After reportedly falling behind schedule for an August completion date, construction of a new residence hall at Barton Community College is back on schedule, college trustees learned this week.
Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman gave an update during the board’s monthly study session.
“It is on-target for move-in on Aug. 1,” Heilman said. “I look forward to being able to walk through it shortly.”
Board chairman Mike Johnson said some subcontractors had contacted him with concerns that the project might not hit the target date.
“We appreciate the efforts to get back on track,” Heilman said.
The new dorm building will add 46 new beds to replace the original apartment-style dorm buildings constructed in the 1970s. It will also provide some overflow space at the beginning of each school year. It is being built just west of the current housing area on the south end of campus. The project was started last May with plans to be finished before the 2014 fall semester. Heilman said student housing runs at 90 percent occupancy overall. The new housing will be more appealing to prospective students, he added.
During the study session, trustees also received names of 74 instructors for annual contract reviews, noting who will be eligible for tenure and who will be leaving. Action is expected at the next board meeting. Johnson noted trustees are also filling out evaluations of the president.
Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell attended the meeting to propose renewing the revitalization inter-local agreement between the City of Hoisington and the College. If approved, this will allow tax rebates on new construction or major remodeling projects in the city.
Trustees also heard from Karyl White, director of Emergency Medical Services, who explained how the college’s paramedic program should be changed to help Fort Riley soldiers meet the U.S. Army’s mandate for national certification.
Dr. Heilman gave his monthly report on miscellaneous agreements he has signed. These include a nursing clinical affiliation agreement with Hays Medical Center, and medical lab technician (MLT) clinical affiliation agreements with Rooks County Health Center, Osborne County Memorial Hospital, Edwards County Hospital and Russell Regional Hospital.
He also signed a memorandum of understanding with Energy Training Solutions related to the college’s Natural Gas Program, and received new Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Eligible Training Provider (ETP) Program requests for: Manufacturing Skills (8 credit hours); Gas Measurement (certificate 30 credit hours); Welding (certificate – 16 credit hours); Beef Cattle Production (certificate 37 credit hours); Beef Cattle Production (certificate 23 credit hours).
Other discussion topics were the board meeting schedule and the college’s marketing plan.