Faculty contracts are on the agenda for the next meeting of the Barton Community College Board of Trustees, set for 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in room F-30, on the lower level of the Fine Arts Building.
This year, all of the non-renewals proposed are due to resignations or retirements. No positions are being cut under the administration’s recommendation., unlike 2015. One year ago, the administration recommended non-renewing contracts of the director of the college’s theater program, Erin Renard, and journalism instructor Peter Solie, for reasons of “financial exigency.” Ultimately, both teachers were retained.

Board Chairman Mike Johnson, who voted with the 4-2 majority in 2015 to keep the instructors, commented at the time, “These times aren’t easy for anyone. The next two years aren’t going to be easy for anyone. It’s a very tough decision.”
The college continues to face the loss of revenue from lower oil prices and from threatened cuts from the state.
For Tuesday’s meeting, the board will hold an executive session for discussion of personnel prior to action on contracts or other items on the agenda.
The board will also welcome Linda Fund from Topeka. She is executive director of the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees and she will give an update on KACCT issues. Later in the meeting, Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman will give an update on Kansas Board of Regents issues and concerns.
Other items on the agenda include a presentation on federal financial aid updates, and the faculty council report. Mike Brown will be considered for a contract as head coach of men’s soccer. Jim Ireland, coordinator of facility management, will report on the college’s fleet of buses and will recommend that trustees approve the purchase of a used Coach from Thielen Bus Lines/MCI, at a cost of $149,900.

This story was updated Apri. 26, 2016.