SCCC/ATS Adopts Budget

The Seward County Community College/Area Technical School Board of Trustees met Monday, August 3, to adopt the 2009-10 budget. The meeting began with a official opening of the budget hearing and ended with the adoption of the budget.

Dr. Duane Dunn, SCCC/ATS president, reviewed facility improvements. The college used the 2008 State Post-secondary education improvement (PEI) bond fund for deferred maintenance projects including boiler and chiller replacement and electrical breaker replacement, which are 100 percent complete; and fire alarm upgrade, air quality management, wash rack addition to the agriculture facility and sidewalk/brick replacement and repair, which are nearing completion.

The college is using 2009 state PEI bond funds and federal Fiscal Stabilization Funds/Education Stabilization funds to replace exterior entrance doors at the ATS buildings, which is 100 percent complete, and ATS parking lots, fire alarm upgrades, welding exhaust, plumbing repairs, emergency lighting, greenhouse addition and restroom rehab, which are under way.

Dunn also discussed the continued work with the Board of Regents regarding a change in the distribution of state aid for career and technical education programs. The funding formula would include a variable rate based on the actual statewide expenditures for various programs; however, the current state appropriations are approximately 40% of the funding required to implement the proposed distribution program. If implemented SCCC/ATS would receive nearly $400,000 less for career and technical education than currently appropriated by the state.

In other action, the board

1. Hired Robert Herbig as academic and career advisor; Morgan Richmeier, as admissions coordinator; and Penny Jones as assistant womenź??s basketball coach;

2. Approved the capital equipment requests for the 2009-10 school year totaling $343,960;

4. Accepted a proposal from Southwest Glass and Door of Liberal in the amount of $79,908 to replace windows and panels at the area technical school; and

5. Renewed the presidentź??s contract on a five-year rolling contract.

Aug. 14 is the final enrollment day for new students to the college this fall. The fall 2009 semester begins with evening classes Monday, Aug. 17 and day classes, Tuesday, Aug. 18. The college and Saints Bookstore will host Chamber After Hours on Aug. 27 in the student union. Several events related to the 40th anniversary of college classes begin with a ribbon cutting and lunch at the Epworth building Wednesday, Sept 2.

The next board meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 8 in the board room.