow and their priority is to settle the contract.
- Marilyn Pitts (PTFA) – Pitts shared that they support the CEA in efforts to settle and get a fair contract and that next week the PTFA is hosting their winter open house and encouraged board members to stop by.
- John Hamblin (Student Development) – Hamblin had no additional updates to report.
- Tina Redd (Instruction) – Redd had no additional updates to report.
- Jennifer DeMent (Administrative Services) – DeMent had no additional updates to report.
- Jennifer Boehmer (Advancement & Community Engagement) –Boehmer had no additional updates to report.
6.4 President’s Report
President Skari provided their President’s Report to the board and opened stating that enrollment is currently sitting up for the year at a little below 4% and for winter term, thus far, credit tuition bearing courses are up over 8%. Next, President Skari read a written statement to the Board about the significance of the Boards action on the bond thanking them for their commitment to MHCC college faculty and staff.
Chair Diane McKeel discussed coming school district and city council bond presentations and additional opportunities for board engagement related to the bond.
7.0 Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Diane McKeel called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Andrew Speer motioned to adjourn. Diane Noriega seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Prepared by:
Roxanne Richardson, Board Executive Assistant
Minutes approved on Feb. 19, 2025 - RR