The 2017-2018 budget, showing a deficit as expected, was approved by North Central Missouri College trustees during a meeting held Tuesday evening on the campus that also resulted in the college moving forward in a plan to establish a site in Andrew County.
The budget shows combined revenues of all accounts of $12,258,117 and combined expenses of $12,625,856, leaving a deficit of $367,739. These figures include a $206,212 budgeted deficit in the college’s unrestricted accounts and a $161,527 deficit in the institution’s auxiliary service accounts.
The budget was based on several assumptions, including an increase in revenue from tuition. Trustees approved a tuition increase in March and have based the budget projections on flat enrollment growth. The tuition increase is expected to lead to $670,592 more than last year. In addition, the budget assumes state appropriations of $2,580,000 (a decrease of $190,000 over last year), stable local tax revenues and the end of a contract with Northwest Missouri State University that would have brought in $245,000. On the expense side, the budget includes no salary increases for faculty and staff, with the exception of specific employees and the hiring of a new vice president of academic affairs and the new IT Help Desk position. Those increases would total around $185,000 in additional costs.
Another $43,000 is projected for nursing accreditation expenses and approximately $50,000 in additional funds has been allocated for the college sports teams. Health insurance premiums for employees will increase 1.6 percent, going from $492 per month to $500 per month. An increase in utility costs is also budgeted.
While trustees are concerned that the budget once again shows a deficit, it was noted that faculty and staff are extremely conservative in their spending. As he has said in the past, NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver told trustees that he believes growth needs to continue to be the emphasis, rather than cutting programs and expenses. He said the focus of the college will continue to be enrollment and retention and that, he believes, will help turn the budget situation around. The board voted 5-0 to approve the budget, with Dr. John Holcomb absent.
Following an executive session, the board voted to authorize Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Sharon Weiser to submit paperwork to the Missouri Department of Higher Education to allow the college to offer courses at a site in Andrew County. In addition, the board authorized college officials to negotiate a short-term lease for an Andrew County facility at which to offer the courses. It was noted that Andrew County is in NCMC’s service area and during the meeting, Dr. Klaver referred to the site as the “North Belt Site.” The North Belt is a street in St. Joseph, but is located within Andrew County, rather than Buchanan County, which is not in NCMC’s service area.
Trustees approved several personnel matters, including the acceptance of the resignation of Residence Life Coordinator/Assistant Softball Coach Amy Carr, effective July 7. She has accepted a faculty and assistant coaching position at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, KS. The board also accepted the resignation of Nathan Marsh as network/security administrator, with his last day to be June 29. In addition, Jaimee Norton of Plattsburg resigned from her position as a full-time nursing instructor at the Maryville site and was rehired as a part-time clinical adjunct instructor at a daily salary rate of $25 per clinical day. She plans to return to bedside nursing. Also hired was Hannah Chapman of Milan, who will serve in the full-time, exempt AMP position of online services administrator. She will be paid $35,000 for a 12-month contract and her base salary will be increased $3,000 when she obtains the Comp TIA A+ Certification. She will begin her position on July 1.
As part of the IT Services Salary Improvement Plan, the board approved salary increases of $3,000 for Tami Campbell and Lisa Geiser, database administrators, and Ryan Woodworth, system administrator, as well as the network/security position (vacated by Marsh’s resignation), effective in July. This increase is Year Two of a four-year plan to increase salaries to keep pace with area IT jobs and would set Woodworth’s salary at $35,640 and Ms. Geiser’s salary at $36,660, with both of them having an A+ incentive pending.
In addition, Ms. Campbell was promoted to senior database administrator, making her salary $42,600, effective July 1. The salary adjustments would be funded by the $2 per credit hour Technology Fee currently being assessed on the Fall 2017 classes.
Trustees approved a salary increase to $48,000 for Kimberly Meeker, who is director of financial aid. The increase had been discussed when Mrs. Meeker was hired to fill the position and was based on her obtaining her bachelor’s degree and completing five credentials by December 2017, which she accomplished.
In action involving the Green Hills Head Start Program, board members approved the employment of Jamie Matheny of Brookfield, who will serve as a teacher in the Brookfield A Center. The board also approved an application for cost-of-living adjustment funds for the program, which is administered through the college. The funds are intended to increase staff salaries, permanently adjust salary schedules and offset higher costs associated with fringe benefits. Hourly pay rates would increase approximately 1 percent, with available funds totaling $19,215, of which $17,687 would be for Pre-K Head Start and $1,528 would be for Early Head Start. It was also reported that the GHHS program has received a notice of award authorizing carry-over funds in the amount of $414,860. These funds were originally awarded in December 2016 and are designated for start-up and facility replacement activities associated with extended duration funding.
In other business, trustees approved the annual renewal of the terms of the board’s bond agreement with UMB Bank and approved a new organizational chart. A legal expenditure in the amount of $17,261 was approved for the Workforce Development Board, which is administered through NCMC.
Several reports were given during the meeting, with Dr. Klaver telling trustees that summer enrollment is up 11 percent in head count, but down .4 percent in credit hours. He noted that the 70-plus nursing students are not required to take seven credits they previously took, so the college is actually up in head count and credit hours for other areas. He said the fall enrollment applications are up 16 percent (139 applications) over the same date in 2016. He provided information on various task forces of which he is a member and updated the board on the continued collaboration with Hillyard Technical Center, Metropolitan Community College and Missouri Western State University. He referred to the North Belt Site and said the college is moving forward with plans for that location and is “looking to grow smart.” He provided trustees with his top challenges and concerns and reasons for optimism.
NCMC Executive Assistant and Public Relations Director Kristi Harris told the board there were 56 applicants for the vice president for academic affairs position, with five scheduled to be interviewed through Skype. Of those five, two or three will be selected by the 15-member committee to come to campus for an in-person interview.
Other reports were given by:
• Green Hills Head Start Director Dr. Bev Hooker, who reported selection for the 2017-2018 school year is complete, with health screenings to begin July 7.
• Director of Development Teresa Cross, who reported on the Traveling Pirates’ trip to Ireland and said the next trip will be to the Kansas City Royals game on Sunday, Aug. 6. She noted that the Sixth Annual Foundation Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 1 at the Riverside Country Club.
• Dr. Weiser, who discussed the recent training for adjunct and dual credit instructors, as well as the progress of a medical lab technician program that will be offered beginning in June 2018 through a consortium including NCMC, State Fair Community College, Three Rivers Community College, Moberly Area Community College and East Central Community College. NCMC will have five seats for that program, with the majority of it to be offered online. She also shared with trustees the Missouri Department of Higher Education program review responses.
• Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Kristen Alley, who discussed the impact of the Clery Act, as fines for violating the act have increased significantly. She discussed “hot topics” in her field such as misclassifying crimes on campus, looking at required courses for degrees and accessibility and disability services, as well as Senate Bill 52, which involves suicide awareness and prevention. She also told trustees that a “food pantry” is being developed on campus for students in need and reported on the development of an academic recovery plan in which NCMC would work with Northwest Missouri State University and possibly other institutions in providing services. She noted that three NCMC graduates,Micah Knapp, Matheson Knapp and Trey Shaw, were among the four fatally injured in a recent motor vehicle accident.
The next regular meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25.
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