Board approves Strategic Plan for Northeast Texas Community College

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com
 
The cost of hiring a firm to manage the Strategic Plan for Northeast Texas Community College met with vocal disapproval from board of trustee member Chuck Johns at the board’s Aug. 27 meeting.
The board approved a contract with Interact Communications that will facilitate the Strategic Plan. All members of the board voted for the hire, except Mr. Johns who voted against hiring the firm.
 “It would not sound right to me that they would guarantee results if we paid them another $50,000,” Mr. Johns said. “To me this is a bit of a dice roll and for that reason, I cannot support it.”
Dr. Johnson said none of the firms had any guarantee except this firm.
“We had a request for certain qualifications and five firms met the qualifications,” Dr. Johnson said. “They were involved with a team who would have the most contact with them. They have successfully moved programs like this at other schools. That the firm has as guarantee price shows they are pretty confident. The more risk you share, the more you pay up front.”