Trustees at North Central Missouri College gave their approval to a new instructional position, rejected bids for alterations at Hoffman Hall and set the filing dates for the April 2006 board election during a meeting held Monday evening.
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Trustees at North Central Missouri College gave their approval to a new instructional position, rejected bids for alterations at Hoffman Hall and set the filing dates for the April 2006 board election during a meeting held Monday evening.
Board members approved the addition of a full-time math instructional position that will begin with the Fall 2006 term. The position would replace the present full-time sociology position that is currently vacant due to the resignation of Satara Armstrong. In a memo to NCMC President Dr. Neil Nuttall, Dean of Instruction Dr. James Gardner said that after researching enrollment numbers and class load of instructors, the results overwhelmingly indicate the greatest need is for a full-time math instructor. Information presented showed that during the 2004-2005 school year, there were six sociology classes offered with 194 students enrolled. In the same year, there were 33 math classes offered with 567 students enrolled. In the sociology department, there was one full-time instructor and three part-time instructors, while the math department had one full-time, a two-fifths time instructor and 14 part-time instructors.
Dr. Nuttall noted that Ms. Armstrong did not have a full course-load of sociology classes and had been teaching some psychology courses to supplement that load.
In discussing the search, it was noted that the successful candidate will be certified to teach developmental math courses, but will also be certified to teach upper-level courses as well. Currently, there are about 400 community college math positions open across the country.
In other personnel issues, the board hired Missy Gillespie of Chillicothe as in instructor in the Allied Health Department. She will be teaching the Medical Machine Transcription course for the Medical Assistant program. She will begin her duties in January at a salary of $1,110 for the three credit-hour course.
The board accepted the resignation of Sharon Wisner as Head Start central office secretary and hired Laura Gunderson of Kidder as a cook at the Gallatin Head Start Center.
A staffing change in the Workforce Investment Board was approved, which will combine the duties of the current Career Assistant Program Coordinator with those of the vacated Program Operations Manager. Current CAP Coordinator Cathie Chalfant will assume the position of Program Operations Manager at a salary of $27,422 annually.
In addition, the WIB will recruit for the position of Workforce Development Manager. This was a position that has not been filled for approximately six years, but could support some of the functions formerly assigned to Program Operations Manager. The salary for this position would be between $27,422 and $30,233.
The board reviewed the two bids received for the alteration of Hoffman Hall before rejecting both bids as had been recommended by Chief Fiscal Officer Sharon Barnett. While architect Jeff Ellison had estimated the cost of the project at approximately $100 per square foot, the bids were approximately $315 per square foot from Case Contracting and $278 per square foot from Trickel Construction. Dr. Nuttall said staff had discussed that the project may be “too big for the small guys and too small for the big guys” and that perhaps packaging the alterations with another construction package may help with the cost. It was emphasized that the project has not been put on hold indefinitely.
In other business, the board:
• voted to purchase base health insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield for the period of Jan. 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 at a cost of $407.61 per employee. The rate is 8.5 percent, which is less than had been expected. Dr. Nuttall said that it looks as though employees will receive a “bonus” based on the savings, which is something that had been committed to them earlier. Along with the base, the board adopted a resolution for a cafeteria plan, which will furnish eligible employees and its affiliates the ability to tax-shelter premium payments for dental, dependent health, “buy-up” health and/or employee life coverage.
• set the filing dates for the April 4, 2006 election as Dec. 13 through Jan. 17, 2006. Six-year terms currently held by Doug Dible and Don Dalrymple will expire and the two years remaining on the unexpired term currently held by Dr. John Holcomb will also be filled.
• heard a report from Dr. Gardner indicating the Melody Shipley has been certified by the National Tutoring Association, which means she can train tutors without sending them to others for training. He also said that about 500 students will be on campus for Future Business Leaders of America Day on Jan. 25, 2006 and commended Missy Cotton and Sarah Bird for their efforts in regard to that event. He and Dr. Vicki Wheeler also discussed the possibility of the implementation of a program that would allow students wishing to major in secondary education at Northwest Missouri State University to take one semester of classes here beyond the first two years. He also said that Julie Hefley received the Innovative Technology Award by the Missouri Community College Association.
• heard a report from Dean of Student Services on spring enrollment and activities that are designed to make the Tech-Prep Program more visible. She also discussed a new program that develops information on the six career pathways and said that high school and middle school counselors have been invited to a program on Dec. 1 to discuss the career inventory program.
• heard a report from Mrs. Barnett on the R & K Glass site. She said a study did not indicate an impact on the soil and ground water at the site. She said she expects to receive a letter from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to that effect.
• heard a report from Dr. Nuttall on concerns he has about state funding for higher education. He said that it is possible that 10 to 12 percent would be cut from the budget, which would just about equal what the college receives from the ad valorem taxes ($260,000 to $270,000). With many NCMC students relying on financial aid, it will stretch the college’s financial aid resources if tuition has to be increased. Dr. Nuttall said the culprit appears to be the new funding formula for K-12 schools, which was supposed to have been fully funded, but apparently is not. Some lawmakers are hoping to take funds from higher education to supplement the formula.
• heard a report from Director of Development/ Public Relations Steve Maxey on the college’s Major Gifts Campaign, which is currently focused on business and industry and those who wish to made year-end donations. He also announced that photos of the NCMC men’s and women’s basketball teams are available for $3 each or $5 for both. The photos have a team roster and schedule on the back and proceeds will be benefit the NCMC Motorcoach Fund.
• held an executive session to discuss legal matters, real estate and personnel. The only announcement from the meeting was the purchase of a house at 200 E. Crowder Road from E.K. Hochwender at a price of $75,000. The house, which is located north of the Ketcham Community Center, is currently being used as apartments. No immediate plans for the structure were announced.
The board is scheduled to meet again at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20. This is a change in the regular meeting date.