KLAMATH COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF EDUCATION
7390 South Sixth Street - Klamath Falls, OR 97603
Special Meeting - August 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The August 1, 2007 Special Meeting of the Klamath Community College Board of Education was called to order by
Board Chair, Don McCasland, at 7:00 p.m. in the Klamath Community College Board Room. This was followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Members present: Jim Mieloszyk, Andrew Frei, Glen Keown, Don McCasland, Dr. Carol Dougan, Dr. Carol Castle,
Steve Tippin
All Board members were present and a quorum was confirmed.
Karren Andrews served as Board Secretary in Dawn McLing’s absence.
Guests: Dean Renée Ferguson; Dean James Davies; Mel Ferguson, Legal Counsel; Sam Barker; John Cascamo;
Mary Beard; Donna Libbey; Steve Kadel from the Herald and News
Executive Session
No Executive Session was held.
Discussion of Dr. Fredrick Smith’s resignation as President of Klamath Community College
All members of the Board were provided copies of Dr. Fredrick Smith’s Letter of Resignation. No discussion was held.
Chair McCasland asked for a Motion with regard to this matter.
{Note: The Letter of Resignation referenced above is on file at Klamath Community College in the Human Resources
Department}
Dr. Carol Dougan moved that the Board accept the Letter of Resignation as presented.
Steve Tippin seconded the Motion.
Discussion: None
Action: Chair McCasland requested a Roll Call Vote
Jim Mieloszyk - Aye
Andrew Frei - Aye
Glen Keown - Aye
Don McCasland - No
Dr. Carol Dougan - Aye
Dr. Carol Castle - Aye
Steve Tippin - Aye
Motion carries with a majority vote.
Review and Discussion of Proposed Separation Agreement
All Board Members received a copy of the referenced Agreement. No discussion was held. Chair McCasland asked
for a Motion with regard to this matter.
{Note: The referenced Separation Agreement is on file at Klamath Community College in the Human Resources
Department}
Dr. Carol Castle moved that the Board accept the Separation Agreement as presented.
Andy Frei seconded the motion.
Discussion: None
Action: Chair McCasland requested a Roll Call Vote
Jim Mieloszyk - Aye
Andrew Frei - Aye
Glen Keown - Aye
Don McCasland - Aye
Dr. Carol Dougan - Aye
Dr. Carol Castle - Aye
Steve Tippin - Aye
Motion carries with a majority vote.
Appointment of Acting President
Discussion was held with regard to who would be appointed as Acting President. The Succession Plan developed by
Dr. Smith was reviewed and discussion was held with regard to the options available. All Board members received a
copy of the referenced Plan.
Motion: Andy Frei moved that the Board appoint an Acting President pursuant to Board Policy 100.0620, Emergency
Presidential Succession (last sentence).
Second: Steve Tippin
Motion dies for lack of action.
Discussion: The Board requested the Leadership Team’s opinion with regard to the Board’s decision in this situation.
The Leadership Team felt that the decision was the Board’s and the best interest of the College should be taken into
consideration. Clear guidelines should be developed with regard to what the Board would want the Leadership Team to
follow through with if the Board decided to place the leadership of the College in the Deans hands. Concern was
voiced with regard to the Deans taking on additional responsibilities. Dean Ferguson explained that this was not the
first instance in which the Deans were asked to step in to make Presidential decisions and to keep the College running
smoothly.
The general consensus of the Board was to immediately begin the search for an Interim President to fill the vacancy
during the time that a full-time President search is conducted. The question of resources, or candidate pools, was
asked. Chair McCasland explained that organizations such as ACCT and OSBA offer supportive services in this
regard. Chair McCasland also stated that there have been at least three college presidents who have just retired;
however, he wasn’t certain if any of those would be interested in an interim position.
Jim Mieloszyk suggested that because a Board member exists, who holds the credentials and who is available to sit in
the Acting President capacity, it would be appropriate for the Board to consider asking Carol Dougan to agree to the
Acting President position. Mr. Mieloszyk offered copies of Dr. Dougan’s resume. Mr. Mieloszyk went on to state that it
is critical that the Board make a break between how the Board has done business historically and this Board has the
opportunity. While Dr. Dougan has not been in this College in an administrative role, she really has because she has
been involved with the Governing Body. The only downside that he could think of was that perhaps this appointment
might not look real good politically - that a member of the Board would step into that role. Mr. Mieloszyk felt that the
Board needs to look to the organization as far as who can, who has the absolute commitment to the organization - not
that the Executive Team does not. This will give this Board an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. Mr. Mieloszyk
suggested that the Board immediately entertain having Carol Dougan as the Acting President.
Glen Keown posed the question of, if an appointment is made, how does the Board handle the separation of duties.
Chair McCasland stated that Dr. Dougan would have to resign from the Board immediately. Mr. Keown also asked if
the resignation would be permanent? Chair McCasland stated that it would be a permanent resignation. The legalities
of this type of appointment will be investigated by Mel Ferguson. The clause of the Board Policies was read to the
Board (with respect to separation from the Board and subsequent employment by the College cannot take place for up
to one year). Mr. Ferguson stated that the Board could certainly suspend its own Policy given the unique circumstance
of this situation. Mr. Mieloszyk asked if there was a policy with regard to a Board Member having a temporary leave of
absence from the Board? At this time, Mel Ferguson stated that there is nothing in Board Policy that addresses that
issue.
Time was given to Dr. Dougan to address this issue of stepping into the Acting President position. Dr. Dougan felt that
it was important that the Board move forward and keep the College moving ahead. Keep the students in the front of
our minds and that faculty are happy and feeling comfortable. That staff feel comfortable. Dr. Dougan also explained
that she had shared with Mr. Mieloszyk that she could not go into this position “full time” immediately but could dedicate
several hours each day or week.
Dr. Castle questioned what the duties would be for an Acting President that would take away from the Dean’s jobs. Dr.
Dougan responded to this question stating that the Deans are putting in 50 to 60 hours each week in their positions
currently. If they were to take on the Acting President’s position, this would increase those hours substantially. In her
opinion, the President would provide leadership, continue planning, and day-to-day business needs to continue. Jim
Mieloszyk suggested that the job description of the president’s position should be the guide to follow in this situation.
Steve Tippin added that he saw the Acting President more as a “care taker” of the College. This position would not
make any major changes at this time. The Board also expressed concern with regard to the “conflict of interest” that
could arise if the Deans were appointed as co-Acting Presidents. This could necessitate a change of legal council.
Motion #1: Jim Mieloszyk moved to amend the Board Policy to allow a current Board member to become the Acting
President.
Motion #2: Jim Mieloszyk moved to appoint Dr. Carol Dougan as the Acting President of Klamath Community College
effective immediately.
Mel Ferguson, attorney for the Board, recommended that there be several motions. One to grant a leave of absence
from the Board; second, to suspend the Board Policy to allow Dr. Dougan to become an employee of the College; third,
the appointment of Dr. Dougan as Acting President. All motions would be subject to a formal written opinion of legal
counsel so that the Board is certain that there is no violation of state law.
Mr. Mieloszyk then reworded his previous Motions.
Motion #1: Jim Mieloszyk moved to allow Dr. Carol Dougan to have a leave of absence from the Board of Education
for Klamath Community College for a period that will be determined not to exceed six months (six months because,
what if the assignment of Acting goes for two or three months - this will give the Board latitude).
Second: Steve Tippin seconded the motion.
Discussion: Dean Davies explained that it is possible that the Acting President position could go nine months, ten
months, etc. if a full search is completed. Clarification was made that this only applies to an Acting position, not an
Interim position.
The motion is contingent on legal review. Mr. Mieloszyk asked to have this added to the Motion.
Dr. Carol Dougan recused herself from voting.
Dr. Castle asked how the Board would handle the appearance to the public of appointing a Board member to this
position at this point in time. Jim Mieloszyk stated that as an Acting President Dr. Dougan possesses the qualifications
and, for the reasons discussed, the Board should make a clear statement that she does know the College’s direction.
It will also solve a problem of not having to adjust out the legal counsel at this time and avoid the additional work loads
to the current Deans of the College.
Action: Six affirmative votes. One abstained.
Motion #2: Jim Mieloszyk moved that the Board amend its Board Policy No. 100.0250, remove the third paragraph
(stating separation from Board) . . . Board member disagreed with the word “amend” in this motion; therefore, the
Motion was restated to: moved that the Board “suspend” its Board Policy No. 100.0250, specifically the third paragraph
which references separation from the Board, prohibiting employment by the College for one year from the date of
separation. This motion is also contingent on legal review.
Second: Andy Frei
Discussion: None.
Action: Six affirmative votes. One abstained.
Motion #3: Jim Mieloszyk moved that the Board appoint Dr. Carol Purdy Dougan as Acting President of Klamath
Community College effective immediately. This motion is also contingent upon legal review.
Second: Andy Frei
Discussion: Dr. Castle suggested that the appointment be made effective August 2, 2007. Jim Mieloszyk reiterated
that he preferred the appointment to be made immediately to insure that the College has identified leadership. Steve
Tippin asked when salary rates, etc. for this position would be discussed? Karren Andrews explained that there is a
salary range for this position; however, she did not have the information at this meeting. Jim Mieloszyk suggested that
the salary be determined and paid retroactively following the next Board meeting wherein discussion could be held by
members of the Board. Karren explained that a contract would be drawn up and salary determined prior to the next
pay period of the College.
Action: Six affirmative votes. One abstained.
Appointment of Committee to Identify Candidates to Serve as Interim President
Committee members were named to pursue the matter of hiring an Interim President for the College.
Dr. Carol Castle
Andrew Frei
Glen Keown
This Committee will act quickly, providing a report during the August 28, 2007 Board of Education meeting. Staff input
will also be included.
Budget Issues/Resolution
This issue will be included in the August 28, 2007 Board of Education meeting. The Budget issues will include salary
for the Acting/Interim President, recruitment process, etc.
August Meeting
The August meeting will be held on the 28th of August with a full re-organization of the Board to take place. Due to the
appointment of Dr. Dougan as Acting President, a new Vice Chair will be named during that time.
Adjournment
The Special Meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn G. McLing
Board Secretary
| 
