Note: This story has been updated online to correct the following error: Dean of Administration Mark Dean did not say the college is expecting mill levy increases.

This spring’s tuition increase at Barton Community College was supposed to last at least a year, President Dr. Carl Heilman said Tuesday at a Board of Trustees meeting.
“We’re going to have to rethink the tuition schedule for students for next year,” he said.
Dean of Administration Mark Dean said an increase in tuition and fees will be recommended — the only question is how much. Increasing both by $1 raises about $72,000.
“The board does not have to make a decision this month,” Heilman said. But board members should be ready to act in March, when Dean has more information on next year’s budget and in time for students who enroll for fall classes in the spring.
Other colleges will be in the same boat, Dean predicted. They are having to return 2 percent of this year’s state aid — $156,000 will go back. It could be more.
Last Saturday, at Great Bend’s Legislative Coffee, Rep. Troy Waymaster said there could be another 4 percent cut, trustee Mike Johnson told the board.
Next year, the state will start with the reduced budgets and cut an additional 7 percent, Dean said.
Meanwhile, the value of oil set for taxing purposes has dropped to $38, compared to $76 last year. Dean said Barton County’s oil valuation might drop from $62 million to $27-28 million — and the college would lose over $1 million unless the revenue  is made up elsewhere. One mill raised about $270,000 for the college last year, but with the reduction in oil valuation, Dean estimates a mill will raise $240,000. “I hope I’m totally wrong.”

Swimming pool
That was followed by discussion about the BCC swimming pool. Its projected expenditures for the next five years is $348,9000, and the projected revenue is $36,964. Many swim classes have low enrollments or are cancelled due to lack of enrollment, administrators said. The exception is scuba, which is a popular class.
Dean described some costly improvements made in the past few months. “The facility’s 45 years old,” he said. “My major concern is the drop ceiling. ... Some day the ceiling is going to fall.” Rust has compromised the metal frame, light fixtures and duct work, he explained. While the ceiling could last another 10 years, it could fall earlier — with no warning.
In 2012 the college got a bid of $52,000 to replace the ceiling, but other projects took priority, Dean said.
None of this is new, and administration has already had meetings with people who might be affected, Heilman said. The Aldrich Trust committee used to control local dollars, and donated $250,000 to add the pool 40 years ago, with the understanding BCC would maintain it and “give priority to Boy Scouts.” Now, the Quivira Council does not value the pool and does not sponsor it, he said.
“There needs to be some ownership and support of the pool.”
Great Bend’s swim club, The Golden Belt Swim Squad, has already increased its contribution substantially, Heilman continued. “I appreciate what the swim club did.”
Andrew Murphy from the Swim Squad and Great Bend USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed voiced their support, and mentioned Rob Dove, interim director of the BCC Foundation, could also be a helpful resource.
“I do know something has to be done about the pool,” Heilman said. Money spent on that “campus gem” is “money we can’t spend on gems in the making,” such as a welding program. “If people in the community want a pool, they’d better be part of the solution.”
“This is your issue; I wouldn’t presume to tell you what to do,” Reed said. “This is also a community issue,” he said, noting he’s been getting calls. “We really support you keeping the pool open.”
USD 428 has been using the BCC pool at no charge, Reed said. While no dollar amount has been agreed on, Reed said he understands that will change.
Murphy agreed to help the college find names for a community group that will look at solutions.