Five finalists named for MCC president

The Mesalands Community College board of trustees last Tuesday announced five finalists for president of the college, including its current interim president.

The announcement came after a closed executive session of almost an hour.

Allen Moss, appointed by the board as Mesalands’ temporary acting president in February 2023, was among the finalists. He previously was senior executive director of concurrent enrollment and academic outreach at Mesalands.

The board appointed Moss as president after the departure of his predecessor, Gregg Busch, following a no-confidence vote by the executive staff, faculty senate and staff senate. Busch had been accused of concealing the college’s dire financial condition and threatening to fire those who would reveal it.

Moss had a long history as a school administrator in southern Missouri before coming to Tucumcari.

The other finalists are listed below in alphabetical order with current professions listed in their resumes. The Quay County Sun obtained the resumes through a records request.

— Billy W. Adams, vice president of instruction at Panola College in Carthage, Texas;

— Sandra Kiddoo, president of Northland Community and Technical College in Minnesota;

— Lyvier L. Leffler, vice president for student success at Lone Star College-University Park in Houston;

— Stacy Pfluger, provost and interim president of Southeast Arkansas College.

The faculty at Northland took a no-confidence vote against Kiddoo in May 2023, voicing concerns about enrollment declines and the viability of academic programs. Kiddoo subsequently announced plans to depart the college this month.

A presidential search committee of seven members from the board, faculty and community whittled the final five from 32 applicants, said board Chairman Richard Primrose. Mesalands announced its plans for a nationwide search for a president in March.

According to a news release Thursday from the college, the Mesalands board will make a decision on the finalists during its July 16 meeting.

In other business:

— The board approved a Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan for 2026 through 2030.

The ICIP serves as a wish list for capital outlay funds from the state.

At the top of the priority list is a critical infrastructure project totaling $1.5 million, with $990,000 requested in fiscal year 2026 and $510,000 requested in FY2027.

Second on the priority list for FY2026 is $62,000 to buy a three-quarter ton pickup truck for facilities maintenance.

Third is $250,000 for a semi-truck and trailer for the college’s commercial driver’s license training program.

In FY2027, the college is requesting $59,593 for roof and exterior repairs to the dinosaur museum.

FY2028 includes a $153,480 request for a new business center at Mesalands.

FY2029 lists a $1.49 million request to convert all the college’s lighting to energy-efficient LEDs.

Finally, in FY2030, the college lists a $168,449 request to build an esports arena.

— Mark Martinez, executive director of operations and procurement, said he finally obtained proof-of-loss forms for insurance claims from the May 2023 hailstorm.

Building A sustained more than $142,000 in damage from hail. Buildings D and R totaled about $74,000 and $61,000 in damage respectively.

Martinez said the next step is its insurer will issue a check, after which Mesalands will hire a contractor to repair the damage. He said he hoped work would begin in late July or August.

“The sooner, the better,” Primrose responded.

Martinez stated in his written report that other roofing projects at the college might take up to six months to complete.

Board member Phillip Box asked whether the college would receive supplement payments if more hail-related damage is found once repairs begin. Martinez confirmed that would be the case.

— Moss, appearing by videoconference during his president’s report, said the college’s cash balance “looks pretty good” with only two weeks left in the fiscal year.

“We’re going to finish OK this year,” he said.

He said Mesalands still was awaiting collections from state correctional facilities for the college’s course offerings.

After the board approved the May financial report, Moss said: “I feel like we’re ending the year at a much better note.”

— The board approved consulting agreements with certified public accountant Judy Scharmer and David Gray, who both work in the business office.

Scharmer will be paid $4,875 plus sales taxes monthly. Gray will be paid $35 an hour for no more than 20 hours a week. Both of their paychecks will be covered by state funds.

Moss said both helped the business office correct financial forms to the state and reconcile payroll during financial difficulties.

— Martinez reported the Building A renovation project was nearly complete and that a reimbursement of $118,581.63 in state funds has been requested.

— Martinez said the college’s fitness center will offer one free month if customers pay for a $25-a-month membership from July through November in advance.

— Joel Kiser, vice president of academic affairs, said the college is expanding its memorandums of understanding with regional high schools.

— Kiser said the college is updating its agreement with state prisons to offer more courses, including wind certification at the Santa Rosa facility.

— Kiser said Mesalands is offering a Summer Adventure Camp on July 8-18 for area children from age 4 to 18. Offerings include esports, cheerleading, gymnastics, taekwondo, baking, computer programming and other activities.

— Kiser said the college’s adult education program served 130 students this past year, including 16 high-school equivalency graduates.

— Josh McVey, vice president of student affairs, said the college would host a fundraiser tournament for its golf team on July 26-28.

— McVey said Julio Galindo, the college’s recruiter and point man for obtaining grants, had resigned. He thanked Galindo for his service to Mesalands.