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PJC regents sworn in, annexation plan approved

PJC regents sworn in, annexation plan approved

Published or Revised December 11, 2023

The Paris Junior College Board of Regents welcomed newly elected member Carolyn Lockett and returning members Berdie Gibson and Louise Taylor as they were sworn in at the meeting held Monday evening, May 23, 2016. Board officers will be elected at the June meeting.

The Regents authorized moving ahead with the Service Plan for Annexation, with two changes to the plan as presented: a tax freeze for those 65 or over to the amount of assessed value (excepting property improvements that increased value) if the annexation is successful. Also under Programs and Services, a Bachelor's of Applied Technology was added (which would allow PJC to offer a bachelor's of nursing or other workforce program as needed - current law prevents this due to PJC's limited tax base).

In other business, the Board of Regents:

  • Received the financial report from Comptroller Keitha Carlton reflecting payoff of the 2009 bond issue in the amount of $2,597,000.
  • Approved the audit engagement letter for McLanahan and Holmes to conduct the annual audit beginning at the end of PJC's fiscal year.
  • Adopted the new DJ (Local) Assignments, Work Load, and Schedule Policy. Changes include differentiating between those teaching only 3-hour courses and those teaching 4-hour lab courses to make the policy more equitable. The new contact hour levels for full-time faculty will be 5600 and 8400 hours, respectively. Also changed is the minimum number of students needed for a class to "make" or have enough students to break even on cost; it will be a minimum of 15 students, up from 12. The policy changes went through a committee process, to full faculty review, and final approval from the Faculty Advisory Council prior to being brought to the Board.
  • Approved PJC's participation in the College Forward Plan, along with Northeast Texas Community College and Texarkana College, for three years contingent on the plan meeting targets in the first year. College Forward hires AmeriCorps individuals who have backgrounds similar to area students to work with those students one-on-one beginning in high school through college. The goal is improved retention and success of students at PJC. The Pioneer Foundation has agreed to match funding for all three colleges for the three-year program.
  • Formally thanked Vice President Ed McCraw on his service and success at PJC, and congratulated him on his accomplishments, in recognition of his retirement.
  • Set the budget workshop for July 14.
  • Received a report on a memorandum of understanding with Northeast Texas Community College and Texarkana College to provide the surgical technology program. This helps PJC by boosting enrollment, saves the other colleges the cost of starting new programs, and demonstrates cooperation among colleges to the Texas Legislature. Additionally, there is strong support from hospitals in Mt. Pleasant and Texarkana for the program, including an offer of free lab space in Texarkana, which will help keep expansion costs low.
  • Accepted the resignations/retirements of Men's and Women's Soccer Coach John Cossaboon and Cosmetology Instructor Gloria Hokett effective May 13; Cosmetology Instructor Kerrie Morris effective June 17; and Associate Degree Nursing Instructor Kandice Pryor effective August 31.