Tech ed is happening at FSCC -- without building

During its meeting Monday, Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) Board of Trustees heard from citizen Bob Marshall about Crawford County's technical education progress.

Marshall presented the board with a Pittsburg Morning Sun article dated Oct. 31 that stated the Pittsburg Education Foundation purchased the Vinylplex building for $890,000. The building houses FSCC's carpentry, masonry and woodworking courses.

Marshall reminded the board about the benefits of Kansas Senate Bill 155, which Pittsburg is taking advantage of.

"Pittsburg school district administration received $19,000 for 19 certificates that were awarded to Pittsburg students out of Senate Bill 155," Marshall said. "The board of regents gives the USD that the high school student is from a certification. USD 235 and 234 had zero students and received zero dollars...My concern is that effort is not being made to start the groundwork for a Bourbon County Technical Education Center."

Senate Bill 155 was passed into law on July 1, 2012, according to the Kansas Department of Education's website. The main purpose of the bill is to stimulate growth in career and technical education in Kansas at both the high school and post-high school level.

"The Kansas workforce will increasingly demand a more highly-technical and highly-skilled worker and Senate Bill 155 is aimed at meeting those future demands," according to the website. "There are several parts to Senate Bill 155. The four financial aspects of Senate Bill 155 are:

"Tuition reimbursement for high school students enrolled in college-level Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses; incentivizing high school students graduating with an industry-recognized certification that lead directly to high-demand occupations in Kansas through a certification incentive program; transportation reimbursement to school districts transporting high school students off-campus to complete college-level CTE coursework; CTE Marketing campaign to promote the positive impact of CTE on education and the workforce."

Trustee Chairman Mark McCoy said there is an effort being made by the board to provide technical education in Bourbon County and that it started in April.

While there is no immediate plans for a physical facility, McCoy said, the board has been working on providing technical education opportunities.

"Are you aware that we have had much conversation with USD 234 and 235 and entered into an agreement to try to provide 155 classes for them up here?" McCoy said.

"I'm not aware of that," Marshall said.

"We realize getting a facility today was difficult, but what could we offer today?" McCoy said.

Regena Lance, dean of instruction at FSCC, recounted the results of outreaches to the local school districts in Fort Scott, Uniontown, Pleasanton and Jayhawk-Linn.

"We have CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) classes that have been going for quite a while here...two classes going right now," Lance said. "There are Jayhawk-Linn students in that as well. We have manicuring. Last year we had a pre-cosmetology with a Fort Scott High School student. We have a Uniontown student coming in from Uniontown for truck driving school. That's a unique situation because they have to be 18 (years old). We've got several construction trades kids from Uniontown plus some at the high school in Fort Scott."

Lance said the recent changes in administration has slowed the communication, since the original survey went out to school districts for input into interest in technical education.

Trustee Jim Sather said the new administrator at USD 234 is going to communicate more.

"I think they'll be an increase in USD 234 student participation," he said.

McCoy said if an opportunity with the right price for a facility to house a Bourbon County Technical Education Center became apparent, "from my position...that would be something we would consider."

Showcase of students

Two groups of students were highlighted at the trustees meeting.

The first was the meats judging team, coached by first-year coach, Jenilee Martin. She introduced the national champion team to the trustees: Natalie Hill of Paola; James Spieth of Farlington; Nikki Harris of Hepler; Lane Johnson of Eureka; and Ben Walker of Nevada, Mo.

The second group of students was introduced by FSCC sports information director and head volleyball coach Lindsay Hill: Julia Stringer, Kortney Blaufuss, Molly Hothan, Terina Harris and Shelbey Baker. The students were commended for their efforts both on and off the court.

Other business

* Tom Havron, director of admissions, reported that 187 students came for the recent Senior Day outreach to high schools. In the last three weeks, 178 students have submitted applications to FSCC.

* Santos Manrique, associate dean for Crawford County campuses, said 591 middle school eighth graders participated in the Careers in Construction event that he spearheaded on Oct. 28-30.

* Janel Scales, dean of finance and operations, discussed the renovation of the Baily Hall Round Room. The renovation is to begin in December during the break between semesters.

* Bailey Lyons, director of development, reported that 250 people attended the recent annual Endowment Dinner.

* Mindy Russell, director of business operations, provided several financial reports.

* FSCC Interim President Dick Hedges said the presidential search continues with "three nibbles and one application."

* The board approved the bills and claims report.

* The following were approved as new personnel:

Daniel Koppa, trucking instructor, Nov. 7;

Michael Blake, part-time temporary regional recruiter, Iowa Migrant Education Program (MEP) project, Nov.14;

Alex Johnson, lead identification and recruitment coordinator, MEP;

Jason Simon, network specialist, Oct. 20;

Ryan Beerbower, lead information technology tech, Oct. 20.

* The purchase of an exhaust removal system at the Harley Davidson School was approved. The system will be funded with a Carl Perkins Grant.

* The board approved a board policy addendum to comply with Office of Management and Budget regulations to read: "FSCC will comply with the Office of Management and Budget Uniform Administration requirements, cost principles and audit requirements for federal awards, unless otherwise specified in the board policy."