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FSCC trustees hear more on energy options
The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees heard an update Monday on a long-term plan to save the college money on energy use over the next several years.
During their regular meeting, Chevron Energy Solutions Company representatives John O'Herron and Tim Mense presented a report to the board on the process of implementing the plan, which will ultimately save the college between $80,000 and $100,000 each year on utility expenses alone, O'Herron said.
The energy savings plan could also save FSCC between $1 million and $2 million over a 10-year to 15-year period, FSCC officials said.
FSCC could enjoy a number of possible benefits and safeguards from the plan, which Chevron officials said will not create a financial burden on local taxpayers, but will create a positive financial result for FSCC and the community, O'Herron said. The plan will also solve several comfort issues for faculty, staff and students at the college.
Chevron officials said the company will work to ensure that newly-installed energy systems will match any new buildings constructed on campus, including a proposed $5 million fine arts center at the college, expected to be built by 2008, FSCC President Jim Miesner said.
Chevron officials -- who recently completed a walk-through of the FSCC campus -- will handle all aspects of the plan, which will include the replacement of aging and outdated heating and cooling systems on the college campus, among other facility improvements. Crews will install energy management and control systems at the college that will turn off various appliances at the college that don't need to be running, thus saving the college money on energy use, O'Herron said.
Other devices and systems that crews plan to install include programmable thermostats, comprehensive lighting systems, and water conservation systems at the college. Electrical appliances will be replaced with natural gas systems, O'Herron said.
"It will produce tangible dollar savings," he said.
Major facility improvements at FSCC include a new heating and cooling unit and new windows in the FSCC Administration Building, new windows in the FSCC Academic building and the Burke Street Campus, and a new roof on the FSCC Industrial Arts Building.
Chevron officials will now assemble all final project aspects by Nov. 10, to present to the board for final approval on Nov. 20. During their meeting next month, the board will discuss the scope of the plan and financing options for the various projects, Miesner said. FSCC is looking to bid project financing to local banks for a 15-year term. Implementation of the plan begins next month and is expected to be completed in September of 2007, officials said.
On Monday, trustees also heard a report from FSCC Associate Dean of Grants and Institutional Advancement Cindy Bartelsmeyer on the status of numerous grant programs offered at the college. About three weeks ago, FSCC received renewed funding this year for its High School Equivalency Program and Migrant Education Program.
The MEP program assists migrant workers and their children -- who must be at least 16 years of age or older -- earn general equivalency degrees. Of the 90 FSCC students involved in the MEP program, about 80 percent will earn a GED and go on to attend a four-year college or university, Bartelsmeyer said.
FSCC receives $393,491 each year from the Kansas Department of Education for the MEP program, to pay for books, dormitory expenses, meals and any other expenses these students may incur, Bartelsmeyer said. Migrant workers must also be involved in some agriculture-related activity, she said. While most of these migrant workers are located in western Kansas, there are some migrant workers in Southeast Kansas, she said.
FSCC receives a little more than $2 million each year for its various grant programs, many of which are renewable each year, Miesner said.
Trustees also approved a request by Miesner to retire in July of next year. Miesner began his career at FSCC in 1999 and worked as dean of instruction before assuming duties as the college's lead administrator in 2003. Miesner said the time has come for him to make a change and take another step in his life, and that there were no extenuating circumstances, such as health problems, that caused him to make the decision.
"I appreciate the opportunity to serve FSCC," he said. "I feel like the school is running good so I wanted to leave on a positive note."
In other business Monday, trustees:
* Hired Vincint Young as an instructor at the Kansas City Truck Driving Program, and David "Lee" Ferdinand as the new FSCC Environmental Technology Director.
* Approved a month-to-month agreement with Hoover Construction, Inc. for a training site to be used by the Topeka Truck Driving Program at a monthly cost of $75. The concrete parking area will be used as a training course and backing range for trucking students.
* Approved a new lease agreement with Mercy Health for Life for the use of the rehabilitation center's premises as a classroom for FSCC at a cost of $7.50 for each class hour students use the center's premises. FSCC receives a discounted rate since Mercy Health for Life staff use an FSCC program that is located in the center.
* Discussed options concerning the building currently being used by the FSCC Cosmetology Program at 7 S. National Ave. FSCC officials are looking at using the building through the end of the current school year at its current rental rate, rather than paying for needed upgrades to the building and paying increased monthly rent. Officials may wish to upgrade the building at a later date but have tabled the matter until a later meeting, Miesner said.
* Approved the July treasurers report that saw FSCC show a $2.2 million beginning cash balance, almost $2 million in expenditures, and more than $867,000 in revenue, which resulted in an ending cash balance of just over $1 million.
Following other routine business, trustees conducted an executive session and later adjourned.