WCCCD, Board of Trustees — IN-PERSON ONLY!

Wayne County Community College District
Education

801 W Fort St Detroit, MI 48226 (Directions)

Dr. Charles E. Morton Board of Trustees Conference Room, Curtis L. Ivery District Office

This is Documenters’ first time reporting on the WCCCD Board of Trustees.

Check the source website for additional information

Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team

Note-taking by Stephanie Jennings

Questionable Open Meetings Act practices, with sign-in and sign-out requirements and a rule that public comment requests be given to the secretary at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Board received a clean audit and approved almost $1 million for capital projects.

Live reporting by Colleen Cirocco

Questionable Open Meetings Act practices, with sign-in and sign-out requirements and a rule that public comment requests be given to the secretary at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Board received a clean audit and approved almost $1 million for capital projects.

Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco
Hey Detroit! Tonight at 6:30 PM I’ll be live-tweeting the WCCCD, Board of Trustees meeting for #DETdocumenters
@DetDocumenters
Media partners:
@BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @Michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit

02:41 PM Mar 27, 2024 CDT

Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 2/38
This will be @DetDocumenters first time covering a WCCCD (Wayne County Community College District) Board of Trustees meeting. Here's the meeting notice for some added context
wcccd.edu/about/pdfs/202…
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 3/38
@DetDocumenters Learn more about the Board of Trustees on their website:
wcccd.edu/about/board.htm
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 4/38
@DetDocumenters This meeting is being held IN PERSON only at 801 W Fort St, Detroit MI 48226. I will be covering the meeting in person this time!
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 5/38
I’ll be paying attention to how the board adheres to the Open Meetings Act. Interesting to note up front how they handle accommodation requests, requiring five days notice for requests for audio accommodation.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 6/38
In any meeting we cover as documenters, we are always looking for possible deviations to the Open Meetkngs Act, which is a piece of legislation in Michigan to hold public bodies accountable during meetings and decision making.
michigan.gov/ag/-/media/Pro…
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 7/38
While not required by the Open Meetings Act, an agenda for this meeting is not available to the public (to my knowledge.)
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 8/38
🚨 If you find anything inaccurate in my tweets, please email documenters@outliermedia.org with the subject “Correction Request.”
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 9/38
In the room now waiting for the meeting to start. Less than 30 people here including the board members.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 10/38
Agendas are here at the meeting -
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 11/38
Meeting is called to order by the chair at 6:31 PM. There is a quorum. Roll call of board members - 7 members present.
Motion to approve minutes from 1/20/24, regular and committee meetings. Approved.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 12/38
Motion to move into recess and move into Committte of the Whole (informational items).
First group to present is Audit Standing Committee.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 13/38
Now onto E5 on the Agenda - three members of the audience came forward, sitting at the table to present on this topic, internal and external auditors. A report on their federal awards from 2022-2023.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 14/38
This is to ensure there are good controls in place for compliance for receiving federal finance assistance, $32.7 mil was spent, $30 mil audited. Audited student financial aid and Perkins loans in 2023.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 15/38
Motion that this information be approved. The motion passes. Maria Edwards Wheeler called for the motion and thanked the committee for presenting. She is moving the meeting along to the next committee, which is Educational Affairs and Student Services Standing Committee.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 16/38
A new committee has stepped up to the table to present, five members are now ready to address the board on Educational Affairs and Student Services.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 17/38
The board member Vernon C Allen Jr, commends the committee. The following languages are available to WCC students: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, ESL, and ASL.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 18/38
Committee member mentions that a goal is to help first responders to recognize cultural differences in the first moments of an emergency situation.
Language institute provides ESL support and tutoring.
Board member Sharon P. Scott commends the committee, esp ASL program.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 19/38
Another board member, Vernon C Allen, commends ASL (American Sign Language) program. People are looking at what we do nationally.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 20/38
View from the room - slides are presented, a hired photographer is here too. About 28 people in the room k including 7 board members.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 21/38
Most of the people here are dressed business professional and seem ready to present at this meeting. There are three documenters and the agenda shows that there are no public commenters.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 22/38
I didn't see how public comment is solicited on the website - but it seems that it has to be applied for before the day of the meeting.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 23/38
A professor is speaking now about global citizenship and the accomplishments of Chancellor Curtis L. Ivory. He presents him with a crystal trophy.
Correction: the person I identified as Vernon C. Allen was actually Curtis L. Ivory, I got the name plates switched.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 24/38
The Chancellor jokes that they must have know the faculty negotiations are coming up next week.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 25/38
Motion to accept this information has been approved.
Motion to amend the agenda and skip to the next main section - Reconvene Regular Board Meeting (Approval Items).
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 26/38
➡️Agenda Item H. 13.
Going over slides of completed and active facilities projects on the various campuses. Asking for approval of $984,059.00 to complete these projects.
Motion to approve, passes.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 27/38
➡️ Agenda items I. 14-16
Motion to approve all items.
One question from James J. Wagner. Is wondering why there is an increase of $10k for police cars, there is alternative source they could use in the future. Would still vote 'aye.'
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 28/38
Going back to approve items I. 14-16, motion passes.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 29/38
➡️ J 17-24
Motion to accept all items, motion passes.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 30/38
➡️ Unfinished business - none
➡️ New business
Employment Contract between WCCCD and Dr. Curtis L. Ivery Motion to approve - approved unanimously with a roll call vote.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 31/38
➡️ Public comment - none. (still not sure how people participate in public comment)
➡️ Individual trustee reports
Sharon P Scott - April 8 Ted Scott Campus grand opening of 'the food.' There will be guests and giveaways.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 32/38
Individual trustee reports cont.
Maria Edward-Wheeler (district 6). Is glad that we are broadening foreign language options.
Roy Edmonds (district 1), thanks Dr. Ivory. Has been participating with Eastside Advisory Council at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 33/38
Edmonds cont. - encourages the board to read the book American Community College.
wiley.com/en-us/The+Amer…
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 34/38
Next board member: Asm N. Rahman, district 2. excited for the draft and also recommends the American Community College book
Susan C. Steeby, has been absent but is ready to jump back in.
James J. Wagner, also apologizes for missing January meeting, is 79 years old, health issues.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 35/38
Vernon C. Allen, Jr., district 3. Thanks Dr. Ivory.
Next up, Dr. Ivory. Thanks everyone on the board, they are his family. Didn't plan on staying in Michigan longer than 2 years after moving here from Arkansas, has been here for 28 years. "I can't leave Michigan."
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 36/38
You can't live with em, can't live without em - that's what Detroit represents to me. Thanks for letting me be part of this great institution - Dr. Ivory
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 37/38
Motion to adjourn at 7:19 PM, approved.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 38/38
Meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM. This concludes the WCCCD, Board of Trustees meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for 5/15/24. For more meeting coverage, check out .
documenters.org
Live reporting by Colleen Cirocco

Questionable Open Meetings Act practices, with sign-in and sign-out requirements and a rule that public comment requests be given to the secretary at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Board received a clean audit and approved almost $1 million for capital projects.

Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco
Hey Detroit! Tonight at 6:30 PM I’ll be live-tweeting the WCCCD, Board of Trustees meeting for #DETdocumenters
@DetDocumenters
Media partners:
@BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @Michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit

02:41 PM Mar 27, 2024 CDT

Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 2/38
This will be @DetDocumenters first time covering a WCCCD (Wayne County Community College District) Board of Trustees meeting. Here's the meeting notice for some added context
wcccd.edu/about/pdfs/202…
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 3/38
@DetDocumenters Learn more about the Board of Trustees on their website:
wcccd.edu/about/board.htm
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 4/38
@DetDocumenters This meeting is being held IN PERSON only at 801 W Fort St, Detroit MI 48226. I will be covering the meeting in person this time!
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 5/38
I’ll be paying attention to how the board adheres to the Open Meetings Act. Interesting to note up front how they handle accommodation requests, requiring five days notice for requests for audio accommodation.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 6/38
In any meeting we cover as documenters, we are always looking for possible deviations to the Open Meetkngs Act, which is a piece of legislation in Michigan to hold public bodies accountable during meetings and decision making.
michigan.gov/ag/-/media/Pro…
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 7/38
While not required by the Open Meetings Act, an agenda for this meeting is not available to the public (to my knowledge.)
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 8/38
🚨 If you find anything inaccurate in my tweets, please email documenters@outliermedia.org with the subject “Correction Request.”
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 9/38
In the room now waiting for the meeting to start. Less than 30 people here including the board members.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 10/38
Agendas are here at the meeting -
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 11/38
Meeting is called to order by the chair at 6:31 PM. There is a quorum. Roll call of board members - 7 members present.
Motion to approve minutes from 1/20/24, regular and committee meetings. Approved.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 12/38
Motion to move into recess and move into Committte of the Whole (informational items).
First group to present is Audit Standing Committee.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 13/38
Now onto E5 on the Agenda - three members of the audience came forward, sitting at the table to present on this topic, internal and external auditors. A report on their federal awards from 2022-2023.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 14/38
This is to ensure there are good controls in place for compliance for receiving federal finance assistance, $32.7 mil was spent, $30 mil audited. Audited student financial aid and Perkins loans in 2023.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 15/38
Motion that this information be approved. The motion passes. Maria Edwards Wheeler called for the motion and thanked the committee for presenting. She is moving the meeting along to the next committee, which is Educational Affairs and Student Services Standing Committee.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 16/38
A new committee has stepped up to the table to present, five members are now ready to address the board on Educational Affairs and Student Services.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 17/38
The board member Vernon C Allen Jr, commends the committee. The following languages are available to WCC students: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, ESL, and ASL.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 18/38
Committee member mentions that a goal is to help first responders to recognize cultural differences in the first moments of an emergency situation.
Language institute provides ESL support and tutoring.
Board member Sharon P. Scott commends the committee, esp ASL program.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 19/38
Another board member, Vernon C Allen, commends ASL (American Sign Language) program. People are looking at what we do nationally.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 20/38
View from the room - slides are presented, a hired photographer is here too. About 28 people in the room k including 7 board members.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 21/38
Most of the people here are dressed business professional and seem ready to present at this meeting. There are three documenters and the agenda shows that there are no public commenters.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 22/38
I didn't see how public comment is solicited on the website - but it seems that it has to be applied for before the day of the meeting.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 23/38
A professor is speaking now about global citizenship and the accomplishments of Chancellor Curtis L. Ivory. He presents him with a crystal trophy.
Correction: the person I identified as Vernon C. Allen was actually Curtis L. Ivory, I got the name plates switched.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 24/38
The Chancellor jokes that they must have know the faculty negotiations are coming up next week.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 25/38
Motion to accept this information has been approved.
Motion to amend the agenda and skip to the next main section - Reconvene Regular Board Meeting (Approval Items).
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 26/38
➡️Agenda Item H. 13.
Going over slides of completed and active facilities projects on the various campuses. Asking for approval of $984,059.00 to complete these projects.
Motion to approve, passes.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 27/38
➡️ Agenda items I. 14-16
Motion to approve all items.
One question from James J. Wagner. Is wondering why there is an increase of $10k for police cars, there is alternative source they could use in the future. Would still vote 'aye.'
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 28/38
Going back to approve items I. 14-16, motion passes.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 29/38
➡️ J 17-24
Motion to accept all items, motion passes.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 30/38
➡️ Unfinished business - none
➡️ New business
Employment Contract between WCCCD and Dr. Curtis L. Ivery Motion to approve - approved unanimously with a roll call vote.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 31/38
➡️ Public comment - none. (still not sure how people participate in public comment)
➡️ Individual trustee reports
Sharon P Scott - April 8 Ted Scott Campus grand opening of 'the food.' There will be guests and giveaways.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 32/38
Individual trustee reports cont.
Maria Edward-Wheeler (district 6). Is glad that we are broadening foreign language options.
Roy Edmonds (district 1), thanks Dr. Ivory. Has been participating with Eastside Advisory Council at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 33/38
Edmonds cont. - encourages the board to read the book American Community College.
wiley.com/en-us/The+Amer…
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 34/38
Next board member: Asm N. Rahman, district 2. excited for the draft and also recommends the American Community College book
Susan C. Steeby, has been absent but is ready to jump back in.
James J. Wagner, also apologizes for missing January meeting, is 79 years old, health issues.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 35/38
Vernon C. Allen, Jr., district 3. Thanks Dr. Ivory.
Next up, Dr. Ivory. Thanks everyone on the board, they are his family. Didn't plan on staying in Michigan longer than 2 years after moving here from Arkansas, has been here for 28 years. "I can't leave Michigan."
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 36/38
You can't live with em, can't live without em - that's what Detroit represents to me. Thanks for letting me be part of this great institution - Dr. Ivory
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 37/38
Motion to adjourn at 7:19 PM, approved.
Colleen Cirocco @colleencirocco 38/38
Meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM. This concludes the WCCCD, Board of Trustees meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for 5/15/24. For more meeting coverage, check out .
documenters.org

Attachments

By Stephanie Jennings 3/27/2024
By Devyn McNaughton 3/27/2024
By Devyn McNaughton 3/27/2024

Agency Information

Wayne County Community College District

www.wcccd.edu

(313) 496-2600

See Documenters reporting

The story of Wayne County Community College District is one of continuing growth and innovation in providing educational training and leadership for the metropolitan region. The College was established in 1967 by the Legislature of the State of Michigan, and its initial seven-member Board of Trustees was elected the following year: The first operating budget was based on a $1,000,000 grant from the State of Michigan, as well as a $300,000 stipend from New Detroit, Inc., and anticipated student tuition payments at that time.

WCCCD’s five campuses are located in industrial, rural and metropolitan areas where a major share of Michigan’s technical and skilled occupations is located. Because of the diversity of its service areas, WCCCD places a strong emphasis on occupational and career programs, and traditional college and university transfer programs, including those within the liberal arts discipline.

Documents

No documents available

More from this agency

WCCCD, Board of Trustees

Wayne County Community College District

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024

6:30 p.m. EST