Board of Trustees Meeting
Location
Hybrid Meeting Format: offering both in-person and virtual meeting access
Minutes
Attendees
Board of Trustees: Chair Johnson, Vice Chair Swenson, Chair Exstrom, Trustee Bowman
Executive Cabinet: President Mosby, Danielle Slota, Rolita Ezeonu, Josh Gerstman, Maribel Jimenez, Melanie Lawson, Michael Pham, Tim Wrye
Assistant Attorney General: Bruce Marvin
Absent: None
Study Session call to order: 11:15 a.m.
Discussion Topics
FY2025 Budget Revision, Dr. Michael Pham (30 minutes)
Unscheduled Business
Executive Session Pertaining to Highline College Labor Relations
Began at 11:40 a.m. for 30 minutes, extended by 15 minutes, adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
*The Board, as and when deemed necessary, may call an Executive Session for appropriate purposes under the Open Meetings Act RCW 42.30.110.
(g) To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. However, subject to RCW 42.30.140(4), discussion by a governing body of salaries, wages, and other conditions of employment to be generally applied within the agency shall occur in a meeting open to the public, and when a governing body elects to take final action hiring, setting the salary of an individual employee or class of employees, or discharging or disciplining an employee, that action shall be taken in a meeting open to the public;
Meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m.
Board of Trustees Meeting
Special Meeting Minutes
Location
Hybrid Meeting Format: offering both in-person and virtual meeting access
Special Meeting called to order at 12:33 p.m.
Roll Call
Board of Trustees: Chair Johnson, Vice Chair Swenson, Chair Exstrom, Trustee Bowman
Executive Cabinet: Acting President Penn, Ay Saechao, Danielle Slota, Emily Lardner, Josh Gerstman, Maribel Jimenez, Melanie Lawson, Michael Pham, Tim Wrye
Assistant Attorney General: Bruce Marvin
Absent: Trustee Swenson
Approve minutes
Approve minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of the special meeting of February 27, 2025.
Trustee Bowman motioned to approve, Trustee Exstrom seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Opportunity for public comment
None
Standing reports
- Highline College Education Association – James Peyton
Grades were due on Tuesday at noon from winter quarter. Spring classes begin next Monday, faculty are busy preparing. Shout out to screening committees, expressed gratitude for the thought and time. In response to the recent executive order toward the Dept of Education, spoke to professional technical paths on campus and the level of support needed for the students, faculty and staff. Offered a public statement of support for our community, especially immigrant and LGBTQ members who have been recent targets.
- Washington Public Employees Association – George Babcock
WPEA returned to the bargaining table on Monday. The session was not as productive as they had hoped. They are committed to ratifying a contract as soon as possible. They are aware of budget constraints but also aware of proposed furloughs, pay cuts, and changes in healthcare benefits at the state. Not reaching a tentative agreement on time will impact staff financially.
Action items
- Action item a. Request for approval of the revised AY2025 (April 2025 – June 2025) Board of Trustee Regular Meeting Schedule
Trustee Bowman motioned to approve, Trustee Swenson seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Area reports
- Administrative Services: VP Dr. Michael Pham
- Academic Affairs: Interim VP Dr. Rolita Ezeonu
- Student Services: VP Jamilyn Penn
- Additions to written report: recognized hard work of faculty, specifically those working with our nursing students. The recent pinning ceremony was a celebration of success and the beautiful diversity that is this campus and our students.
- Regarding our international student programs – celebrated the fifty NEW students that arrived for orientation this week.
- Institutional Advancement: VP Josh Gerstman
- Equity, Diversity and Transformation: Dean Justin Dampeer for VP Dra. Maribel Jimenez
Discussion
President’s remarks
Welcomed Dr. Ezeonu to the position of Interim Vice President Rolita Ezeonu. Provided a reminder to all of campus of the Highline College Respectful Work Environment Policy 4330.
Unscheduled business
None
New business
None
Adjournment
General Session was adjourned: 1:02 p.m.
Minutes Signed and Approved
The meeting minutes from March 26, 2025, were approved and signed into record by Chair Johnson and President John Mosby on April 30, 2025.
Mission Statement: As a South King County college striving for social justice, Highline College partners with global students as they envision, plan and achieve their educational and professional goals.