North Central Missouri College trustees on Tuesday approved salary increases for the faculty and staff, hired a new dean of instruction and reviewed the preliminary 2018-2019 budget.
While looking at preliminary budget figures that show a deficit in operating and auxiliary funds, trustees approved a 1 percent salary increase for faculty, who will also be allowed to move one vertical step on the salary schedule. Non-classified staff members will receive a 2 percent salary increase and be allowed movement of one vertical step, with certain employees in Ranges 4 and 5 receiving an additional 25 cents per hour if they hold a master’s degree. Employees on the Administrative, Management, Professional salary schedule will receive a 3 percent salary increase.
Coaching stipends were increased for the various sports. Head coaching stipends for basketball, baseball and softball were increased from $4,896 to $5,500. The golf head coach stipend will increase from $2,500 to $3,250 and the assistant coaching stipend for sports will increase from $1,687 to $2,250.
Trustees also increased the adjunct/overload rate. For master’s degree, fall/spring rates were increased from $464 to $525 per credit hour. For bachelor’s degree, the fall/spring rates were increased from $392 to $450 per credit hour.
The cost of the increases is estimated at just under $180,000 and it was noted that no raises were given last year.
The board voted to continue paying the full cost of employee health insurance, with the college receiving no premium increase through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City for 2018-2019. The $1,500 deductible PPO plan will cost $499.16 per month per employee, while the $2,500 deductible PPO plan will be $464.21 per month per employee. The $2,750 deductible HSA plan will cost $442.53 per month per employee. The deductible on the HSA plan will increase by $100, from $2,600 to $2,700. In addition to the monthly premium, NCMC contributes $50 per month to an employee’s health savings account.
The budget, which is expected to be approved at the July meeting, shows projected operating revenue of $10,364,169 and auxiliary operations revenue of $2,341,650 for total projected revenue of $12,705,819. Expenditures, the majority of which comes from salaries, show total operating expenditures of $10,570,271, with another $2,427,952 in auxiliary operations, for total expenditures of $12,998,223 and a total deficit of $292,404. Among the items included in expenses in addition to salaries and fringe benefits are payments on the Cross Hall and Barton Farm Campus notes totaling $110,802 (funds actually come from the NCMC Foundation); Title IV repayment of $220,676 (being paid for over a period of years); and the Barton Campus Bond Payment of $164,645, which comes from reserves. Otto noted that the budget includes the new position of admissions processor.
The preliminary budget figures are based on a 1 percent enrollment increase, a $3 per credit hour increase to the technology fee, state appropriations revenue based on an approximate $30,000 reduction and the approval of the salary increases as listed earlier in this story.
Following an executive session, trustees voted to hire Mitchell Holder of Chillicothe to serve as the dean of instruction. Holder, who currently serves as director of the Saline County Career Center in Marshall and previously served as the business teacher at Trenton High School, will be paid $69,500 on a 12-month contract. Holder will begin his duties July 2.
Several other personnel matters were approved, including the retirement of Tina Totten, ARC director and college seminar instructor, effective June 30.
Trustees voted to hire Melissa Spencer of Trenton for the full-time non-exempt classified staff position of academic advisor/recruiter at a salary of $12.97 per hour, effective May 14. Adjunct instructors, all based at the North Belt Center in Country Club, approved for employment include Harold Brown of Country Club, who will teach psychology courses beginning in the fall; Dr. Ron Capps of Albany, who will teach speech courses beginning in the fall; Peter Smart of Kearney, who will teach accounting courses in the fall; and John Tiner of Maryville, who will teach psychology and behavioral health courses beginning in the fall.
In Head Start personnel matters, trustees accepted the retirement of Cindy Walsh, Brookfield “B” Center cook, effective at the end of the school year, and the resignation of Shona Kirkwood, Hamilton center teacher, effective May 23.
In other business, the board:
• heard a report from NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver, who discussed higher education issues and the college’s response to them. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities produces a top 10 list each year and this year they include changes in federal law, sluggish state revenue, college affordability, economic and workforce development, illegal immigrants, undocumented and DACA students, guns on campus, state response to population shifts (decline in traditional age students), performance funding, campus free speech and combatting sexual assault. Other top issues include data privacy, cyber security, dual credit and dual enrollment, innovation, tenure, academic freedom and shared governance. Dr. Klaver also gave an update on the college’s strategic plan and presented the annual student-athlete report.
• heard a report from Director of Corporate and Business Relations Jason Helton, on the college’s business and industry partnerships. Helton discussed the various grants that the college has utilized over the last several years, including the “MoWINS” grants that have totaled about $2.25 million. He said the MoRAP grant, which focuses on apprenticeships, will provide $172,000 for NCMC. He also explained to trustees the role that customized training plays in meeting the needs of area businesses and industries.
• heard reports from Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tristan Londre and Associate Vice President for Students Services Dr. Kristen Alley on the intersession and student surveys. The survey results gave the library and nursing program “rave” reviews and it was noted that communication is an issue, as it is on most campuses.
• approved new membership and short-term use fees for the Ketcham Community Center. The annual rates approved by trustees include single, $240; family up to four persons, $380; family of five or more persons, $420; senior, $200; and senior couple, $290. The KCC year runs from July 1 to June 30, with prorated rates available. A day pass for users ages 14 and up is $5. Thirty-day memberships are $45 for a single membership, $70 for a family up to four members and $85 for a family of five or more members. A 90-day membership is also available, with a single pass set at $85, a family pass for up to four members, $135 and a family of five or more, $160. Only dependants who can be claimed on an income tax return are allowed to be included on a family membership. It was noted that the rates have not been increased for four years.
• approved the low bid of $12,995.66 from Wired Electrical and Automation, LLC of Trenton to replace existing metal halide lamps with new LED light fixtures at the Ketcham Community Center.
• approved the purchase of replacement computers from CDWG at a cost of $69,608.87. The PCs will replace one currently located throughout the campus.
• heard, on their first reading, board policy manual changes in regard to parental leave, volunteer leave and a flexible work schedule policy.
• changed the June meeting date from Tuesday, June 26 to Tuesday, June 19 and the July meeting from Tuesday, July 24 to Thursday, July 19.
In addition to the personnel item, board members discussed legal matters, real estate and sealed bids or related documents or contracts during the meeting. Trustees then voted to accept a sealed bid from Hundred Acre Woods LLC of Ashland for the purchase of the James and Joanna Whitley property located in Boone County, which was bequeathed to NCMC, in the amount of $255,000. The bid included assurances that all land use restrictions will be followed by the LLC.
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