Board structure

St. Petersburg College is governed by the Board of Trustees, which consists of five board members.  Duties and responsibilities of the Board are delineated in Florida

Statute and State Board of Education rule 6A-14.024.

Each community college Board of Trustees in the State of Florida is constituted a body corporate by the name of “The Board of Trustees of (name of community college), Florida”.  The name of this organization is the Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College.

The current board members are:

Current Chairman:  Evelyn Bilirakis was appointed to the St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees by Gov. Jeb Bush in May 1999. A Palm Harbor resident, she is a Realtor and a medical technologist.  She has raised funds for SPC’s Women-on-the-Way program and was instrumental in the community development and planning of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art on the project’s Capital Campaign Steering Committee.  Her Associate in Arts degree is from the University of Florida and her Medical Technology Certificate is from Atlanta's Grady Memorial Hospital.  Her many memberships include the Daughters of Penelope, and the Congressional Club.  Mrs. Bilirakis was elected Chairman of the current Board of Trustees on July 18, 2006.

Current Vice Chairman:  W. Richard Johnston was appointed to the St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees by Gov. Jeb Bush in February 1999.  He was reappointed by Governor Bush effective May 31, 2006 and further reappointed by Governor Crist in January 2007.  A CPA, he runs his own accounting firm in St. Petersburg. A graduate of the University of Akron, he served earlier on SPC's Board of Trustees (1969-80) and was its chairman 1975-79.  His community service includes being president of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and holding memberships on the Florida Postsecondary Education Planning Commission, State Community College Coordinating Board, University of South Florida Campus Advisory Board, and the USF Presidential Selection Committee.

Kenneth P. Burke was appointed to the St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees by Gov. Jeb Bush in May 1999.  A Seminole resident, he is a Certified Public Accountant and in 2004 was elected Clerk of the Court for Pinellas County.  He is an SPJC graduate and served twice as president of the SPJC Alumni Association.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida.  His other public service includes the Seminole Economic Task Force (Chairman), the All Children's Hospital Development Council, Leadership St. Petersburg, the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club (Past President) and the Suncoast Legal Administrators Association.  In September 2005, he became Chair of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) for a one-year term and he continues to serve on the Executive Committee.   

Cecil B. Keene was appointed to the St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees by Gov. Jeb Bush in April 2001.  A St. Petersburg resident, he is retired from SPC, where he was a Counselor and College Articulation Officer.  Before joining the College, he was Dean of Students and Admissions at Gibbs Junior College. Earlier, he was Principal of Gibbs High School and Clearwater’s former Pinellas High School.  He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army in Italy during World War II.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee Institute (now University) and a Master of Arts from Atlanta University.

Deveron Gibbons was appointed to the St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees by Gov. Jeb Bush effective May 31, 2006.  He was reappointed by Governor Crist in January 2007.  Gibbons, 33, is vice president of Public Affairs with Amscot Financial Corp.  He was born in St. Petersburg and remains a resident.  He is a graduate of Northeast High School and the University of Florida. Gibbons is a 1995 graduate of UF with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.  He is enrolled at the University of South Florida working toward a master’s degree in Public Administration.  He has extensive experience in public and governmental affairs as a consultant, political advisor and registered lobbyist for a wide spectrum of clients.

Board members of the Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College have an excellent reputation, as indicated by requests on several occasions from the Chancellor of the Florida Community College system to educate the trustees of other colleges. 

Board Process

Each community college Board of Trustees is vested with the responsibility to operate its respective community college and with the authority needed for the proper operation and improvement of the college.  Each community college Board of Trustees is specifically authorized to adopt rules, procedures, and policies, consistent with State law and rules of the State Board of Education, to guide college governance, personnel, budget and finance, administration, programs, curriculum and instruction, buildings and grounds, travel and purchasing, technology, students, contracts and grants, or college property.  The Board of Trustees Rules and Procedures are maintained on the St. Petersburg College Web site and referenced as appropriate in the College Catalog, Faculty Manual, and Student Handbook.

All meetings of the board at which official acts will be taken must be open to the public at all times.  The board provides reasonable notice of all such meetings and records the minutes of each meeting promptly, and these minutes are open to public inspection.

Minutes of board meetings provide clear evidence that the board is an active policy-making body with ultimate responsibility for financial resources, including those appropriated by the Florida State Legislature (See 3.2.2 Legal Authority).  The Board of Trustees meets on the third Tuesday of each month, with special meetings as needed.  Each board member has one equal vote on all items of public interest with which the College is involved.  All votes are taken in public meetings, open to the public at all time and no resolution, rule or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at such meeting.

Board Control 

By the authority granted in Florida Statute 1001.64  Community college boards of trustees; powers and duties, the Board controls the institution through the establishment of board rules, the review of institutional performance, and the approval of the College’s strategic plans and budgets.

The following are some specific examples of rules established by the Board of Trustees to comply with additional sections of the same Florida Statute:

Board focus

Florida Statute 1001.6   Community college boards of trustees; powers and duties also defines the focus of the regular operations of Boards of Trustees.  To comply with the Florida Statute, the Board carefully reviews and approves all College fees, strategic plans, budgets, annual financial reports, and educational programs.  In addition, the Board conducts an annual performance evaluation of the College President that includes a substantive review of the overall performance of the College.

The Florida Statute provides the following direction:

Excerpt from Florida Statute 1001.64  Community college boards of trustees; powers and duties

(8d)Boards of trustees shall identify their core curricula, which shall include courses required by the State Board of Education …

(10)Each board of trustees shall establish fees pursuant to [other statutes].

(11)Each board of trustees shall submit an institutional budget request, including a request for fixed capital outlay, and an operating budget to the State Board of Education for approval in accordance with guidelines established by the State Board of Education.

(14)Each board of trustees shall develop a strategic plan specifying institutional goals and objectives for the community college for recommendation to the State Board of Education.

(19)… The board of trustees shall conduct annual evaluations of the president in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education and submit such evaluations to the State Board of Education for review. The evaluation must address the achievement of the performance goals established by the accountability … and the performance of the president in achieving the annual and long-term goals and objectives established in the community college's employment accountability program …

Board Agendas.  Board Agendas for the previous two years show that the Board focuses on the issues prescribed by Florida Statute.  The following is an excerpt from a typical Board Agenda:

Sample Board of Trustees Agenda, 03-21-2006
 

AGENDA ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2006  Excerpt           D.     CAPITAL OUTLAY, MAINTENANCE, RENOVATION, AND                      CONSTRUCTION 1.       2005/2006 Sanitation, Casualty and Safety Inspection Report 2.      Recommendation for Revision to Selection Process for Design  Professionals 1.      (Architects and Engineers) and Construction Managers at Risk 2.      Update on Applied Fiber Land Use Plan Amendment – for discussion only* 3.      Selection of Design-Build Firm for Clearwater Campus 4.      Request Site Designation for Midtown 5.      Amendment #3 to the Center of Achievement Lease Agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of St. Petersburg (SPC Midtown) 6.      Update Lease Status for Lima Lakes LLC, ICOT Lease (former Corporate Training Facility – Nickel Plate Properties) – for discussion only* 7.      Update on Retail Property, Downtown Center – for discussion only* 8.      Update on Bay Pines Property – for discussion only*           E.      AGENCY BILLINGS           F.      PERSONNEL 1.            Personnel Report 2.            Executive/Administrative/Managerial and Professional Position Listings                      3.     Faculty Annual Contract Recommendations           G.     PROPOSED CHANGES TO BOT RULES MANUAL – Public Hearing                  •      Rule 6Hx23-4.02 Admission Requirements                  •      Rule 6Hx23-4.68 Requirements of the Radiography Program                  •      Rule 6Hx23-5.17 Student Fees             H.     CURRICULUM 1.            Credit Curriculum 2.            Noncredit Curriculum and Fees

Board Minutes.  The following are examples of the Board’s active role from minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting approving changes to curricula, Strategic Directions and Institutional Objectives and approving the Capital Outlay Budget, including increases in student fees.  After every Board meeting, the President maintains a list of action items from that meeting and confers with the Board Chairman to ensure the Board is satisfied with the completed actions.

Excerpt from Board Meeting Minutes regarding Curricula  3-21-06
 

06-075.        The president sought approval of Curriculum Items IX-H.1-H.2.  Mrs. Bilirakis moved approval.  Mr. Johnston seconded the motion.  Mrs. Bilirakis voted aye; Mr. Burke voted aye; Mr. Johnston voted aye; Dr. Jones voted aye; and Mr. Keene voted aye.  Motion carried.                    Information regarding these items is as follows: Board Material Relating to  Agenda Item IX-H.1 Meeting: March 21, 2006 MEMORANDUM DATE:              March 21, 2006 TO:                 Board of Trustees, St. Petersburg College FROM:             Carl M. Kuttler, Jr. SUBJECT:         Credit Curriculum Authorization is requested for the following to become effective Session III, 2005-2006, subject to Board of Trustees approval:  COURSE CHANGES: SYP 2460       EFFECTS OF DISASTERS ON SOCIETY                         3 credits Prerequisite:  SYG 2000.  This course focuses on human behavior and the stages of human response during and after a natural or man-made disaster; for example, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, chemical spills, nuclear power plant accidents, riots, etc.  47 contact hours.

Excerpt from Board Meeting Minutes regarding Strategic Directions
 

06-047.  The president sought approval of Item IX-K, 2006-2009 Strategic Directions/2006-2007 Institutional Objectives.  Dr. Jones expressed appreciation for all the efforts in making the objectives measurable and the positive evolution of this document.  …  Mr. Johnston commented on the importance of this document in guiding the College into its future.  Mr. Burke thanked Dr. Jones for her leadership on this document and for motivating the Board’s review.  …  Mr. Burke commended staff for including continued development of the Honors College (B.5) and encouraged continued work on the articulation agreements with other colleges.  He also asked for information on the e-portfolio system noted in C.4, which was defined by Dr. Jim Olliver, Provost of the Seminole Campus/eCampus.  He further expressed appreciation for the commitment to male minorities and Hispanics.  Dr. Jones encouraged documentation of savings realized from reduced travel and transportation costs in relation to C.11.  Mr. Johnston commented that Objective F is effective toward educating the community and legislators on the community college role.

          Dr. Jones moved approval to accept this document as presented, with compliments to all whose efforts were involved in bringing it to the Board.  Mr. Johnston seconded the motion.  Mrs. Bilirakis voted aye; Mr. Burke voted aye; Mr. Johnston voted aye; Dr. Jones voted aye; and Mr. Keene voted aye.  Motion carried.

Excerpt from Board meeting Minutes regarding budget
 

06-143. … Mr. Burke moved approval of Item IX-M, with corrections as noted, and included Item IX-N, Annual Capital Outlay Budget, Operating Budget and Auxiliary Fund Budget, and Salary Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2006-2007.

          In regard to Item IX-N, the president noted that the administrative staff listened carefully at the last meeting to Board feedback regarding pools of money for salaries.  He said Faculty meetings are currently being set up and thanked Faculty Senate President Joe Leopold for his good communication on behalf of the Faculty.  As equity discussions continue, he said he anticipates recommendations for career and administrative staff will be made at the July Board meeting for retroactive adjustments, in accordance with guidance previously given by the Board.

          Mr. Johnston seconded the motion.  Mr. Gibbons voted aye; Mr. Johnston voted aye; Mr. Burke voted aye; and Mr. Keene voted aye.  Motion carried.  

Excerpt from Board Meeting Minutes regarding student fees  6-20-06
 

06-137.  A rulemaking hearing was conducted for the purpose of amending and/or adopting changes to the Board of Trustees Rules and Procedures Manual.  Proof of public notice of this meeting is included as a part of these minutes.  Internal notice was published in the Blue and White and notices were duly posted.  The chairman requested comments from the public.  Mr. David Henniger, College Attorney, offered for the Board's acceptance Composite Exhibit 1 – Rulemaking Record for the rules being presented at the June 20, 2006 Board Meeting.  The Board accepted Composite Exhibit 1 as part of its Rulemaking Record.  The president sought approval of Item IX-G.  Mr. Johnston moved approval.  Mr. Burke seconded the motion.  Mr. Gibbons voted aye; Mr. Johnston voted aye; Mr. Burke voted aye; and Mr. Keene voted aye.  Motion carried.

Board Material Relating to
 Agenda Item IX-G
Meeting: June 20, 2006

Board of Trustees’ Rules

College Attorney’s Office

EpiCenter 

Approval is sought for the following proposed changes to the Rules and Procedures Manual, which are being submitted for your consideration:

6Hx23-5.17 Student Fees The proposed changes will reduce lab fees for Anatomy & Physiology I & II, delete some lab fees, which are no longer applicable and add a new application fee for the International Study Program.  The proposed changes will also increase registration fees for upper- and lower-division courses for Florida and Non Florida residents and will increase fees for noncredit Postsecondary Adult Vocational courses for Florida and Non Florida residents, as approved by the Legislature.

College Mission.  The Board carefully considered the proposed revision of the College’s mission statement, approved by the Board of Trustees.  In preliminary coordination, one Board member noted:

Email coordination from Board member
 

From: Jones, Susan D [mailto:susan.d.jones@bankofamerica.com]
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2005 5:39 PM
To: Kim Corry
Subject: RE: SPC Missions and Goals

Kim,

This looks fine from my point of view however we may want to consider putting the goals into two categories (primary and secondary?) since there are so many of them. When resources are tight, it would make prioritizing support easier if the goals were already prioritized. Just a suggestion. No immediate action necessary.

Susan

President’s evaluation

The annual President’s Evaluation is a composite report including ratings in the areas of Leadership, Personnel, Fiscal Management, Resource Management, Academic/Student Issues, Board Relationship, External Relationships, Statutory Factors, and comments from each Board member:

Over the last several years, the process of preparing the President’s Evaluation has been formalized to incorporate the objectives set in the College’s strategic planning process.  The President’s Evaluation is based, in part, on a Year-End Report that identifies the specific actions taken by the President and his staff on each of the Strategic Directions and Institutional Objectives.  For example, in the Strategic Direction to “Deliver excellent educational programs and improve learning outcomes using a variety of learner-centered approaches,” one of the objectives was to:

Excerpt from President’s 2005-2006 Evaluation

Sample SPC Institutional Objective:
 

1. Develop and implement two (2) new A.S. Certificate programs and noncredit programs in high-tech areas and in response to workplace and student demands.

The President’s answer to the Board in the Year-End Report was:

Excerpt from President’s 2006 Year-end Report
 

Implemented Lean Six Sigma in both credit and no credit versions.  Both are currently being offered to students and also on a contractual basis to businesses.  Also began implementing the Game Development curriculum and the Parks and Leisure Services curriculum.  The Parks and Leisure Services program has been approved and the first course will be offered in the fall of 2006.  It is the College’s first true multimodal program, being offered simultaneously via interactive technology, a live stream, and archived video for online students.  The first in the series of game development courses were offered in 2005-06, and development of all courses in the sequence will be completed by the fall of 2006.

Another Institutional Objective under that same Strategic Objective supported the distance learning mission:

Sample SPC Institutional Objective
 

6.  Extend student access and success through continued growth of the Electronic Campus and related e-learning initiatives, including the addition of at least three (3) new A.S. and certificate programs, which will be marketed nationally.

The President’s Year-End Report gave the following status:

Excerpt from President’s 2006 Year-end Report
 

The Electronic Campus continues to grow significantly each semester. According to the most recent numbers released by the State of Florida, SPC’s eCampus is the largest among community colleges in the state (for 2004-05) in unduplicated annual headcount (16,656), number of courses (duplicated annual – 2309) and total number enrolled (duplicated annual – 45,041).  For the spring of 2006, SPC’s eCampus grew by 10% over a year ago (17,662 vs. 16,022), and the numbers for this summer are equally impressive – another double digit percentage increase over last summer, and nearly as many student semester hours generated as the SP/G and CL Campuses combined!  Cybersecurity is a new fully-online degree.  In addition, Technology Management is fully online and the new International Business and Banking programs will be online.  The new Parks and Leisure Services will stretch the model further by having full streaming video of all classes, therefore creating a national market.

Another strategic direction, “Provide excellent service to students to enhance their learning experiences and help them achieve,” had an objective to:

Sample SPC Institutional Objective
 

7.  Continue the development of an Honors College, and articulation agreements with selective nationally renowned institutions including historical Black colleges and universities resulting in approximately double the number of students enrolled in the Honors College.

The President’s action described in the Year-End Report was:

Excerpt from President’s 2006 Year-end Report
 

The Seminole Campus set aside space inside its Collaborative Commons for an “Honors Corner” – a place honors students can meet and work together on assignments.  The number of Honors College students has almost doubled this year.  Articulation agreements are on track for signing with our partners.

One final example, taken from the strategic direction, “Strengthen the College’s identity as a vital community resource, including an emphasis on economic development,” had an objective to:

Sample SPC Institutional Objective

4.  Develop strategic public and private partnerships in economic development through full implementation of the EpiCenter and participation with Pinellas County Economic Development and business recruitment teams.

The Year-End Report described the highly successful partnership with Pinellas County at the new EpiCenter:

Excerpt from President’s 2006 Year-end Report
 

The EpiCenter, (a joint partnership between St. Petersburg College and Pinellas County government) is a full-service, comprehensive economic, workforce, and community development resource facility for Pinellas County, the region and the state.  The EpiCenter offers leadership in program development; access to state-of-the-art educational facilities, programs, and laboratories; and the delivery of advanced technology and economic development programs and services.  The EpiCenter offers a comprehensive array of programs and services including:

St. Petersburg College

• Administrative offices of St. Petersburg College.

• High technology certificates such as Cisco Certified Network Associate, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Oracle Certified Database Administrator, etc.

• Bachelor’s in Technology Management and related degrees.

• High demand bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered through the University Partnership Center, including a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida.

• Customized corporate and public courses in computer technology and management.

• Collaborative planning and decision-making facilitation services.

• Business retention and support services.

• Counseling and technical support for new and expanding businesses.

• Limited rental of classroom, laboratory, meeting, and conference space on a space-available basis.

• Facilities for conferences, meetings, and receptions sponsored by the College or Pinellas County Economic Development.

Pinellas County

• Pinellas County Economic Development – enterprise development, feasibility studies, business planning, business retention and expansion, import/export development.

• Pinellas Workforce Development Board – workforce administration.

• St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention and Visitors Bureau – recreation and tourism planning, convention planning.

• Pinellas Arts Council – displays of art by Pinellas County artists. 

 

Excerpt from President’s 2006 Year-end Report, continued
 

In an effort to build awareness regarding the programs and services available at the EpiCenter, 25 Grand Opening events were conducted with over 2,000 business, community, and civic leaders attending.

In addition to the numeric evaluation section of the form, Board members are invited to add written comments to the President’s Evaluation.  Comments from Board members have been highly complimentary over the years.

Sample comments from Board members from the 2005-2006 evaluation
 

Bilirakis:

Dr. Kuttler continues to be an outstanding leader.  He, in my mind, is the best president that a college is fortunate to have.  He is surrounded by good staff and is able to delegate to them.  He also works well with the Board of Trustees.  He is highly respected in the community and by the Governor and state legislators.  The college is highly respected throughout the County because of his leadership.

Johnston:

Dr. Kuttler is constantly planning and taking the College into new and higher endeavors to better serve the citizens of our area.  Dr. Kuttler has positioned the College in a leadership role among other educational institutions, not only in our area, but throughout this Country and internationally.  His leadership has accelerated the four-year program.  He is continually introducing new ideas that keep the College on the cutting edge of delivering education. …

Dr. Kuttler’s performance has been exceptional.  Under his leadership, St. Petersburg College is meeting its goal of providing quality educational opportunities to a diverse student body.  The implementation of technology, commitment to equal educational opportunity, and the responsiveness to community needs (i.e., the need for four-year degree opportunities in Pinellas) are shining examples of his skilled implementation of the Board of Trustees’ vision.

In my opinion, Dr. Kuttler has made SPC one of the best community colleges in the country.

The organizational chart of St. Petersburg College clearly shows the authority of the Board over the College and its relationship to the President.