Trustees weigh in on Senate Bill 434

In the wake of Monday's discussion of Senate Bill 434 (the Success Act) during the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees regular meeting, board members John Kerr, Dick Hedges and Mark McCoy shared their thoughts with The Tribune pertaining to the matter.

"I think this is an important opportunity for the community to have a discussion on this matter," Kerr said after the meeting Monday night. "Obviously, it's a very weighty matter."

The bill, if passed, would allow community colleges to reduce a portion of their mill levy in exchange for state dollars. If the bill continues through the proper channels -- and isn't changed -- Fort Scott Community College could have a chance to participate in the program.

If SB 434 is passed, 19 community colleges in Kansas would have an opportunity to submit a written proposal for state funding. The bill states, "The SUCCESS selection committee shall select at least one, but not more than two applicants as participants in the program."

"I think we need to stick to our guns in what we articulated back in the fall, where we said in pretty clear terms, we're not going to engage in a relationship with Pittsburg State University or any other university for that matter -- if the tradeoff is giving up board control, control of employees and control of curriculum," Kerr said. "We're just not interested in that. That said, we have to take seriously the reality of the financial world that we live in here in Fort Scott and for the community college. And so, we need to weigh what is truly being proposed by this legislation and see if that fits the community, and fits what we hope to accomplish for the community college."

Kerr said the board's primary goal is to ensure the long-term success of Fort Scott Community College in Bourbon County.

"And everyone wants it, they do," Kerr said. "Folks on the board, and obviously those citizens that are very passionate about it. They should be (passionate). This is an important institution. So we need to look at what those options are. And really, I think if it is correctly understood, that's what this is about -- this is about a public discourse on the future of Fort Scott Community College and where we're going."

Kerr said he received numerous phone calls in the fall from concerned citizens relating to the enhanced partnership discussions with PSU. And now, recently, more concerned citizens have reached out to Kerr with questions about Senate Bill 434.

"A lot of those (people) are finding concern with this legislation. I've had numerous calls, texts, emails and letters on it," he said. "What I'm telling them is that no decisions have been made. And that if the state is going to offer to reduce our taxes and they will allow us to keep control of the employees, the curriculum, the president, then we need to have that discussion and figure out what are the true merits of that. So that's basically been the conversation that we've had. They're concerned for the same reasons the board was concerned when we cast that original vote (last fall). But where we are today, we have something tangible that we can look at and discuss."

During a special board meeting on Oct. 28, and with community backlash evident, trustees' voted 6-0 to end enhanced partnership talks with PSU. During Monday night's board meeting, former Kansas Sen. Bob Marshall, during the public forum, said he believes Senate Bill 434 is a "backdoor effort" by FSCC President Clayton Tatro to reopen "strategic alliance" discussions between FSCC and PSU.

"They're concerned because of what this institution means to them and the community. And they're rightfully concerned," Kerr said. "I think members of the board are concerned. I'm disappointed how we got to this discussion. For me, I am concerned about us having this discussion. The reality is, it's here. So we can't hide our heads in the sand. We've got to have the discussion."

Hedges said he believes there are still many questions that need to be answered regarding Senate Bill 434 before the board can move forward with any decisions.

"If you are suspicious, you're saying they're probably trying to close some of the smaller colleges down," Hedges said Wednesday. "Only, we're not one of them necessarily."

Hedges said Senate Bill 434 if passed, could eventually lead to the loss of board control, something he said he does not want to see happen. He also said he was pleased the board passed a motion Monday night to form a legislative feasibility committee to evaluate and review the proposed Senate bill.

"I think there are some possibilities in it. I think there's some questions we all need answered before we go anywhere on it," he said. "So that's why we're hopefully getting a group of people together here pretty quickly, to at least hear what the public thinks."

Those interested in joining the committee can call (620) 223-2700 ext. 5130, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The deadline to call is 5 p.m., Monday, March 31.

McCoy said he thought there was "excellent" discussion from the general public during Monday night's board meeting. Those who spoke during the public forum, were: Marshall, his daughter Dana McKenney, and FSCC English instructor Ronda Bailey.

"I thought that Senator Marshall and Dana McKenney and Mrs. Bailey brought really good points to the meeting," McCoy said Wednesday. "Many things for us to take under consideration. That's why I think it's as important now, if not more important, to have a cross-section of people that will take an in-depth look at the proposed bill, because all it is, is a proposed bill."

During the meeting, McCoy presented the idea to the board of forming a legislative feasibility committee to review the bill.

"I think it's important that we have this working group that will be able to get together over the next two months and to be able to look in-depth through this," he said. "And to bring up at the next board meeting in April and the next board meeting in May all of the points of interest, and all of the points that need to be discussed further."

McCoy confirmed with The Tribune that he was recently in Topeka with Tatro and Robert Nelson, board of trustees president, for a (Kansas community college) Council of Presidents meeting.

"I wanted to know what type of information transpired at those kinds of meetings," he said. "And there was a presentation at that meeting from Ty Masterson and the other two Senators (Republican Sen. and Education Committee Chair Steve Abrams, and Republican Sen. and Education Committee Co-Chair Tom Arpke). So those three gentlemen spoke to all the community college presidents and they had a number of question for them. Not only on what they spoke about, but all the other things that are important to those community colleges."

Monday night, McCoy was the only board member to acknowledge that he had read the bill, after former Kansas Sen. Bob Marshall posed the question to board members during the public forum. McCoy said at this point, he has yet to formulate an opinion on whether he supports or opposes the bill.

"Just because somethings out there doesn't mean we should do it at all. It means we should look at it. My opinion is, we should look at it," he said. "And we need to have people diligently ask questions. And that's why I'm encouraged about this group. I think it's important we meet as often as we can."

McCoy later added, "We have to protect Fort Scott Community College. We need to protect this institution, the employees there, and that's a major concern for me."