Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting (OFFICIAL) – October 1, 2025
A meeting of the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees was held in room TC103AB in the David Hartleb Technology Center located at 100 Elliott Street, Haverhill, MA on October 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
Ms. Borislow
Mr. Cousins (via Zoom)
Mr. Gomez
Ms. Hatem-Roy
Ms. Horne
Dr. Kelley
Mr. Yepez
UNABLE TO ATTEND: Ms. Fernandez, Ms. Gomez Ruiz, Mr. Hamm, Mr. Silverio
ALSO, PRESENT: President Glenn
CALL TO ORDER: With a quorum established, Chair Borislow called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Borislow asked for a motion to approve the September 3, 2025 minutes.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Kelley and seconded by Trustee Yepez, the Board unanimously approved the September 3, 2025 minutes as presented.
CORRESPONDENCE: There was none.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Introduction of Newly Hired Employees:
President Glenn introduced and welcomed NECC’s newest employees: Christopher Russo, Director of Infrastructure & Client Services; Martha Barrett, Administrative Assistant II; Julio Alicea, Maintenance Worker. The Trustees also welcomed the newest employees. President Glenn provided a brief explanation of the Trustees’ role in Northern Essex Community College’s governance.
EDUCATIONAL REPORT:
a) Class Schedule Optimization by Austin Gilliland
President Glenn introduced Vice President of Academic Affairs Austin Gilliland.
Vice President Gilliland provided an overview of the course scheduling optimization work that will improve classroom utilization and enhance student experience across semesters. Based on key findings in the Jones Architecture report, Academic Affairs will begin a process to rebalance academic spaces based on use and demand that allows for growth with phased flexibility. The focus for Spring 2026 will include standard time blocks and balanced sections. The standardization is expected to reduce the current 35 unique class start-times and 94 end-times to 13 standard start-times and 19 standard end-times. Balanced sections will help consolidate room usage. The focus for Fall 2026 will include an analysis of the current schedule and shift planning to a two-year schedule model. By planning a two-year class schedule, students and faculty can anticipate consistencies with modality, time of day, campus availability, etc. (i.e., predictability). For example, a student taking BIO121 in the Fall semester can expect BIO122 to be offered at the same time and on the same campus for the Spring semester.
BOARD CHAIR UPDATE:
Chair Borislow encouraged the Trustees to attend the 2025 Governance Leadership Institute hosted by Massachusetts Community Colleges and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). This year’s GLI will be on Friday, November 9 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. Trustees are also invited to AgeSpan’s Annual Luncheon and Lifelong Learning Awards on Friday, November 14 at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury. This event recognized individuals who inspire others through their passion for continuous growth, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge. President Glenn will be the keynote speaker.
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES:
a) Audit and Finance Committee: There was no report.
With no quorum for the Audit and Finance Committee meeting, Chair Borislow moved the approval of the FY2026 Supplemental Operating Budget to the full board meeting.
Executive Vice President McCarthy provided an overview of the FY2026 Supplemental Operating Budget. The FY26 budget projects a positive year-end change in net position of $1.2 million, driven by increases in tuition and fees revenue, stable financial aid, and consistent grant support. Tuition and fees are expected to reach $28.2 million, up $3.3 million from FY25, supported by a 13.4% increase in reported credits and a 1.93% fee increase. Student Financial Aid is projected at $14.7 million, maintaining a 52% discount rate due to substantial funding from MassEducate and MassReconnect, which are recorded as state grants but offset as scholarship allowances. Grants and other revenues are projected at $34.2 million, reflecting continued support from state and federal sources. Salary expenses will rise by $1.9 million (4.6%) due to contractual increases and the full-year impact of FY25 adjustments, with benefits remaining at 33%. Other operating expenses are estimated at $24.3 million, slightly below FY25 but $2.4 million higher than the initial FY26 budget, driven by utility costs, IT upgrades, and furniture for facility projects. Depreciation is projected at $4.4 million, up $314k, while bad debt remains steady at $400k. State support is preliminarily estimated at $37.3 million, excluding formula funding still to be allocated, and investment income is expected to remain stable at $1.95 million. Capital appropriations are conservatively budgeted at $500k pending further state updates.
Chair Borislow asked for a motion to approve the FY2026 College Operating Budget.
On a Motion presented by Trustee Yepez and seconded by Trustee Gomez, the Board unanimously approved the FY2026 Supplemental Operating Budget of $86,083,326.00 as detailed in the Financial Report.
b) Alumni Advancement Committee: There was no report.
c) Nominating Committee: There was no report.
d) Presidential Evaluation Committee: There was no report.
REPORT OF ADMINISTRATION:
a) Enrollment Update: President Glenn was pleased to share that as of the end of Add/Drop, the enrollment headcount for Fall 2025 has increased by ~16% over this time last year. Final numbers will be adjusted to account for Early College and the Fall II session, but these early indicators are encouraging. President Glenn reminded the Trustees that the target enrollment is ~6000 students.
b) Budget and Legislative Updates: President Glenn provided an update. NECC Leadership continues to monitor budgets closely to minimize disruption. Mid-year budget adjustments are still anticipated, with possible funding retractions by the Governor and minor reductions in small budget line items. Programs at the highest risk for losing funding include TRIO-Student Support Services, grants for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (although NECC currently has no active grants), and tuition equity programs. President Glenn continues to encourage Trustees and members of the Senior Administration to advocate at the state and national levels. This month, President Glenn and members of the Senior Administration attended American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Advocates in Action 2025 in Washington, DC. This conference provides college presidents and campus administrators access to higher education policymakers, experts, and other advocates. An opportunity for optimism came with Representative Baumgartner’s pledge to find ways for community colleges to “do more with more” instead of “more with less.” However, there is still uncertainty about federal funding for higher education in the coming year. President Glenn and several Vice Presidents also attended the Excelencia in Education’s 2025 Fall Convening, which provided focused sessions on strategies to support student success and grow talent for America’s future workforce and civic leadership.
c) Campus Updates: NECC is seeking new program approval for an AS in Marketing, AS in Entrepreneurial Business, and Surgical Technician Certification. The state and accreditation approval processes can be lengthy. Updates will be provided and available. President Glenn announced there will be an NECHE site visit in the spring for NECC’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) program. Having recently attended the Center for Adult Education’s Re-Entry Graduation Program, President Glenn took a moment to recognize the efforts of the staff working with justice-involved individuals through NECC’s Essex County Sheriff’s Office partnership. NECC was thrilled to host the 16th Annual MA Jobs & Workforce Summit at our Haverhill Campus last week. The Summit attracted over 200 attendees, including policymakers, business, labor, youth, direct service providers, workforce practitioners, and education leaders, where President Glenn joined Lauren Jones, Secretary, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, for this year’s Fireside Chat. President Glenn further recognized the Men’s Soccer Knights’ 3-0 win last night over rivals Bristol Community College’s Bayhawks.
d) Save-the-Date:
- Massachusetts Governance Leadership Institute, Friday, November 7, 2025, College of the Holy Cross in Worcester
- AgeSpan: Inspiring Lifelong Learning, Friday, November 14, 11:30-2:00 p.m., Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury
g) Communique: The Communique was distributed as part of the Board Packet prior to the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Grants
Chair Borislow noted three grants for approval totaling $157,517.08 and asked for a motion to approve the grants collectively. They were:
- Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: Hunger Free Campus Initiative – $15,559.08
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care: Career Pathways Supplemental Funds – $121,958.00
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development: Grants for Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in the Workforce (GROW) Planning Grant – *$20,000.00
*Pending Sponsor Approval
On a Motion presented by Trustee Hatem-Roy and seconded by Trustee Kelley, the Board unanimously approved the grants (ADM-3968-100125, ADM-3969-100125, ADM-3970-100125) totaling $157,517.08 as presented.
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: With no other business, Chair Borislow adjourned the meeting at 5:49 p.m.
