FSCC trustees approve $12 million budget

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees met Monday night to discuss the budget for the upcoming school year.

The board voted unanimously to adopt the nearly $12 million budget created for the 2007-08 school year. The college does not plan to stray from the budget but should the need arise, the school board will be consulted, FSCC President Clayton Tatro said.

The FSCC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Mrytle Anne Colum recognized FSCC Dean of Finance and Operations Darcy Baldonado and her staff for their hard work in the budget creation.

Architects from Hight-Jackson Associates were present at the meeting. With the use of visual aids and a power point demonstration, they explained the creation of the new Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity. The architects want to give the building a creative artistic appearance, Kade Jacobs, an architect from Hight-Jackson Associates, said.

The proposed $7 million fine arts facility will house an auditorium which will seat about 600 people. A cultural center will also be included in the building. Three meeting rooms will be constructed, in addition to a classroom wing. The ground breaking for the new building will be Oct. 3, 2007.

Board members discussed the fees for the truck driving school. An increase in the fees will take effect for this academic year. The truck driving students will be required to pay a $50 drug screen fee in addition, $100 fuel surcharge will be a requirement. With the rising fuel costs, the college must charge this extra fee. Even with the extra fees, FSCC is still very competitive with other schools in the area, Tatro said.

The trustees reviewed and approved policies about student conduct and hiring procedures. The board will review the purchasing policy and vote on it during the next meeting. Flexible working time was also discussed. Though this is a practice that is already being done, the board should get the procedure in writing, Tatro said.

Colum voiced her opinion on the matter of flextime.

"We have a combination of life issues in combination with work issues. We must realize this," she said.

Tatro agreed that flextime was a good tool to have in place should it be needed.

"It benefits the school as well as the employees," he said.

The board briefly discussed the bidding process. Baldonado informed the trustees that the FSCC was not obligated to use the lowest bid provided. They have the option of choosing the bid that most benefits the college. Also, this allows FSCC to use local vendors if that is what they decide to do, she said.

A potential partnership with the Kansas Small Business Development Center was discussed.

"FSCC has an opportunity to partner with KSBC out of Pittsburg State University to enhance the college's impact on small business development and entrepreneurship. We can work collaboratively with the other community colleges in Southeast Kansas to bring a full-time KSBDC counselor to our campuses 1-2 days per week," written material provided by FSCC said.

The cost of this program will be $5,000-$10,000 for each community college. This will depend on the number of community colleges that participate in the program, the material said.

A lengthy discussion about tax credits was conducted by the board.

"Tax credits will become available as of July 1, 2008, for capital improvements and equipment. Each community college will have access to the same amount of tax credits," written material provided by FSCC said.

In 2008, there will be $78,125 tax credits available for use, the material said. The tax credits are slated to increase for the next couple of years. In 2012, the tax credits available is projected to be $208,233, the material said.

The FSCC students will return to classes on Aug. 20 of this year.

In other board matters, the board conducted the following disussions:

* Approval of previous meeting's minutes

* Approval of treasurer's report, bills and claims

* Approval of resignation of Brett Macklin as head athletlic trainer effective July 31, 2007 and of Kay Blythe as M.I.L.L. paraprofessional effective Aug. 10, 2007.

* Approved employment of Dana Noe as part-time dental hygiene instructor, Kristin Pickett as part-time M.I.L.L. paraprofessional. Jerry Livingston as assistant women's basketball coach and James Wheeler as assistant football coach.

* The board went into executive sesion

* No further action was taken by the board. The meeting was adjourned.