FSCC board begins work on budget

Fort Scott, Kan. -- The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees, on Monday, will get their first look at the college's nearly $11 million budget for the 2008-09 school year.

Trustees are scheduled to review the proposed budget, and address several other routine annual items during the meeting, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday in the FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton St.

The college's projected 2008-'09 budget includes $6.5 million in budgeted expenses and transfers; $3 million in vocational education spending; and $1.1 million in spending on the FSCC Truck Driver Training Program.

The budget also includes a 22.49 mill levy, and a little more than $2 million generated from Bourbon County taxpayers. Much of the college's revenue comes from state and federal aid, and grant money.

FSCC officials have also budgeted about $171,000 this year that will pay for slightly more than 2 percent pay hikes for about 200 full-time college employees, including non-certified staff and more than 50 full-time instructors. The pay increases are expected to be funded through new state revenue and higher tuition revenue the college is scheduled to receive this year, FSCC officials said.

Trustees have also scheduled a budget hearing for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, to answer questions from the public related to the college's proposed use of all funds, the amount of taxes to be levied, and to consider any amendments to the budget. Detailed budget information is currently available at the FSCC Administration Building, and will be available at the August hearing.

Trustees also plan to conduct the following business on Monday:

* Elect board officers for the 2008-'09 school year; appoint officials and schedule board meeting dates for the 2008-'09 year; and approve the $1.4 million June treasurer's report.

* Consider a resignation request from assistant football coach Aaron Dobbins, and the employment of John Hill as head baseball coach, Jim Miesner as interim athletic director, and Andrae Rowe as assistant football coach.

* Consider the low bid of $75,846 from Aetna Insurance Company for athletic insurance during the 2008-09 school year, and a $19,279 quote from Mutual of Omaha for catastrophic insurance this year.

* Consider participation in the Kansas Association of School Board's Workers Compensation Fund, Inc., for the 2008-'09 school year at a cost of $63,170.

* Consider approval of a membership agreement and services memorandum between FSCC and the Kansas Research and Education Network (KanREN), a system founded by the Kansas Board of Regents in 1993 to provide colleges, universities, school districts, and other state organizations with Internet access via a statewide network.

KanREN has provided FSCC computers with Internet access since 1995. FSCC will pay $50,970 this year in the service agreement with KanREN, FSCC documents said.

* Consider approval of a lease agreement between FSCC and the Kansas Works Local Area V Workforce Investment Board for office space at the FSCC Miami County Campus in Paola.

* Hear various reports from FSCC administrators.