The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Board of Trustees wrapped up agenda items swiftly Thursday afternoon, providing a report on overall student performance, approving construction projects and setting goals for the future.

Student performance showed significant progress in specific areas of study when compared to other community colleges in the state, according to Dr. Jane G. Hulon, vice president of instructional services.

Co-Lin students achieved scores slightly lower than the statewide average of 72.7 percent in English composition at 71.9 percent. On the other hand, students scored significantly higher on intermediate and college algebra, when compared against the state average. In intermediate algebra for instance, Co-Lin students maintained an 80.5 completion percentage, up nearly 10 points from the 71.4 state percentage.

Based on enrollment numbers released at the meeting, there were 5,390 students that attended Co-Lin College in 2010-2011. There were a total of 689 degrees awarded. Of these, 362 were AA Degrees and 187 were AAS degrees.

Of note, the college’s participation of 679 students in their community professional development programs accounted for three percent of participation in the entire state according to Hulon.

“So long as our students stay enrolled, we tend to outpace other colleges on graduation,” said Hulon.

Fifteen separate items that cost more than $5,000 were approved by the board, netting a total of $260,358 in spending. Special assessments totaled $20,456 in spending, which the board approved unanimously.

In other news, the board moved to hire Constance Lantz Ferrell for the position of Workforce Training Specialist at the Wesson campus. Ferrell will start the position Monday, Oct. 14. The board also approved the hire of Kashondra Jaynes as part-time police officer for the Simpson County Center/Co-Lin District.

Total revenue for the month of September, as reported by Michael Tanner, the vice president of business Affairs, was just over $13,700,000. Total expenditures stood at $13,424,925, leaving a change in fund balance of $275,234.

President of the board, Dr. Ronald Nettles, updated the board with a report on projects meant to align with an upcoming accreditation review. In part, the report was a wish list for the upcoming school year, and included speculative plans to reduce student loan default rates and develop a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The report also mentioned securing additional funding for ongoing projects such as the construction and renovation of campus buildings, and future projects, such as construction of a new woman’s dormitory.

Board member Melton King announced a recommendation to accept “the lowest and best bids” from Haas Factory Outlet and Grizzly Industrial Inc. on a lathe turning center, control simulator, engine lathe and two vertical milling centers. The board approved all requests.

Immediately after, the board approved another bid from Metro Mechanical, Inc. for a ventilation system for a career-tech welding lab at the Natchez Campus.

Trustee Rickey Clopton delivered an energy management report for the board. The college hit their target of $80,854 for energy savings, with actual savings through the fourth quarter standing at $91,078 according to a report by Johnson Controls.

Finally, the board wrapped up the meeting with approval of a 2013 campus security and safety report as required by the Higher Education Act.

Homecoming is Saturday, Oct. 12, at Co-Lin. The board will meet again Nov. 7 in the Thames Center at 4:30 p.m.