FAIRMONT — It was information, not organization, that took center stage at Pierpont Community & Technical College’s inaugural meeting of its board of governors.
On July 1, the college officially became its own entity separate from Fairmont State University. Last spring, the Legislature passed HB3215, which made the separation possible. The bill also separated five other community & technical colleges (CTCs) from their sponsoring four-year universities.
In response to the bill, Gov. Joe Manchin appointed a board of governors to take care of Pierpont, just as the university board of governors sets policies and makes decisions for FSU.
The board was just appointed on Aug. 1 and met for the first time Wednesday.
The new board received large amounts of information about Pierpont C&TC;, including a board members’ manual. They also watched a multimedia presentation on the various aspects of Pierpont and a walk-through of different applications on the college’s Web site.
They did not elect a chairman or an executive board. HB3215 mandates they hold the election in June. Since the board wasn’t appointed until August, Pierpont President Blair Montgomery said he would prefer the board “get to know one another first.”
Board member Jim Griffin, who has served on the university’s board of governors, argued the point. He explained the board might be in violation of the law if an election didn’t take place.
Montgomery said he would take responsibility for holding an election off until the next meeting.
The board also endured an exhaustive report on finances and information on how financial reports may be handed out.
According to a statement from Rick Porto, vice president of financial affairs, who works for both Fairmont State and Pierpont, the community college will end Fiscal Year 2008 with a balance of $2,805,655.
Porto also explained an additional report he would like to issue the Pierpont board. At the departmental level, Porto said, budgets are kept for different things. For example, one department may keep extra funds from class fees and save them over several years for new computers or expensive software. Porto would like to give the Pierpont board a budget reflecting those numbers instead of the “bottom-line” budget the university’s board of governors prefers.
The board also learned the basics of its budget for Fiscal Year 2009, which was approved by the university’s board of governors with the approval of Montgomery in June.
Among the items listed in the budget is Pierpont’s share of two new positions: an assistant vice president for enrollment services and a director of marketing.
Porto and Montgomery said both of those positions were approved by the university’s board of governors in June.
Since the positions will serve both institutions, Pierpont will pay a share of the salaries to the university. At this time, Porto said, Pierpont pays 33 percent of shared salaries, with the university picking up the tab for the rest, 67 percent.
Neither position has been posted and no one has been hired, Porto and Montgomery said.
The Pierpont Board of Governors will hold its next meeting at 2 p.m. September 9.
E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.
Local News
Information focus for Pierpont C&TC board
No election held to select chairman or executive panel
- Local News
-
-
Teaching on their level
“I would like to nominate Lois Thibodeau for ‘My Favorite Teacher.’ She is the special needs Pre-K teacher at Watson Elementary School.” This was Kristi Wolford singing the praises of Lois Thibodeau.
-
DHHR requiring additional vaccines for students
Seventh- and 12th-graders who return to class in the fall without certain immunizations will not be allowed to attend school unless they get the required inoculations.
-
Cost of crime
Victim.
You never thought this would be you.
But you are the victim of a nonviolent or violent crime.
After contacting the proper authorities, you may be bewildered as to what happens next. -
More streets to be paved this week
Even more city streets will be paved this week than expected.
City Manager Jay Rogers said the spring paving required fewer tons of asphalt to cover the distance than originally estimated. That means there’s asphalt to spare and more streets are getting paved this spring. -
Bertoletti has 33 pepperoni rolls in only 10 minutes to win
If there’s one Memorial Day tradition that everybody participates in, one way or another, it’s eating.
Maybe it’s at a picnic at one of the many venues scattered across Marion County, enjoying hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad and other seasonal food. -
Assaults, physical or not, affect ‘sense of safety and trust’
An assault of any kind — whether it’s physical or not — can be traumatizing.
“You don’t need to have suffered any cuts or scratches,” said Dr. Ronald Pearse, “but any kind of assault affects your sense of safety and trust.” -
Reasoning Mind excites students
As a teacher, Beverly Stewart has never been more thrilled than when she sees the benefits a newer program has done for her students.
Pleasant Valley Elementary fifth-grade student Calista Muzzapelle worked diligently on her assignments last week, much like she had during her Christmas break. -
Pepperoni roll prize
To someone from out of state, the pepperoni roll might seem like a mystery.
“Is it like a calzone?” they might ask, “or a stromboli?”
Unique to the state of West Virginia, the pepperoni roll represents the Italian heritage of many of the miners in the early 20th century mixed with hardworking Mountaineer common sense. -
BOE seeks land for new middle schools
The Marion County Board of Education is looking at land to build new middle schools in Mannington and Monongah.
If all goes as planned, county voters will see a bond on the November ballot. -
Former WVU coach takes final journey home
Bill Stewart has made his way back home.
The former West Virginia University football coach, who died suddenly earlier this week of a heart attack at 59, was laid to rest Friday in his hometown of New Martinsville. - More Local News Headlines
-
