A third building will be constructed on the Barton Farm Campus following the acceptance of a bid for an animal science facility by members of the North Central Missouri College Trustees at their meeting on Tuesday night.
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E.L. Crawford Construction, which is currently erecting both the resource and plant science buildings on the farm campus was awarded the bid and anticipates starting the project in mid-June, once work on the other facilities has been completed. The project includes the base bid as well as two alternates involving brick wainscoting and an asphalt parking lot.
The Crawford bid was the second lowest of five received, but was accepted after the low bidder, White Construction of Maysville, did not spec the proper siding for the building. The White bid for the work was $713,720 while Crawford’s bid was for $737,788. However, both bids were under the estimated cost from the architects of around $740,000.
Architects Ron Auxier and Jeremy Proctor of Ellison Auxier said that work continues on the other projects at the farm campus, with work to be substantially completed by the first of June. A “punch list” is to be presented by the contractors on May 31.
A change in the program option at the Green Hills Head Start Gallatin site was approved by trustees. The change, if federal approval is given by the Office of Head Start, would change the Gallatin program from a center-based option to a home-based option. Information provided by Head Start Director Bev Hooker indicated that the change would save $48,900 per year. It was noted that for most of the past 10 years, the center-based option has not been cost-effective in Gallatin, with annual enrollment numbers and attendance percentages historically the lowest of the 11 center sites. Mrs. Hooker said that considering the recruitment outlook for 2011-2012, little improvement was expected and the reintroduction of home-based services to Daviess County is projected to serve the target population more appropriately and effectively. She indicated that of 49 eligible four-year-old children, 31 live outside Gallatin in neighboring communities such as Winston, Jameson, Jamesport and Altamont. Mrs. Hooker also said that the total funded enrollment for the program remains at 277 children, with five other sites absorbing the slots not assigned to the Daviess County home-based program.
In personnel items, the board approved the employment of Roxanne Hoover of Albany as a full-time tenure-track science instructor, beginning in the fall semester and the employment of Amy Guthrie of University Park, IA as a full-time tenure-track English instructor, also beginning in the fall.
The resignation of Megan Schmidt as Student Services Coordinator was accepted, effective June 15. She will be moving out of the area.
In other business, trustees approved the final draft of the 2011-2013 academic catalog and heard the first reading of a proposed inclement weather policy. In addition, the board voted to purchase equipment from Cytek Media Systems of Topeka, KS to equip two classrooms and the meeting room in the Lager Laboratory building. The sole source bid for the equipment was $14,756.88 for each classroom and $12,347.32 for the meeting room for a total cost of $41,861.08.
Also approved was the suspension of the college’s policy on naming opportunities to allow for a specific naming opportunities at the Barton Ag Campus. Development Director Steve Maxey said there are 28 who qualify for the naming opportunities under the policy, which would be eliminated once the fundraising for the ag campus is completed.
Maxey also reported on gifts received from Barnes Baker of a truck and from Bill and Susie Bear of trees, both of which are for the ag campus project. He said there are 24 nominees for the Distinguished Alumni Award to be presented at the October gala and that two scholarships have been established in honor of former coach Don Sturgis and NCMC nursing graduate Dorothy Higler.
Vice President of Instruction/Student Services Dr. James Gardner said the Coordinating Board of Higher Education has given its approval to the Barton Ag Campus program, which will now be reviewed by the Department of Higher Education for its approval. He said that preliminary site visits have been done at Maryville and Brookfield as part of the college’s accreditation visit, which will take place next February.
President Dr. Neil Nuttall reported on cuts to WIB, which will affect the local program in the area of 10 percent to 19 percent in funding decreases. He anticipates some of the rural delivery sites to be eliminated as part of a cost-cutting effort.
Dr. Nuttall also talked about the MLEPDC program that is housed on the NCMC campus, which he anticipates will have its services bid out later this year. As a result, NCMC has agreed to keep the program through the bid process, however, Dr. Nuttall indicated it is unlikely NCMC will bid for the program, particularly if he believes it will cost the college money. The program involves professional development curriculum activities for teachers.
Dr. Nuttall said work continues on the 2011-2012 budget, which will be presented to the board in June. If state funding remains as approved by the legislature, Dr. Nuttall anticipates a “strong budget” for the year.
An executive session was held for real estate, with no announcement made.