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By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

The Tyler Junior College Board of Trustees will consider at its Thursday meeting approving a partnership agreement between the college and several other entities to create a School of Nursing at East Texas Medical Center–Jacksonville.

The board will meet at 11 a.m. Thursday in the White Administrative Services Center at TJC to take action. It first meets at 10 a.m. for a work session in the board conference room.

If approved, the college would partner with Jacksonville Eco-nomic Development Corpora-tion, East Texas Medical Center and Trinity Mother Frances Health System.

Fred Peters, director of marketing and public information, said the college has been working with these partners to bring about the possible return of a nursing instructional facility in Jacks-onville.

“We had a facility a couple of years ago, and for a couple of reasons we had to move those students back into the Tyler program,” Peters said. “And we’re delighted that with the partnership of Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation, Trin-ity Mother Frances (Health System) and East Texas Medical Center, we can return that program to Jacksonville.”

The expectation is that certain portions of the school would open in August, he said. Some construction would need to take place first.

Peters said ETMC and Trinity Mother Frances Health System have made significant contributions — either financial or in-kind — and the college is appreciative of the work of the group that has been meeting about this partnership.

The board will consider approving the details of the partnership at its meeting Thursday.

Peters said more details about the partnership would be available after it is made official.

RUNOFF

Also on the agenda for approval at the board’s meeting is the order and notice of a trustee runoff election on June 14.

A runoff election will be necessary to determine whether Melinda Coker or Rohn Boone will win the Place 9 seat on the TJC board.

In a three-way race for the Place 9 seat on Saturday, Mrs. Coker led with 2,628 votes, or 41.2 percent, to Boone’s 2,541 votes, or 39.8 percent. Steven Sherwood won 1,209 votes, or 18.9 percent.

A candidate must win at least 50 percent of the vote.

Also Thursday, the board will vote to canvass and adopt the results of the election; administer the oaths of office to newly-elected trustees and elect officers for the board.

OTHER ITEMS

Other items on the agenda include consideration of resolutions in memory of George Rudy and Mike Wall; a resolution authorizing the president of the board to execute deed for the sale of delinquent tax property in Smith County; an annual report on tax abatements; amending tax abatement agreement with Hood Flexible Packaging; request for tax abatement for Sealtite Building Fasteners; monthly financial and investment reports; renewal of agreement for an on-campus clinic between TJC and ETMC; memorandum of understanding between TJC and Travelmasters; tennis court upgrade; resolution amending authorized Texpool representatives; and consideration of addendum to services agreement with Phillips Productions Inc. for continuing marketing consulting services.

During the board’s 10 a.m. session, trustees will hear an update on the Ornelas Residential Complex construction update, report on campus set-ups and maintenance, off-campus developments, discuss items on the consent agenda and have a work session on finances.

The board will also meet in closed session following its 11 a.m. meeting.

Staff Writer Lauren Grover contributed to this report.