Board to vote on classified contract, hear presentations, discuss budget

The MHCC District board will begin its monthly meeting with a tenure reception in the Jazz Café at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, in honor of newly tenured instructors.

The board then moves to the Town & Gown Room for its regular 6 p.m. meeting.

Members will hear presentations by Rho Theta and the Aquatics Center director, Tanya Richardson.

Cathy Nichols, classified employees association president, will provide a summary of newly bargained labor contract with Mt. Hood, ratified by union members. The board is expected to vote on final approval.

Jennifer DeMent, MHCC chief financial officer, will discuss revenue and enrollment rates. The board agenda packet for Wednesday reports that, compared to 2012-13, the Fall Term saw a 6.9 percent decline in student enrollment, followed by a 7.2 percent decline for Winter Term.

The decrease translates to a $1.1 million loss in previously budgeted revenues. If the trend continues, a total loss of $2.7 million in anticipated revenue would result.

The board must designate an official budget officer for the 2014-15 year; the MHCC administration recommends DeMent.

The board will hear a Head Start presentation, including information on evening childcare beginning Spring Term in collaboration with Student Services.  Students who seek the new childcare service must register in advance to reserve a spot for their child.

During the board’s last regular meeting held on Feb. 5, member George ‘Sonny’ Yellott announced he is running for the Oregon House of Representative District 48 seat.

The board held a planning retreat on Feb. 17 in the Diversity Resource Center. Members convened a brief regular session to ratify a new full-time faculty labor contract, and discussed the budget and a proposed bond measure process.