FSCC board hears tax concerns

The November meeting of the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees got off to a contentious start as resident Jim Scott urged the panel to consider the incomes and economic picture of Fort Scottians before any future decision to raise the mill levy is made.

The board this year kept the mill levy flat at 25.357 mills.

"Because you are elected, because you have taxing authority, you should be representing the community, first and foremost," Scott said. "I listen and I hear the community mentioned as if it's incidental."

Scott urged trustees to look at the economic data in Bourbon County as the primary concern, rather than comparing FSCC to other institutions.

Scott also questioned why meals are served at trustees meetings and "Who pays for the food?," why executive sessions are called in the middle of meetings, why FSCC President Clayton Tatro led a meeting regarding a possible increase in the mill levy, and why is FSCC providing jobs out-of-county. Scott's 12-point presentation also included numerous questions on spending, including asking why the college doesn't spend more money locally.

A January 2011 trustees policy on public comments states that: "as a rule, there will be no action or discussion of public comment items."

On a separate matter, math instructor Kathy Malone gave an overview of the recent Math Relays at FSCC. She said 290 high school students from 11 area schools participated the event, up from 193 students last year. Schools attending were Appleton City, Bronaugh, Covenant Harvest, Fort Scott, Christian Heights, Jayhawk-Linn, Louisburg, Paola, Pittsburg, Pleasanton and Uniontown, which won the team event.

Tatro presented the financial aid report, which showed FSCC students were disbursed $2,314,370.87 in excess Pell grants and direct loans for fall of 2012 to Oct. 31, 2012. Total disbursements were $3,956,236.88.

"Trust me, local retail merchants definitely know when those disbursements are distributed," Tatro said.

Tatro also presented a cost/credit analysis, which he said showed, "we are returning dollars on most programs."

Net proceeds showed an average return of $85.27 per credit hour. Only four of the 28 programs listed on the report showed a deficit, including agriculture (-$82.79 per credit hour), Harley (-$47.17), HVAC (-$108.48), and John Deere (-$94.13).

Language led the 24 revenue producing programs, netting $156.76 per credit hour.

A report on the Student Fee/Scholarship Fund 71 showed a balance of $71,603.15 as of Oct. 31. FSCC began the year with $159,731.22, compared to $250,557.88 last year. The Booster/Endowment Fund showed a balance of $270,865.32 as of Oct. 31.

During the President's Report, Tatro presented a proposed agreement to the trustees regarding a possible commitment to the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center, which would involve teaming with USD 101, Neosho County, USD 248, Crawford County, USD 366, Woodson County, USD 404, Cherokee County to provide educational services including special education, vocational education and career education.

In other business:

*Trustees approved the sale of two APC UPS 300 server battery backups for $650 each (less $150 shipping).

*Trustees approved the separations of custodians Jennine Bray and Crystal Phillips and Gary Wilson, maintenance, all effective Dec. 31.