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Board reports early fiscal surplus and approves expanding grants to ETAC/ABET‑accredited programs
Summary
Staff reported a $55,008.78 surplus early in fiscal 2026 and explained closeout-period tech and membership charges; the board approved adding ETAC/ABET‑accredited engineering‑technology programs (including MTSU) to the grants-eligibility list and asked staff to verify accredited institutions before February contracts.
In the director’s report Dec. 4, 2025, executive director Glenn summarized early fiscal‑26 financial activity and highlighted a net surplus of $55,008.78 attributed to a mix of period‑close charges and timing of recurring expenses.
Glenn walked the board through July–September closeout charges that appeared in the early quarter, including Zendesk account renewals, STS IT support charges, membership dues, travel and court-reporter services. He explained some charges were combined closeout-period items and others were apportioned admin cost‑backs. "So we're do we're doing fine," he said, reporting the $55,008.78 net surplus.
On grant guidelines, staff proposed explicitly adding ETAC (engineering-technology accreditation) and ABET‑accredited programs — naming Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) among eligible Tennessee recipients — so contracts that will issue in February reflect current accredited programs. Board members asked staff to verify which Tennessee programs hold ETAC/ABET accreditation and to include them in grant guidance; the motion to add ETAC/ABET to the eligible-programs language passed on a motion and second.
Staff said the contracts will go out in February and that updated guideline language will be circulated for informational purposes at the board’s February meeting.
