FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
February 19, 2024

PRESENT: Ronda Bailey, John Bartelsmeyer, Jim Fewins, Bryan Holt, and Doug Ropp
ALSO PRESENT: Jason Kegler-President, Juley McDaniel-Board Clerk, faculty, staff, community members

Chairman Holt called the meeting to order at 5:31 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 recognized the men’s and women’s track team who took first
and second in the conference respectively, as well as Coach Redrick who was voted men’s coach of the year. The men’s 4×4 team broke the region’s record and will go to Nationals.

Jim Fewins reported past FSCC president Jim Meisner passed away unexpectedly, and his funeral will be at the National Cemetery. More details will be shared when they become available.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Anne Dare asked about migrant education and IDEA at FSCC. Although she said she’s not sure what it is and what it does for FSCC, she is concerned about the balances in those funds as shown on the treasurer’s report. She said she found where IDEA was approved by the Board of Trustees in the
March, 2023. She asked the Board to consider if IDEA is a partnership they want to continue.

REVIEW OF PROGRAMS – VOLLEYBALL: Coach Trisha Hamm and seven volleyball team members introduced themselves. Trisha started as head volleyball coach in the 2022-23 season, improving from 6-22 the first year to 13-16 the second year. The team made it to the playoffs for the first time in three years, hosted their first
tournament in five years, and had a nationally ranked team GPA. The team participated in the welcome back to school at a local elementary school, has served as line judges at high school games, had a Greenbush day, and volunteered at trunk or treat, the spring kids fair, and worked the baseball admissions gate. Coach Hamm said they are always looking for community service opportunities. The team has four returning as sophomores, five committed, two offers are out, and two still to visit and offer, and all but 1 are from Kansas. The group agreed they have created a positive culture in the program. Board members were encouraged to attend games, help with the pancake feed, and help spread the word about their camps.

CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Bartelsmeyer, and carried by unanimous vote
to approve the consent agenda.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. First Reading of Policies – As part of a plan to consistently work towards updating Board Policy, the following policy revisions were reviewed for feedback. They will be presented for final approval at the next board meeting.
a. Board Member Conflicts of Interest
b. Board Meeting Rules of Order
c. Employee Tuition Scholarship
d. Campus Closings Due to Weather
B. Five Year Financial Plan – Dr. Kegler reported many have asked what FSCC’s plan is to recover from financial concerns. He said many other presidents in the state have shared their financial plan. The financial plan pages are a framework for moving forward. Amounts will remain blank until the Board goes
through a budget workshop to complete it.
C. 2024 – 25 Academic Year Fees – Dr. Kegler said he hoped to have numbers for fee increases, but is still waiting on a couple of outside entities to get back with FSCC on what things will cost. Dr. Kegler
explained student fees will likely increase $5 and most institutions across the state are increasing tuition and fees $2 and $3 respectively, so across the state institutions are seeing a fee increase of $3 – $5. Dr. Kegler said FSCC is anticipating a $5 fee increase this year and potentially tuition increase next year, as6
well as a housing increase of $100 – $200 depending on what rates Great Western Dining provides. The executive team will continue talking about rates.
D. FSCC Athletic Hall of Fame Guidelines – The Board reviewed the current requirements for admission to FSCC Athletic Hall of Fame. Based on the guidelines currently in place, it appears at least one of the students mentioned in a previous meeting is eligible to be nominated. Steve Anthony reiterated his desire
to help with any part of the process.
ACTION ITEMS:
A. Resolution 2024 – 1: A motion was made by Fewins seconded by Bailey, and carried by unanimous vote to mapprove an increase in the allowed petty cash amounts from $3,300 to $5,300.
B. Resolution 2024 – 2: A motion was made by Bartelsmeyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous
vote to table the consideration to terminate the current lease with Sycamore Grove Apartments upon completion of the current agreement’s term. Fewins requested additional figures on students, capacity, and fees, in order to make a decision. Ropp requested new board members be given a tour of the housing
options so the board knows what they’re being asked to consider.
C. Resolution 2024 – 3: A motion was made by Ropp, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the Bank Signee Resolution.

REPORTS:
• HLC – The HLC Committee has continued meeting every other Tuesday, reviewing what has been done for each criterion since 2020. Dr. Kegler reported a digital copy of the progress will be provided to the Board.
Dr. Kegler added the number of employees going to the HLC Conference has been reduced based on feedback. Dr. Kegler, Sonia Gugnani, and Sara Sutton will attend the conference in April in Chicago.
• GORDON PARKS MUSEUM – The Board reviewed a report provided by the Gordon Parks Museum.
Dr. Kegler added he’s received several compliments on the work that Kirk Sharp is doing.
• FOUNDATION – None
• ADMINISTRATION – The Board reviewed and heard updates from Miami County, Academic Affairs, Finance and Operations, Student Services, and President.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Bartelsmeyer and carried by unanimous vote to adjourn to executive session for 5 minutes beginning at 8:10 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 Dr. Kegler to join.
OPEN SESSION: A motion was made at 8:16 pm by Fewins, seconded by Bartelsmeyer, 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
8:16 pm by Bartelsmeyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote.