FSCC approves plan to encourage fishers

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees has lent its support to a plan designed to get more people fishing on FSCC-owned ponds.

During their regular meeting on Monday, the board heard a report from Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks District Fisheries Biologist Don George about a potential agreement between FSCC and KDWP for the Community Fisheries Assistance Program.

In the five-year agreement, which the board unanimously approved Monday, KDWP agrees to pay FSCC an annual sum of $1,030, and in turn, FSCC agrees to allow the public to have unrestricted access to FSCC ponds for the purpose of fishing.

"It will make it alot easier for people to go fishing," George told the board. "The two FSCC ponds are very important to the community."

George said the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County currently participate in CFAP, allowing licensed area anglers to fish at city-owned and county-owned lakes and ponds.

The board also conducted the following business on Monday:

* Approved the transfer of Morgan Beck from the position of research and education learning specialist to the position of registrar, Darlene Wood from the position of instruction office manager to the position of learning specialist, and Niki Davis from the position of financial aid assistant to the position of instruction office manager.

* Approved the resignation of Athletic Director Russell Beene, and hired Diana Couch as head women's basketball coach, Malinda Berglund as head softball coach, Katasha Bledsoe as assistant women's basketball coach, Miriam Bagniewski as assistant softball coach, and John-David Ettore as athletic director.

* Approved the July treasurer's report, which showed a $923,753 starting cash balance, about $2.1 million in expenses, about $1.7 million in revenue, and a $526,720 ending cash balance. Trustees also approved the August treasurer's report, which showed a $526,720 starting cash balance, about $1.8 million in expenses, about $3 million revenue, and a $1.8 million ending cash balance.

* Heard a report from Gordon Parks Museum and Center Director Jill Warford on the schedule of events for the upcoming Gordon Parks Celebration of Culture and Diversity, which is slated to take place Oct. 7-10 at FSCC.

* Approved a Kansas State Department of Education State Level Activities Application. According to FSCC documents, KSDE has decided to sub-grant specific migrant education operations to FSCC for a period of one year. FSCC serves as the fiscal agent for the state's Migrant Education Program.

* Adopted a Bourbon County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. Bourbon County Emergency Management has offered and encouraged all public entities in Bourbon County to join in an effort to develop a multi-jurisdictional disaster mitigation plan. Federal law now requires that all public entities submit a disaster mitigation plan or participate in the development of a disaster mitigation plan to help minimize devastation and destruction to grounds and facilities in the event of a natural disaster. Those entities that do not submit or develop a plan are not eligible to receive financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency following a natural disaster, FSCC documents said.

* Listened to other various routine reports and also conducted an executive session to discuss personnel.