NCMC Board Sets 2013-2014 Levy

North Central Missouri College trustees set the tax rate levy and recognized an instructor during its regular meeting held Tuesday evening.
Trustees, following a public hearing, set the 2013-2014 tax levy at 40 cents on the $100 assessed valuation, which is the amount computed by the Missouri State Auditor’s Office. If 100 percent of the levy is collected, it would generate approximately $346,390.49 in local tax revenue.
Amy Guthrie, an English instructor at NCMC, was recognized as the college’s winner of the NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award. Mrs. Guthrie is in her third year of teaching at NCMC. She and her husband, Jon, live in Trenton and are the parents of a newborn son, James.
Trustees approved an agreement with Wright Memorial Hospital for drug screening collections for athletes, with Physicians Reference Lab performing the testing for the urine drug screens on behalf of the hospital. NCMC President Dr. Neil Nuttall reported that in its first year, no positive samples were found and, for the first time in the last five years, no athletes were removed from the program for drug or alcohol issues. He noted that the purpose behind the testing is to serve as a deterrent and apparently, it has been successful so far in that regard.
In his report, Dr. Nuttall commended Dean of Instruction Dr. Jamie Hooyman for her work on a new full-time and adjunct faculty handbook and said he has been in contact with local legislators concerning the possible veto override of House Bill 253. He praised the efforts of Dean of Allied Health Janet Vanderpool for her work in getting the dental hygienist program with Hillyard Technical Center accredited by the state. He also discussed changes in testing.
Dr. Nuttall commented on efforts to revitalize downtown Trenton, saying that the next four years will be “absolutely critical for Trenton” to put into action the plan that has been developed. He called downtown NCMC’s “front door” and commented that there needs to a be vision for the area and that it needs to come from the city of Trenton. He noted that more than $320,000 in tax credits will be sold that can be used for improvements to downtown businesses and that the next wave needs to be a real master plan on which he believes the city needs to take the lead.
In other business, the board voted to purchase Campuslabs software from Higher One of Buffalo, NY at a cost of $12,862. Vice President of Instruction and Student Services Dr. James Gardner explained that the software is needed to help the college meet the requirements of the Higher Learning Commis-sion’s accreditation process, which is changing. Higher One is the sole source for the unique software and the cost is for one year.
In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation of Chelsea Woodard, cashier/admissions, effective Sept. 4, and officially hired Jamie Cunningham of Chillicothe to serve as the full-time grant-funded MoHealthWINS Recruitment and Advisement Specialist. She will be paid $12.51 per hour and began her duties on July 29.
Traci R. Norris of Chillicothe was hired as an adjunct math instructor, effective this month, and trustees approved a job description for a full-time nursing faculty position which will be funded for the first year through the MoHealthWINS grant. It is expected that the position will be continued beyond the grant period.
The resignation of Jamie Matheney, Linn County Head Start Home Visitor, was accepted, effective immediately Marie Jobson of was hired to replace her.
Dean of Student Services Dr. Kristen Alley gave a report on student demographics, saying that the typical NCMC student is a 25-year-old female Grundy County resident who scored a 20 on the ACT and is in the allied health program. She has $6,100 in student loans with a household income of $19,000, which Dr. Alley said helps explain the college’s 22 percent student loan default rate. Dr. Alley also said that 95 percent of students who default on loans are “non-completers” meaning they didn’t graduate. Research shows that non-traditional students at NCMC want to pay only for their classes and that for most, college is not the priority because they have so many other roles, such as spouse, parent, employee, etc.
Director of Development Teresa Cross shared with the board that at least 30 teams will be participating in the Foundation Golf Tournament, set for Friday, and said a new video is being included in packets being distributed as part of the Gifts in Action Campaign. She reminded the board of the Barton Farm Campus sign dedication set for Friday, Sept. 13.
An executive session was held to discuss personnel, real estate and legal matters, with no announcement made.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m.