The Barton Community College Board of Trustees approved an interlocal agreement Tuesday with the City of Great Bend, adopting a new neighborhood revitalization plan. The plan allows the city to offer tax rebates on improvements that increase the value of the properties. The agreement will be in effect from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2016, when it can be extended, modified or allowed to expire.
The board also approved hiring Ellinwood resident Jon Dannebohm as a technology assistant on the Barton County campus and approved a position change for Ousmane Camara, who will sign a contract as the head women’s soccer coach.
Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman and board chairman Mike Johnson plan to travel to Topeka to visit with legislators on Jan. 14. The trustees are also planning to hold a ribbon cutting and open house for the new welding program at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 28.

Educational Opportunity
Trustees also heard a report from Susie Burt, project director of the Central Kansas Educational Opportunity Center, which is located at 1025 Main in Great Bend. It offers free educational services to adults, with an emphasis on serving low income, first-generation college students. CKEOC is one of four TRIO Programs hosted by Barton and is 100 percent funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It serves 33 counties and also has an office in Junction City.
Services offered include:
• Academic advising and mentoring
• Career exploration
• Assessment of academic skills and financial needs
• Information about vocational/technical schools, colleges and universities
• Information/assistance in applying for scholarships and completing the federal financial aid form for grants and loans
• Assistance in applying for admission
• Transportation to campus visits
• Assistance with placement in high school diploma or GED programs
Burt said the program has 1,000 participants a year. They are advised of the best options for them, which may not always be Barton Community College. However, last year 395 CKEOC clients were served through Barton.
Almost all of the clients receive some sort of financial literacy education, Burt said. “You can’t be successful unless you can manage your money.”
Adults must be 19 years of age or older to be eligible for free services. For more information call 793-8164 or the toll-free number, 877-684-8164, or visit the website www.bartonccc.edu/eoc/.