51³ÉÈËÁÔÆæ

 The Board of Trustees gathered for their June 16th meeting in the President’s Dining Room inside the McAtee Dining Center on the Ark City Main Campus. Trustee Brett Bazil provided the invocation, and Chair Bob McGregor recited the College Mission Statement.

Under Awards and Reports, Cowley President Dr. Michelle Schoon shared that as the spring semester has come to a close a total of 818 recipients collectively earned 905 awards, including degrees and certificates during the fall and spring terms of the 2024-2025 academic year.

Schoon noted upcoming summer events include Sumner Talent Talks (June 17th), Disney’s Frozen Junior Summer Theater Production (July 11-13th), and the 25th Annual Putnam Co. Spelling Bee Summer Theater Production (July 17 -19th).

In addition, Schoon recognized Ryan Doom (newly appointed Humanities Department Chair), and Holly Benton (Distinguished Educator of Personal Finance award from NextGen). Schoon also mentioned the Greater Wichita Sports Commission has announced annual awards. Finalists from Cowley College include Evan Rodriguez (Junior College Male Athlete of the Year) and Laura Bonomi (Junior College Female Athlete of the Year). Coach Steven Gream will receive the Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year Award at the June 26 ceremony.

Trustee Shriver and Dr. Schoon provided a recap of the May 29-31 recent KACC Quarterly Meeting, where members discussed higher education budgets and upcoming legislation.

Under Administrative Reports, Summer Courses and Syllabi were published on Tuesday, April 1st. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the TLC had 2,540 unique visits. Golden Tigers programming wrapped with 276 active participants from 20 different cities and towns taking part in Spring 2025.

No Public Comments.

The Board held a 20-minute executive session to discuss faculty professional negotiations, pursuant to the exception related to employer-employee negotiations. No action followed the executive session.

Under the 2025-2026 Operating Budget, Administration requested approval of the 2025-2026 Proposed Operating Budget of $24,924,257. Action approved by a vote of 8-0.

Under Standing Committee Reports, Trustee White provided a recap of the June 10, 2025 Trustee Academic Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed a new course addition (SOC6805 Mental Wellness and Resilience in Helping Professions). Action approved by a vote of 8-0.

Chair McGregor provided a recap of the June 9th, 2025, Trustee Finance Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed upgrading the Theater Sound System for the amount of $115,170.60 by Sparks Music (to be paid with Capitol Outlay Funds). Action approved by a vote of 8-0.

Trustee Wilson provided a recap of the June 10, 2025, Trustee Policy Subcommittee meeting, where policies 101.00 – Missions and Related Statements (revised) and 135.00 – Campus Visitors (revised) were presented for a first reading. A formal review will be requested at the July Board meeting.

Trustee Marcotte provided a recap of the June 9, 2025, Trustee Sumner County Sales Tax Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed the history of Cowley College in Sumner County and what the future may look like.

The Board moved to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes from the May 19, 2025 regular meeting, Financial Reports, Bills and Claims, Personnel Transactions, and Board Policy Approval of 154.00 – Mail Services (revised), and 462.00 – Assessment and Placement Criteria (revised) by a vote of 8-0.

Under Board Appointments, Chair McGregor requests the Board approve the proposed contract for legal services with J.T. Seitz - Seitz Law Office, LLC as presented. Action approved by a vote of 8-0.

Under Designation of Official Publication and Meeting Dates, Chair McGregor requested the Board of Trustees consider the following dates for official meetings for the 2025-2026 fiscal Year:

2025-2026 Board Meeting Dates

• Monday, July 21, 2025

    -1:00 pm-4:30 pm (Work Session) – McAtee Dining Center, Main Campus

   -6:00 pm (Board Meeting) - McAtee Dining Center, Main Campus

• Monday, August 18, 2025, 6:00 pm – McAtee Dining Center, Main Campus

• Monday, September 15, 2025, 6:00 pm – SEA Center, Mulvane Campus

• Monday, October 20, 2025, 6:00 pm – Short Community Room, Sumner Campus

• Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00 pm – McAtee Dining Center, Main Campus

• Monday, December 15, 2025, 6:00 pm – McAtee Dining Center, Main Campus

• Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 6:00 pm – McAtee Dining Center, Main Campus

• Monday, February 16, 2026, 6:00 pm – McAtee Dining Center, Main Campus

• Monday, March 16, 2026, 6:00 pm – McAtee Dining Center, Main Campus

• Monday, April 20, 2026, 6:00 pm – Short Community Room, Sumner Campus

• Monday, May 18, 2026, 6:00 pm – McAtee Dining Center, Main Campus

• Monday, June 15, 2026, 6:00 pm – McAtee Dining Center, Main Campus

Action approved by a vote of 8-0.

Under Designation of Depositories, it was recommended that the College continue to use Union State Bank, RCB Bank, Sunflower Bank/Wichita, and Carson Bank/Mulvane as official depositories, and utilize all qualified institutions in Cowley County for the investment of idle funds. Action approved by a vote of 8-0.

The Board held a 20-minute executive session to discuss the President’s annual evaluation, pursuant to the exception related to non-elected personnel. No action followed the executive session.

With no other business to discuss, Chair McGregor declared the meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.

For more details, see the agenda.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu