In accordance with Arkansas Act 93 of 1967, this notice serves to inform the public that members of the North Arkansas College Board of Trustees may attend a budget study session on Thursday, April 3rd at 2:00 p.m. in the Bennie Ellis board room. No action will be taken.
Budget Study Session
Agenda
Board of Trustees Meeting
April 10, 2025
3 p.m.
Bennie Ellis Board Room
This is a reminder that the North Arkansas College Board of Trustees will meet in person on Thursday, April 10 at 3 p.m. in the Bennie Ellis Board Room.
Call to Order — Luke Feighert
Approval of Agenda — Luke Feighert
Regular Reports
- Finance Report — Richard Stipe
- President's Report — Dr. Rick Massengale
Consent Agenda — Luke Feighert
- March regular meeting minutes
- Revised policy: Children and Minors on Campus
- New Hire: Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Replacement position: Director of Educational Talent Search - grant funded
- Replacement position: Construction Technology Instructor
Executive Session
Pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act 25-19-106 (c) (1) Executive Sessions will be permitted only for the purpose of considering employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining, or resignation of any public officer or employee.
New Business
- FY 2025-2026 Proposed Tuition and Fee Rates
- FY 2025-2026 Proposed Budget
Adjournment
Minutes
Board of Trustees
April 10, 2025
The North Arkansas College Board of Trustees met in regular session on Thursday 10, April 2025 in the Bennie Ellis board room. Chair Feighert called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Trustees Don Tomlinson, Linda Pledger, Jon Burnside, Pam Henry, Jason Patience, Chris McNew, Bob Mouser, and Debbie Johnson were present.
North Arkansas College personnel attending included Dr. Rick Massengale, Richard Stipe, Tavonda Brown, Micki Somers, Nell Bonds, Dr. Matt Cardin, Teresa Paul, Jo Adams, Ryan Hoffman, Dr. Ricky Tompkins, Jeff Smith, Dr. Rodney Arnold.
Approval of Agenda
Chair Feighert asked if there were any changes to the agenda as presented. There being none a motion was made, unanimously approved.
Regular Reports
Finance Report: Richard Stipe shared E&G and Auxiliary budget activities through March 2025.
In the E&G fund, Richard Stipe stated the total monthly revenue was $715,180, and the expenditures ended at $1,069,962. The year-to-date total of revenues was $14,534,389, and expenses were $12,674,712. Richard said the revenues are slightly above last year's, and the expenditures are tracking as expected.
Auxiliary: The month's revenue totaled $56,454, and the expenditures totaled $279,803. The year-to-date revenues were $1,927,252, and expenses were $1,700,431. Richard stated the revenue is at the budget line that doesn’t include transfers in.
President's Report: Dr. Massengale discussed an ongoing collaboration between North Arkansas College, the Clinton School District, the Clinton Municipal Airport, and industry partner Dawson Aircraft. The goal of this partnership is to develop a hands-on training program that equips individuals with the skills needed to inspect, troubleshoot, service, and repair aircraft components and systems. The program is currently in development and is scheduled to launch for high school seniors’ next fall. Once all necessary approvals are secured, the curriculum will be implemented.
Trustee Burnside asked Dr. Massengale how many students he expected to enroll in the program. Dr. Massengale responded that approximately eleven students from Clinton have already expressed interest. Trustee Burnside also inquired about the program's duration. Dr. Massengale explained that the program is designed to prepare high school students to transition into the airframe certification track upon graduation, making it about a 16–18-month program. For those entering without any prerequisites, the program will take approximately two years to complete.
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, Dr. Massengale, Linda Tamayo, and Dr. Ricky Tompkins attended the Single Parent Scholarship Fund Distinguished Scholars’ Brunch where Dr. Massengale spoke to the attendees. Dr. Massengale highlighted the Northark Partnership Luncheon, where three students from Bergman High School are graduating with their Associate of Arts degree.
He also recognized eight North Arkansas College students in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) who competed at the Arkansas State FBLA event at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Achievements included:
• Julissa Gonzalez & Sydney King – 1st place in Business Ethics
• Pollyanna Montgomery – 1st place in Foundations of Management
• Nathanael Smith – 1st place in Computer Applications
• Ty’Shawn Roper – 1st place in Sports Management and Marketing
• Clark Lehigh & Sierra Martin – 1st place in Management Case Competition
• Julissa Gonzalez – 1st place in Job Interview
• Kayla Caviness, Pollyanna Montgomery, Clark Lehigh — 2nd place in Emerging Business Issues
• Nathanael Smith — 2nd place in Cybersecurity
• Sydney King — 5th place in Impromptu Speaking
• Kayla Caviness — 5th place in Public Speaking
• Ty'Shawn Roper — 8th place in Foundations of Accounting
North Arkansas College’s Workforce Development will offer Forklift Operator Training on April 24, 2025. For more information, contact Isabel Pina.
An employee town hall meeting regarding the potential affiliation between Northark and the University of Arkansas System was held on April 1, 2025. A community town hall on the same topic is scheduled for April 15, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the JPH Conference Center. During a recent Board discussion, Trustee Feighert asked if there were any questions about the affiliation. He noted that the Board may be considering a vote at the May meeting.
Trustee Patience inquired whether any concerns were raised by Northark employees during their town hall. Trustee Feighert responded that System representatives emphasized Northark would maintain its autonomy. One question raised during the town hall concerned transitioning to the Workday platform, which would involve some costs. Trustee Feighert said he would share the Q&A from the meeting with board members. Dr. Massengale added that he would look into the costs and details related to Workday.
Trustee Tomlinson asked who would retain ownership of Northark’s property. Dr. Massengale explained that the University of Arkansas System would assume ownership of both property and existing debts. Mr. Richard Stipe noted that while some details are still uncertain, there is flexibility for negotiation.
Trustee Burnside asked about the general sentiment regarding the affiliation. Trustee Feighert reported that feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many viewing it as a strong opportunity for students. No negative comments were received during the employee town hall.
Dr. Massengale clarified that Northark’s Board would continue to approve matters before they are submitted to the U.A. System Board.
Trustee Tomlinson also asked whether county mileage revenue would continue going to the college. Mr. Stipe responded that the mileage was established for debt service and would not be assumed by the System.
Chari Feighert mentioned another town hall question concerning the approval process for academic programs. He explained that while the U.A. System Board would ultimately approve programs, Northark is already subject to similar approval processes through the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The process would be an extension of the existing one.
Northark will also host a Senior Sneak Peek event exclusively for high school seniors on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Pioneer Pavilion.
Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda included the March regular meeting minutes, revised policy, Children and Minors on Campus, New hire, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, replacement positions, Director of Educational Talent Search and Construction Technology. Chair Feighert asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. A motion was made by Trustee Henry, seconded by Trustee Pledger, and unanimously approved.
Executive Session
The Board adjourned into an executive session to discuss the completed annual evaluation as prescribed by his contract. Trustee Johnson moved the motion, which was seconded by Trustee Burnside. The Board reconvened to a regular board meeting, with Trustee Tomlinson moving the motion and seconding Trustee Pledger. No action was taken.
After returning, Trustee Pledger chaired the President Evaluation committee and recommended to raise the annual salary of Dr. Rick Massengale $10,000 for FY 2025-2026 and the Board recommended his contract be extended for another year. A motion was made by Trustee Patience, seconded by Trustee Henry, and unanimously approved.
New Business
FY 2025-2026 Tuition and Fee Rates- Richard Stipe provided additional information in the board packet, including details previously shared during the Board budget session. Tuition rates will increase by $7 per credit hour for in-district and in-state students, and by $10 per credit hour for out-of-state/contiguous counties and out-of-state/all other students. Chair Feighert asked for a motion to approve the Tuition & Fee rates. A motion was made by Trustee Johnson, seconded by Trustee Pledger, and unanimously approved.
FY 2025-2026 Proposed Operational and Capital Budget — Richard Stipe stated that there was no new information beyond what was included in the board packet, which had already been discussed during the Board budget session and outlined in the handout provided to each trustee. Trustee Tomlinson asked whether the budget included funding for the truck driving program. Richard Stipe confirmed that it did, primarily for personnel costs. Chair Feighert asked for a motion to approve the Operational and Capital budget. Trustee Henry made a motion, seconded by Trustee Mouser, and unanimously approved.
Chair Feighert asked if the fees can be changed mid-year. Richard Stipe said it wouldn’t be the best practice to change a mandatory fee mid-year. Chair Feighert said he thought the Community Creekside would be interested in offering a fee to students to attend the Creekside Community Center.
Chair Feighert adjourned the meeting at 4:13 p.m.