By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   In a community as close as that served by North Florida Community College, someone is bound to get hurt when decisions are required to choose among its sons and daughters, especially when that selection is for the next president of NFCC.  However, when the process concludes in befuddled gridlock, with one board member rambling on for five minutes about her lack of insight regarding the real needs of the institution, as though she hasn’t had months to investigate the institution she has long been charged to oversee, the mood in the room was visibly worsened with dozens in attendance shaking their heads in disbelief to her commentary. 
   The straw that broke the camel’s back though came when the board handed the college over to an interim president that wasn’t even among the presidential candidates being considered and whose professional profile would likely have excluded him from being a candidate.  And although John Grosskopf, currently the VP of Academic Affairs, is definitely viewed as an asset to the college, the fact that he has scarcely two years administrative experience, only marginal faculty support, and that eight out of ten people polled from the community don’t’ even know his name, leaves the college community starving for leadership and stunned by those entrusted with its governance.
   And what about the four exceptional candidates that were included in the extensive review process, namely Clyde Cruce, Brian O’Connell, Harry Rotter and Jessica Webb?  These proven professionals exhibited credentials that are arguably equal, or based on many insider’s opinions even greater, than that brought to the table by exiting President Morris Steen.  And again, intending no criticism of Grosskopf’s potential, these four candidates had success stories and management experience, especially in those areas determined to be critical to the future of NFCC.  In fact, this paper recently ran a report of a leadership training achievement Grosskopf recently completed.  However, to use an analogy mentioned by one observer: it’s like Grosskopf is a recent graduate of the Naval Academy and you don’t make his first assignment command of a battleship, referring affectionately to Steen’s exemplary career in the Navy.
   Evidence that a personal agenda was present in the selection process was revealed last month when Board Chair John Maultsby referred to the presidential search and selection committee as crazy because they did not to include Walter Boatright among the three candidates selected for final interview.  Maultsby even went so far as to trade places with fellow board member Albert Thomas so he could introduce a motion to add Boatright back into the process.  The motion, however, did not carry.
   When asked why he would second guess the two dozen carefully chosen stakeholders that comprised the selection committee, a group the board itself had empowered, literally made up of an exceptional balance of faculty and community, Maultsby stated that Boatright was the only candidate in the six county selection area that had managed a budget and number of personnel as large as NFCC.   Several suggested this was Maultsby and President Morris Steen’s intention all along, although no proof has been provided for accusations that the geographic limit of the search was intentional to make the future promotion of Boatright appear democratic.
   In order to learn more about Boatright and experience firsthand the stellar attributes he must possess for Maultsby and Steen to push such an unpopular personal agenda, this reporter attempted to speak to Boatwright, calling his office and requesting a callback on five separate occasions over a two-week period.  Boatwright never called back.  Later, Maultsby said Boatright might be laying low; also stating Boatwright wasn’t seeking reelection as Superintendent of Schools in Suwannee County.
   With the Boatwright promotion failing, whether a plan B was then deliberately contrived is unknown, but at the same time Boatright was being promoted, Grosskopf was also being touted by Maultsby to serve as interim president should no decision be reached, a move many considered a transparent attempt to keep the “Boatright or else” maneuver alive.  In fact, Maultsby drafted an email to Grosskopf announcing his intention to promote Grosskopf to the board as an interim president.
   Paraphrasing several community leaders that have no conflicts of interest in this episode but believe whole-heartedly that the needs of the faculty, staff, students and community are not being put first and that the college is on shaky ground at best:
   “I was an outspoken advocate for Morris Steen when he became President of NFCC, but over the last few months he’s become a completely different person.  The way he demoted Doug Brown a little while back was bad enough, but the sudden exit of Trish Hinton (Steen’s longtime Public Information Officer) is dumbfounding.  It seems Grosskopf is benefiting from being the only one willing to play the game with Morris.  Why else would someone who was not even qualified for presidential selection according to the standards discussed be considered to run one of our county’s most important resources,” one local notable explained.  “I don’t even know who or what Grosskopf is all about.  He wouldn’t have ever passed the selection committee”
   “The dog and pony show Morris (Steen), Amelia (Mulkey) and John (Grosskopf) put on last month to startle the board into eliminating the Athletic Program was nothing short of manipulation.  They told the board that it would cause huge problems in the budgeting process by taking another month to consider all options, implying that the numbers presented in an elaborate PowerPoint presentation were absolute and the deadline was immediate.  And yet tonight (the May 20 meeting) they reintroduced a revised list of management and instructional contracts for approval, representing a dollar amount considerably more than athletics.  In the end, the numbers weren’t firm and actually came back from Tallahassee better than expected,” another noted.
   “NFCC is having problems from all the expenses associated with the programs and facilities it has capitalized over the last few years.  While Morris (Steen) is running around bragging about all the growth coming from PECO (Public Education Capital Outlay) funding, he neglects to say that once the projects are completed they must be supported by general funds.  The sad reality is that the cost of maintaining these facilities is crippling the college, but worse is that the programs aren’t profitable either,” still another insider added.
   Brought in under Brown only a few years ago, who was then the VP of Academic Affairs, Grosskopf was invited to expand his involvement on the campus to include an administrative role.  Garnering praise as an English instructor at the time, Grosskopf joined Brown’s team where he was inexplicably bumped up the ladder over Brown in what insiders characterize as practically overnight.  Each new position acquired by Grosskopf was not advertised, as is customary, even the final promotion to VP. 
   No explanation was offered in terms of why Grosskopf’s move over Brown was best for faculty, staff or student.  In fact, numerous faculty stated how desperate they were to speak out about it but were afraid of reprisals from Steen if they did, especially now in light of Hinton’s and Athletic Director Dr. Steve Givens’ exit, the latter of which was contrary to statements made at the April 15 meeting.   Hinton’s exit was unknown to three board members who were contacted regarding it.  Again, the only point for certain is that the issue must have been sudden because Hinton’s name was on the list of contracts presented to the board for approval last month.
   In the Community College section of the Florida Department of Education website, there are several detailed references to the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees.  Two excerpts from the site speak very well to all the issues above:

Ten Truisms of Trusteeship

1. Individual trustees have no authority.
2. Trustees should not circumvent proper channels.
3. Trustees should not violate confidentiality.
4. Trustees should not represent special interests.
5. Trustees should not speak or vote for political purposes.
6. Trustees should not have hidden agendas.
7. Trustees should not engage in conflicts of interest.
8. Trustees should not engage in surprises.
9. Trustees should not say or do anything that is not in the best interest of the College and community.
10. Trustees should not interfere in administration.

Trustee Job Description

1. Appoint, support, and assess the performance of the president.
2. Clarify the institution’s mission.
3. Approve long-range plans.
4. Approve the educational program.
5. Ensure the well-being of faculty, students, and staff.
6. Ensure strong financial management.
7. Ensure adequate financial resources.
8. Preserve institutional autonomy.
9. Interpret the campus to the community.
10. Interpret the needs of society to the campus.
11. Serve as a court of last appeal.
12. Assess their own performance.

   From here many are urging suggestions ranging from reaching out to Steen and Maultsby to more extreme measures of contacting Dr. Willis N. Holcombe, Chancellor, Division of Community Colleges and letting him know that the intended checks and balances between the board and administration has utterly fallen apart.  After all, it’s the Madison economy and community family that’s most exposed to the consequences of breakdown. 
   Perhaps the most moving and revealing comment came from an alumnus who was recently recognized during one of the NFCC 50th Anniversary celebrations.  “I looked around the Student Center after the vote to approve the interim president was concluded and I thought I’d seen happier faces at a funeral.  Practically speaking, we have to find a way to make sure the needs of the many aren’t circumvented by the actions of a few or in the case of the board, the ignorance of a few.  I pray for a remedy and a return to the excellence and care that has been lost and I urge everyone to do the same.  But we also need to help ourselves, so I also urge everyone to call the Chancellor and everyone with a stake in the college.”  The Chancellors’s number is (850) 245-0407 and his email is ChancellorCC@fldoe.org.
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

NFCC Audit Filled With Red Flags

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   On March 26, the Auditor General for the State of Florida issued report No. 2008-143, a Financial Audit of North Florida Community College, for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2007.  The document contains a variety of statements and summaries, including a first-page section titled “Material Weakness.”  This section heading denotes that the college’s financial statements contained errors or omissions significant to the degree that the state auditor wrote the following recommendation in the audit:
   “The College should establish adequate controls over financial reporting to ensure the amounts reported on the financial statements are accurate and complete, and fairly stated in accordance with GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles).”
   The report also noted that “When financial statements are not accurately prepared, the College’s Board of Trustees, management, and other users of the financial statements are without a proper basis for evaluating College operations and for assessing the College’s financial condition.”
   During discussion with NFCC Chief Business Officer Amelia Mulkey and President Morris Steen regarding the several negative aspects of the audit, both stated that those areas of concern would turn around over the next few years just as more large capital outlays were completed.  They noted that the correction regarding a three million dollar entry related to money that comes from the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) trust fund weakened the current financial statements but was simply a bookkeeping issue that would reverse and smooth out in the future.  
   They further noted that the condition was not a result of any preventable expenses, overbuilding, faltering enrollment, expensive and unprofitable new programs, staff salaries or even the slightest degree of financial mismanagement.  Still, state accounting reports are carefully established and when PECO projects go live they shift to general funding, meaning that the spike in costs associated with them can be devastating to the budget if not managed properly.  And when comparisons with other struggling schools were made, no one explained why Chipola, a community college west of Tallahassee often compared to NFCC, was not undergoing these same drastic changes and had athletic programs that were flourishing.
   Regarding details of the audit, the first clear indication of financial concern in the report was the trend to less profitability.  The “Loss Before Other Revenues, Expenses, Gains, or Losses” is a long-named number more commonly known as “The Bottom Line,” which can be show Income or Loss.  It takes into account Operating Revenues, Non-Operating Revenues and Expenses. 
   Schools receive state appropriations in addition to revenue items like tuition and grants, which are included in this figure.  There are additional monies that can come into the College as well in the form of gifts and other capital contributions, but in an apples-to-apples comparison, it is the basic bottom line. 
The year-to-year comparison is also important.  Unfortunately, in both instances, the loss and the year-to-year differences, the numbers are worrisome.  The 2006 Loss was $503,000 and, in 2007, the loss expanded to $1,186,000.
   Again, these numbers alone might simply identify a period of transition and therefore require further investigation to get at overall financial strength.  In order to get a quick snapshot of financial strength, an indicator known as the Current Ratio can be employed to develop that picture.
   The Current Ratio is a financial ratio that measures whether or not an organization has enough resources to pay its debts over the next 12 months.  It compares an organization’s current assets to its current liabilities. 
   According to Investopedia, Current Ratio is a liquidity ratio that measures a company's ability to pay short-term obligations.  It is calculated as current assets divided by current liabilities.
   The site further states that the ratio is mainly used to give an idea of an organization’s ability to pay back its short-term liabilities (debt and payables) with its short-term assets (cash and receivables).  The higher the current ratio, the more capable the organization is of paying its obligations. 
   A ratio under one suggests that the organization would be unable to pay off its obligations if they came due at that point.  And while this could mean an organization is not in good financial health, it does not necessarily mean that it will go bankrupt - as there are many ways to access financing or to pull down reserves - but it is definitely not a good sign.
The Current Ratio for NFCC for 2006 was well above one, sitting at 2.7, which could generally be characterized as good.  In other words, the current assets were 2.7 times greater than current liabilities during that fiscal year. 
The Current Ratio for 2007, however, was no longer above one, having fallen to 0.84.  So in a basic overview, at the time if this audit, the college has 84 cents of current assets for every dollar it currently owes, which again, as noted above, refers to a 12-month period.  There is also no reason to believe the 2008 condition has improved, creating more incentive on the faculty’s assertion that wagons are being circled and only the top few insiders are allowed in to know the real picture.
The fact that assets of the college continue to grow is no longer a point of celebration apparently.  The new Science Center and furnishings alone represent a near six million dollar increase and now all the expenses associated with that immense property.  Politics aside, a case might be made for this simply being a period of building for the future while trying to manage the economic challenges of today.  At the end of the day though, cash flow must be made sufficient to meet obligations, revenues must increase with enrollment and cash management must be expertly handled and developed.
“Blaming it on the state and cutbacks is all good and fine, but I want to know more about the financial expertise of those top people over there.  The board has certainly not shown any meaningful financial oversight and I know Morris isn’t a financial guy.  I thought the rest of them were mostly promoted educators,” one concerned alum noted.
   Another asked, “If this new growth and financial demands were too complex for the administration to manage and wasn’t handled right over the last few years, then why would we have the same people managing it now, especially in light of recent comments by the Board of Trustees?  I just want to know who’s checking on the folks there now.”
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Memorial Day Service Set For Monday In Madison

By Tyrra B Meserve
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is the day reserved for remembrance of those men and women in uniform who have bravely given their lives in service to this country. Honoring both Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the War Between the States, it was expanded, soon after World War I, to include all who died in war or military action. With the flag flying at half-staff from dawn until noon local time and the Indianapolis 500 running in conjunction the Sunday before, according to tradition since 1911, many people will also observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials of loved ones. Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday of May, will be observed on May 26 this year, with a national Moment of Remembrance taking place at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. At 11 a.m., a tribute to those from Madison County who lost their lives in service to this country will be held at the Gazebo in the Madison City Park.
   A time for picnics, sporting events and other family gatherings, many Americans view Memorial Day as the unofficial end of school season and the beginning of summer. The true meaning behind the observance, however, continues to be the reminder of those who gave their lives in order to ensure this nation’s freedom and the fact that “freedom isn’t free.” A noble observance, many cities and towns across the nation claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, showing the patriotic nature of this country’s heart, however in May 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York to be the official birthplace of the tradition. This is an unimportant technicality, as the spirit behind Memorial Day remains in that the holiday is not about division, but reconciliation.
   From the American Revolution to the current involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, over 650,000 Americans have lost their lives in battle for this country. Madison County itself has lost 28 heroic young men in the battles that took place in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Along with their names, which are engraved on a monument at the southeast corner of the Four Freedoms Park, three additional names that have been recently added and their families will be recognized at the program being held at the park on Memorial Day. An event sponsored by Big Bend Hospice, there will be cookies and mints, patriotic music provided by Jim Jenkins, and the keynote speech by Harry Rotter.
   All are invited to join the Madison veterans, their families and loved ones at 11 a.m. at the Gazebo. For more information, please contact Oliver Bradley at 464-1191.
As Abraham Lincoln reminded this country: “Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”

Madison County Sheriff’s Office Is Sponsoring Golf Tournament

   The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is having a golf tournament in support of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches on Friday, May 30. Tee times are at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
This is the Sheriff’s Office’s only fundraiser for the year and they are seeking your support for the event. As many know, the Youth Ranches offer homes, food, education and direction for many young people who are either abandoned or neglected, helping them become productive citizens.
         People can help by:
1. Corporate Sponsorship - $1000.00 (includes Banner, Team and Tee Sign)
2. Sponsoring a team - $200.00
3. Sponsoring a hole - $50.00
4. Providing door prizes
5. Donating “golf” or other items for the player’s bags
6. Cash donations are always welcome and are deductible.
   A person and their company will receive recognition for their donation and will be provided (upon request) an itemized statement for tax purposes. Make checks payable to the Madison County Sheriff’s Youth Ranch Golf Tournament or directly to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.
   This year, Timberland Ford of Perry is sponsoring a hole-in-one for the tournament. Timberland will give a Ford Edge to the first person to hit a hole-in-one.
   This is the MCSO’s third year of sponsoring a golf tournament for the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches. If you have questions, please contact David Ballenger at ballengercd@flcjn.net or 850-869-0054 cell or 850-973-4001.