Trustees vote to extend FSCC president's contract

Fort Scott Community College President Clayton Tatro received a strong vote of confidence Monday night from the FSCC Board of Trustees. The board unanimously voted to extend Tatro's contract by two years during its regular monthly meeting.

The extension, which did not include a pay raise, lengthens Tatro's contract from June 30, 2015 to to June 30, 2017.

"I think that's the least that we could have done for him - to extend his contract, because we can't pay him what he is worth," Board chair Myrtle Anne Colum said Tuesday.

She said Tatro's impact on both the college and the Fort Scott community are factors that went into the board's decision to extend his contract.

"I think it's wonderful," Colum said. "I think he is an awesome educator and he is an awesome college president. He puts students first at all times and he is very visible in the community."

Last fall, Tatro was the first ever community college administrator appointed to the board of directors of the Kansas Leadership Center, a leadership development organization based in Wichita.

Tatro said Tuesday the contract extension illustrates the board's confidence in the future of FSCC.

"It's encouraging to have the board's confidence in the college and in the direction of the college, their confidence in education, their confidence in higher education and the value that Fort Scott Community College provides to the community" Tatro said Tuesday.

Tatro said the contract extension also helps the college continue in a positive direction.

"There is definitely a value in a multiple-year contract," Tatro said. "It allows stability, it creates a longer term focus and it allows us to move forward without hesitation in terms of plans we have for the college."

On Tuesday, Tatro expressed his gratitude toward the Trustees.

"I'm honored and privileged to work for Fort Scott Community College and thankful for the board's confidence," Tatro said.

Before taking the position of FSCC president, Tatro served as dean of learning services and chief academic officer at Garden City Community College from 1998-2007, and as a social science instructor at GCCC from 1995-1998.

In other business, FSCC Director of Public Relations Kathleen Hinrichs announced that an FSCC Open House will be April 12 in conjunction with a Spring Home, Sport, Farm & Garden Show at Arnold Arena. Hinrichs said a 32" flat-screen television she won at a marketing presentation will be offered as a door prize to entice visitors. Hinrichs said five areas of the campus will be open to the public, including the mill, the student union, the Gordon Parks Museum, the bookstore and Boileau Hall.

"It will be really nice for us to have people around campus," Hinrichs said. "They will already be here for the home show, so we thought, 'why not partner with them while people are on campus?'

Also on Monday, Hinrichs said invitations for the April 27 scholarship auction at FSCC will be sent out April 5. It is the third year FSCC has hosted the event.

She said Great Western Dining will serve pulled pork and beef sandwiches, baked beans and potato salad for $10.

FSCC Athletic Director J.D. Ettore said auction items will feature a car from Team Shepherd Auto Plaza, University of Kansas basketball tickets, a KU autographed basketball, a Bill Snyder autographed football from Kansas State University. Ettore also said he received tremendous support from Fort Scott businesses.

FSCC Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Gary Palmer, said this year's auction will feature an increase of available casino games, including Texas Hold 'Em, Let it Ride, craps and slots. He said they also have an option to trade publicity for event insurance coverage. Soda, tea, beer and wine also will be provided.

Palmer said 50 percent of the proceeds will go to benefit the endowment association and 50 percent will be split equally amongst the six athletic programs at FSCC, specifically for scholarships.

He said the first year, the college raised between $6,000 and $7,000, but increased that total to $11,000 last year.

"Our goal is to have 300 people attend," Palmer said. "My goal is to raise $15,000 to $20,000."

In his president's report, Tatro told the board that Friday, April 5, more than 1,400 area students will attend the Key Industries Aggie Day at Arnold Arena. He said the Skills USA Masonry Competition and Construction Trades Career Fair will take place at the FSCC Construction Trades Building in Pittsburg.