Category Archives: Fort Scott Community College

Alysia Johnston: Under Fire For Alleged Role in Fort Scott Community College’s Financial Crisis.

Alysia Johnston, taken from the Ks. Board of Regents website.

https://pro.stateaffairs.com/ks/education/alysia-johnston-fort-scott-regents-2

The above link is an article published by State Affairs/Hawver’s Capitol Report and written by Matt Resnick, a former Fort Scott Tribune reporter.  https://stateaffairs.com/author/mresnick/

It is a story on former Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston who retired in April  2023 as FSCC President.

Alysia Johnston Retires as FSCC’s President

Johnston was appointed by Governor Kelly to the Kansas Board of Regents in June 2023.

https://www.kansasregents.org/about/meet_the_board/alysia-johnston

 

Update of Location of FSCC Trustees Meeting on June 27

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 2:30 pm in the Ellis Fine Art Center for a budget hearing to amend the 2023-24 budget.

 

As soon as the budget hearing is completed, the board will move into a brief regular meeting to approve personnel actions and address a few general business items.

 

FSCC Trustees Will Hold A Special Budget Hearing Meeting

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 2:30 pm in the Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Ag Building for a budget hearing to amend the 2023-24 budget.

 

As soon as the budget hearing is completed, the board will move into a brief regular meeting to approve personnel actions and address a few general business items.

 

Chamber Coffee Hosted by FSCC Cosmetology Department on June 27

Join us for Chamber Coffee!

Thursday, June 27th, 8am

Hosted by Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology Department

2108 S. Horton

Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology Department is located at 2108 S. Horton.

* FSCC Cosmetology is a full-service salon with students having special fields of interests!

*FSCC Cosmetology run a monthly special that they have posted in the salon as well as on their Facebook page.

*The cosmetology program consists of 1,500 hours of instruction and work, customarily spread over a 9-12 month period. Students meet 9 hours per day 5 days per week.

Thank you FSCC Cosmetology for being a Chamber Member!

Join us for coffee, juice, light refreshments and door prizes this Thursday at FSCC Cosmetology Department!

Click here to check out their Facebook!

Click here to learn more about the program and enrollment information!

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members

shown below…

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com

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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US

Agenda for the FSCC Trustees For June 17

June 17, 2024
Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701

6.17.24 Consent Agenda
The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday, June
17, 2024. The meeting will be held in the meeting rooms of the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott
Community College.
5:30 p.m. Regular monthly Board meeting
THE AGENDA
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on May 20, 2024,
and Special Board Meetings conducted on May 23, 2024, and June 10, 2024, 6
C. Approval of Bills and Claims, 12
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 6
ACTION ITEMS, 40
A. Resolution 2024 – 28: Consideration of Annual Camp Grant Laptop Purchase, 41
B. Resolution 2024 – 29: Consideration of KASB Worker’s Compensation Member
Participation Premium Agreement, 49
C. Resolution 2024 – 30: Consideration of 2024-25 Meeting Dates and Time, 49
D. Resolution 2024 – 31: Consideration of Property and Liability Insurance Quotes, 56
E. Resolution 2024 – 32: Consideration of Educational Assessments Corporation License
Renewal, 60
F. Resolution 2024 – 33: Consideration of Kone Elevator Repair Proposal, 62
REPORTS, 68
A. Administration
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 70
ADJOURNMENT, 711

A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on May 20, 2024, and
Special Board Meetings conducted on May 23, 2024, and June 10, 2024.
C. APPROVAL OF BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Bills and Claims Report.
D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
1) Additions
a) Christopher Wheeler, Maintenance Technician, effective June 18, 2024
b) Jhawan Horton, Assistant Track and Field Coach, effective June 18, 2024
c) Toni Summers, Nursing Instructor, effective July 31, 2024
2) Separations
a) Kent Aikin, John Deere Technology Instructor, effective July 31, 2024
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.ailey
_____ John Bartelsmeyer
_____ Jim Fewins
_____ Bryan Holt
_____ Chad McKinnis
_____ Doug Ropp3
CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC4

 

Minutes of the FSCC Trustees for May 20

FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
May 20, 2024
PRESENT: Ronda Bailey, John Bartelsmeyer, Bryan Holt, Chad McKinnis, and Doug Ropp
ALSO PRESENT: Sonia Gugnani-Acting Board Clerk, faculty, staff, community members
Chairman Holt called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm in the meeting rooms of the Ellis Fine Arts Center.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Chairman Holt announced Dr. Kegler would not be attending the night’s
meeting. He also introduced Justin Villmer who is assisting with the budgeting process and congratulated the
softball team on their recent win.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None.
REVIEW OF PROGRAMS – NURSING: Nursing Director Darcus Kottwitz highlighted recent events and
updates for FSCC’s nursing department. She said the department is excited by the interest in students returning to
the program, including 25 applicants for first semester. Students have spent more time in the simulation lab this
year. It allows them to experience situations in a safe zone. The program is preparing to move to the lower level of
the Hedges Administration Building for the fall semester. Nursing employees will attend the KSBN education
meeting on June 11, and ACEN will visit is in September, 2024.
STUDENT SURVEY UPDATE: Ashley Keylon provided an update of the recent student satisfaction survey. She
expressed gratitude to faculty for carving time out of their classes to administer the survey. The retention committee
will review the results and report more detailed results at a later date.
CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Ropp, seconded by Bailey, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the consent agenda
with the following revisions:
Table new hires to a later date with the exception of Missy Scott as VP of Finance and Operations, but
approve separations and transfers.
Omit Discussion Items A, B, and C
Omit Action Items C, D, E, and F.
ACTION ITEMS:
A. Resolution 2024 – 18: A motion was made by Ropp seconded by Bartelsmeyer, and carried by unanimous
vote to approve republishing the 22-23 audit as indicated.
B. Resolution 2024 – 19: A motion was made by Bartelsmeyer, seconded by Ropp, and carried by unanimous
vote to approve republishing the 23-24 budget for Funds 11: General and 13: Adult Education.
C. Resolution 2024 – 24: A motion was made by Bailey, seconded by Ropp, and carried by unanimous vote to
table consideration of the 2024 summer calendar until the special meeting being held on May 17.
D. Resolution 2024 – 25: A motion was made by Ropp, seconded by Bailey, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the audit engagement letter with Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips for the year ending June 30, 2024.
E. Resolution 2024 – 26: A motion was made by Ropp, seconded by Bartelsmeyer, and carried by unanimous
vote to approve the contract for Missy Scott as Vice President of Finance and Operations.6
REPORTS:
• ADMINISTRATION – The Board reviewed and heard updates from the Gordon Parks Museum,
Academic Affairs, and Student Services.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by McKinnis, seconded by Bartelsmeyer, and carried by unanimous
vote to adjourn to executive session for 20 minutes beginning at 6:17 pm for the purpose of discussing non-elected
personnel as it relates to discussion of identifiable personnel information of non-elected personnel with no action
expected to follow. The Board invited Carolyn Sinn to join.
OPEN SESSION: A motion was made by Bartelsmeyer, seconded by Ropp, and carried by unanimous vote to
return to open session at 6:39 pm.
Sonia provided the feedback from the Perkins audit for the Board’s review. She also provided the written report that
was provided to KSBN regarding the nursing program’s progress addressing KSBN’s concerns.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by McKinnis, seconded by Bartelsmeyer, and carried by unanimous
vote to adjourn to executive session for 30 minutes beginning at 6:50 pm for the purpose of discussing non-elected
personnel as it relates to discussion of identifiable personnel information of non-elected personnel with action
expected to follow. The Board invited Sara Sutton, Sonia Gugnani, and Gina Shelton to join.
OPEN SESSION: A motion was made at 7:21 pm by Bailey, seconded by Ropp, and carried by unanimous vote to
return to open session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by McKinnis, seconded by Ropp, and carried by unanimous vote to
adjourn to executive session for 20 minutes beginning at 7:22 pm for the purpose of discussing non-elected
personnel as it relates to discussion of identifiable personnel information of non-elected personnel with action
expected to follow. The Board invited Sara Sutton, Sonia Gugnani, and Gina Shelton to join.
OPEN SESSION: A motion was made at 7:42 pm by Bailey, seconded by Ropp, and carried by unanimous vote to
return to open session.
A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Bartelsmeyer, and carried by unanimous vote to place Dr. Kegler on
administrative leave with pay effective immediately.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
7:44 pm by Bartelsmeyer, seconded by Ropp, and carried by unanimous vote.
Chairman Clerk7

Special Board Meeting of the FSCC Trustees on June 10

FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Special Board of Trustees Meeting
June 10, 2024
PRESENT: Ronda Bailey, Jim Fewins, Bryan Holt, and Chad McKinnis
ALSO PRESENT: Sara Sutton-Interim President, Juley McDaniel-Board Clerk, staff, public
Chairman Holt called the meeting to order at 3:02 pm in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Bailey, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the consent agenda.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by McKinnis, and carried by unanimous vote
to adjourn to executive session for one hour beginning at 3:05 pm to discuss personnel matters of non-elected
personnel as it relates organizational structure with no action expected to follow. The board invited Sara Sutton,
Sonia Gugnani, Missy Scott, Liza Erwin, and Juley McDaniel to join.
OPEN SESSION: At 4:07 am a motion was made by Fewins, seconded by McKinnis, and carried by unanimous
vote to return to open session.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
4:8 pm by Fewins, seconded by McKinnis, and carried by unanimous vote.
Chairman Clerk11

Minutes of the FSCC Trustees for May 23

FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Special Board of Trustees Meeting
May 23, 2024 #2
PRESENT: Ronda Bailey, Jim Fewins, Bryan Holt, Chad McKinnis, and Doug Ropp
ALSO PRESENT: Sara Sutton-Interim President, Juley McDaniel-Board Clerk, staff, public
Chairman Holt called the meeting to order at 10:36 am in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Ropp, seconded by McKinnis, and carried by unanimous vote to
adjourn to executive session for fifteen minutes beginning at 10:40 am to discuss personnel matters of non-elected
personnel discussion of identifiable personal information of non-elected personnel with action expected to follow.
The board invited Sara Sutton, Sonia Gugnani, Gina Shelton, Liza Erwin, and Juley McDaniel to join.
OPEN SESSION: At 10:55 am a motion was made by Ropp, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote
to return to open session.
ACTION ITEMS:
Resolution 2024 – 27: A motion was made by Bailey, seconded by McKinnis, and carried by unanimous vote to
suspend men’s and women’s golf, Esports, and flag football programs and honor scholarships for those students for
the 2024-25 academic year.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
10:56 pm by Fewins, seconded by Ropp, and carried by unanimous vote.
Chairman Clerk10
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Special Board of Trustees Meeting
June 10, 2024
PRESENT: Ronda Bailey, Jim Fewins, Bryan Holt, and Chad McKinnis
ALSO PRESENT: Sara Sutton-Interim President, Juley McDaniel-Board Clerk, staff, public
Chairman Holt called the meeting to order at 3:02 pm in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Bailey, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the consent agenda.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by McKinnis, and carried by unanimous vote
to adjourn to executive session for one hour beginning at 3:05 pm to discuss personnel matters of non-elected
personnel as it relates organizational structure with no action expected to follow. The board invited Sara Sutton,
Sonia Gugnani, Missy Scott, Liza Erwin, and Juley McDaniel to join.
OPEN SESSION: At 4:07 am a motion was made by Fewins, seconded by McKinnis, and carried by unanimous
vote to return to open session.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
4:8 pm by Fewins, seconded by McKinnis, and carried by unanimous vote.
Chairman Clerk11

FSCC Trustees Will Hold a Special Meeting on June 10

The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

It will be held in the Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Ag Building.

Personnel actions (additions, separations, transitions) will be approved, and then board will adjourn to executive session for the purposes of discussing non-elected personnel as it relates to organizational structure.  No action is expected to follow.

 

Two board members are unable to attend, but a quorum will be present with the four remaining members in attendance.

FSCC Administrative Transition Has Challenges

 

Sara Sutton from the Fort Scott Community College website.

The recent administration shifts at Fort Scott Community College have not been easy.

FSCC President Dr. Jason Kegler was put on paid administrative leave on May 20 and Sara Sutton was promoted to interim president. No reason was given by the college trustees for putting Kegler on leave.

To view a prior story:

FSCC Will Name Interim President: Dr. Kegler Placed on Administrative Leave

Sutton was selected by the FSCC Board of Trustees to be the interim president, on May 23.

At that same meeting, the trustees resolved to suspend men’s golf and women’s golf, e-sports, and flag football and will honor those student scholarships for the 2024-25 school year, they announced.

Sutton began duties as the new interim president on May 24.

Sutton has been an instructor at the college since 2018, then promoted to vice president in February 2024.

Sutton earned an Associate of Science degree from Fort Scott Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University,  and was appointed as the FSCC Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development in February 2024. Sutton was to begin her official duties in the role on July 1, 2024, according to the college website.

Her duties have now shifted to leadership of the community college.

“This transition has had its challenges to navigate,” she said. “The change in leadership on Friday, May 24th not only brought about my Interim role but also a new athletic director.”

Liza Erwin is the newly appointed FSCC Athletic Director.

“With the board’s decision to suspend the three sports programs, the new athletic director had to properly inform the National Junior College Athletic Association of the changes and then gain access to the Letter of Intent (LOI) system,” she said. “That did not take place until early in the following week. Then, it was a series of approvals with all LOI’s released by Saturday, June 1st from FSCC.”

“The Athletic Director was in contact with coaches and personally contacted each student,” Sutton said. “While we wish this process was faster on our end, we were at the mercy of the challenges of the transition of a new Athletic Director and Interim President all in the same time frame. We tried our best to complete the release in a timely manner so students could move forward.”

“All students who were impacted by these changes have been given the opportunity to be on scholarship next school year,” she said. “Those who have paid any fees for the 2024-2025 school year and wish to not attend FSCC will be refunded.

“This decision was not taken lightly and the educational future of those impacted is important to Fort Scott Community College,” Sutton said.

 

FSCC Trustees Select Sara Sutton as Interim President

The FSCC Board of Trustees met in a special meeting, Thursday morning, May 23. Sara Sutton, current Vice President of Career and Technical and Workforce Development was named as Interim President effective immediately for the 2024-25 school year.

Mrs. Sutton, earned an Associate of Science degree from
Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, both from Pittsburg State University.
In 2002, she arrived on FSCC’s campus as part of the College Rodeo Team. She credits the experiences, opportunities and the “family feel” she received during her time as a student to be the driving force for her to return to the college. After teaching high school biology and agriculture in both Crawford and Bourbon
Counties, she returned to FSCC to teach in the Agriculture Department and coach the meats judging team. During her tenure at FSCC, she developed and implemented programs and course offerings which enhance the college’s career and technical education programs, collaborated with various campus departments
and organizations within the community and region, and has served as a mentor to new faculty.

FSCC Names An Interim President: Sara Sutton

 

Hedges Building, Fort Scott Community College.

The Fort Scott Community College  Board of Trustees and the Administrative Team announced on  May 21 that they had decided to name an interim president, according to a college press release.

The current president, Dr. Jason Kegler has been placed on administrative leave with pay, effective Monday, May 20th. There were no more details of Kegler’s leave given.

A special trustees meeting was announced for May 23 at 8:30 a.m.

At this meeting, the trustees deliberated and then announced that Sara Sutton was named as interim president of the college.

Sara Sutton from the Fort Scott Community College website.

Sara Sutton, who earned an Associate of Science degree from Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University, was appointed as the Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development in February 2024. Sutton was to begin her official duties in the role on July 1, 2024, according to the college website.

Since 2018,  Sutton had taught in the FSCC Agriculture Department and coached the Meat Judging Team

Now, she will lead the college until a new president can be found.

The board had one public commenter before the executive sessions that was planned.

Steve Anthony said he has some international students living with his family and they play golf. Anthony asked the board if there is going to be a golf team next year, he would like to know to help his students plan for their next college year.

One executive session to discuss non-elected personnel included John Hill.

Another included the executive team of the college: Sutton, Sonia Gugnani, Gina Shelton, and Juley McDaniel.

One session included changing signing rights on the college’s bank account.

Following another executive session, the trustees resolved to suspend men’s and women’s golf, esports, and flag football and honor those scholarships for the 2024-25 school year.

They adjourned after an approximate 2.5-hour meeting.