It looks as though having tennis courts on the campus of North Central Missouri College will become a reality, with trustees on Tuesday agreeing to seek bids for two courts that would be located north of the Ketcham Community Center.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Ron Auxier and Jeremy Proctor of Ellison-Auxier Architects of St. Joseph presented plans for the courts, with a base bid that would include two courts, mostly likely with a concrete base and a rubberized synthetic surface. The base bid also includes a 10-foot tall chain link fence to be installed around the perimeter of the courts, lighting (with power coming from the Ketcham Community Center), reworking of the existing parking lot north of the KCC, and new sidewalks along Mabel Street and Crowder Road. The estimate for the base bid was $205,000 to $220,000.
The architects also included three alternate bids. Alternate Bid #1, estimated to cost an additional $75,000, would include construction of a parking lot east of the tennis courts that would provide 42 spaces and lighting for the parking lot. Alternate Bid #2, estimated to cost an additional $120,000, would include the demolition of the existing parking lot north of the KCC, with new lots to be constructed on the south and east sides of the tennis courts for a total of 61 parking spaces. It would also provide new sidewalks along Lulu Street as well as bus parking on the north side of the KCC and lighting for the parking lot. Alternate Bid #3, estimated to cost an additional $50,000, would include decorative sidewalk lighting along Mabel Street, Crowder Road and Lulu Street.
Auxier said that the base bid is within the monetary range the college had been looking at, with a total of $275,000 donated from Harry Sugg for the purpose of constructing tennis courts on the campus. Board members voted to seek bids for the project, with Auxier indicating that he will have a recommendation for the board at the November meeting.
Trustees heard a report on the tuition waivers that are provided to NCMC, Head Start, Workforce Investment Act and Trenton R-9 employees and dependents. For Fiscal Year 2006-2007, a total of 75 waivers were provided, totaling 677 credit hours, which translates to a dollar amount of $43,534. That amount is a 68.78877 percent increase over last year. The largest number of waivers, 21 each, were used by NCMC and Trenton R-9 dependents, with the NCMC dependents taking 268 credit hours for a total of $22,595. It was noted that Trenton High School has increased its dual credit offerings from three to nine courses, which has played a role in the increase. Trustees also heard a report on instructional scholarships.
Board members agreed to purchase information technology equipment at a total cost of $198,708.69. The equipment, purchased from Tech Depot of Trumbull, CT, includes 53 personal computers, 110 notebook computers, six wireless access points and other miscellaneous hardware. The purchase will be paid for through Enhancement Grant funds and will allow many students in the allied health and early childhood programs to have notebook computers, as well as replacing personal computers in Hoffman Hall and the accounting lab. The notebooks will be loaned to students on a yearly basis with no additional cost to the student. The equipment will still be owned by the college and is expected to have a three-year life span.
Several resignations were accepted, including the retirement of John Goodwin, library assistant, effective Dec. 31. Montie Moore resigned, effective Oct. 2, from the maintenance department, and Ammie Wire, a Level II nursing instructor, resigned her full time position due to health/medical concerns. She noted that she would like to maintain her part-time status as clinical faculty and an adjunct position teaching on-line classes.
The contract of Jewell Harris was changed from an 11-month contract to a nine-month contract, reflecting her move from a Level II nursing instructor to a Level I instructor. In addition, Korynn Skipper will move from the Skills Laboratory Supervisor position to the Level I position. Two part-time clinical instructors for the nursing program were hired, with Marcia Pithan of Bethany hired to teach for the Level I program in Trenton and Becky Baker of Grant City hired to teach Level II classes at Maryville. Ms. Pithan will be paid $250 per clinical day, while Ms. Baker will be paid $200 per day.
Also hired by the board was Jason Meeker of Laredo, who will work in the maintenance department at a salary of $10.07 per hour.
In other business, the board:
* recognized Lindsey Black, who will be honored with the Student Leadership Award from the Missouri Community College Association during the MCCA meeting Nov. 9 in Branson.
* was introduced to Shaun Stull, who serves as information technology evening systems administrator.
* was introduced to Student Senate officers D.J. Midgyett of Chillicothe, president; Charlie Robinson of Brookfield, vice president; and Becky Peterson, Trenton, treasurer. The other officers include Kendra Foster of Laredo, secretary; and Trisha Ireland of Trenton, public relations.
* heard administrative reports, with Vice President of Admini-strative Services Sharon Barnett indicating that an audit is currently under way and that she is looking at investment opportunities for the $2 million in MOHELA funds recently received.
* heard a report from Vice President of Instruction/Student Services Dr. James Gardner on upcoming meetings with area school superintendents, which will be held Nov. 2 in Maryville and Nov. 16 on campus. He also asked trustees to begin considering if a policy is needed concerning children being on campus unsupervised by an adult and what that policy might entail.
* heard information from Dean of Student Services Kristin Alley on a recent Student Services Retreat, where the Community College Survey of Student Engagement was analyzed. She said work will continue in an effort to develop a mission statement for the student services department, with another retreat scheduled for December.
* heard a brief report from Director of Development Steve Maxey on the recent NCMC Gala and the gift of $25,000 from the estate of Edith Thomas Muff through her son, Dr. John Thomas.
* learned that NCMC President Dr. Neil Nuttall has been meeting with the city of Trenton in an effort to find ways to fund improvements to Burleigh Grimes Field. He said the work could be done in stages, with the first stage estimated to cost around $100,000. He said the college is looking for partners for the project. Dr. Nuttall also reported on the Healthy Communities group and its activities, as well as sharing information on the possible new location for the Career Center in St. Joseph.
* agreed to move the meeting date for the December meeting from Dec. 25 to Tuesday, Dec. 18.
An executive session was held to discuss legal matters and real estate, with the board approving a memorandum of agreement with Northwest Missouri State University (see accompanying story).
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 27.