CCCC board approves hires, reviews budget

The Cloud County Community College board of trustees approved the hiring of two instructors in renewable energy, an instructor of music and an assistant men's basketball coach during a special meeting on Wednesday night.
Hired as renewable energy instructors were Stacey Baker and Charles Henry.
A graduate of Cloud County Community College and Fort Hays State University, Baker was serving as an adjunct instructor for the college's renewable energy program.
Henry received his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering, bachelor of science degree in mathematics and bachelor of science degree in cognitive psychology from the University of Kansas.
The board approved the hiring of Christopher Langsford as an instructor of music effective August 12.
Langsford received his bachelor of music in vocal music degree from Washburn University and his master of music in choral conducting from Michigan State University. He previously worked as the assistant professor in music at Coffeyville Community College and at Labette Community College.
Taylor Jones was hired as the new assistant men's basketball coach effective June 17.
Jones, who received his bachelor of science degree in sport management and his masters of science degree in sport administration from Eastern Illinois University, served as the assistant coach at the University of Jamestown in Jamestown, N.D. last season. He was an assistant men's coach at Dakota College in Bottineau, N.D. and an assistant coach at Garden City Community College.
A bid from Dissinger Reed in the amount of $86,500 for basic and $5,866 for catastrophic student athletic insurance coverage for the 2019-20 fiscal year was approved by the board.
The board conducted a study session on the 2019-2020 budget during the meeting.
It has been recommended by the college administration to leave the current mill levy rate of 29.770 mills unchanged.
The mill levy rate for the college has increased just 0.7 percent from 2011 through 2019 from 29.549 to 29.770.
Amber Knoettgen, vice president for administrative services, provided the board members with information on the budget process including two budget scenarios for the fiscal year 2020.
Knoettgen recommended the budget scenario that is based on a 1.5 percent decrease in credit hours (555 credit hours, an increase in the state operating grant  of $66,073 and an increase in housing occupancy.
The board will schedule a public hearing on the budget at a later date.