The Seward County Community College/Area Technical School Board of Trustees

accepted the resignation of Jo Ann Sharp at its November board meeting,

Monday, Nov. 1, 2010.

Sharp, who has been a board member since 1987, said it has been a privilege

to be a part of SCCC/ATS history since the beginning. She was on the USD 480

school board in 1967 and was one of the individuals who helped make both the

college and the area technical school a reality.

The board presented a plaque to Jo Ann Sharp in honor of her nearly 20 years

of service as chair of the Board. The college will publicize the vacancy and

appoint a new board member at the December board meeting.

Cynthia Rapp, dean of instruction, presented the board with an update on the

Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) projects through the North

Central Association Higher Learning Commission, which governs the

college ??s continued accreditation. The Action Projects that were submitted

for review include 1. Improving the Concurrent Enrollment Experience for

Students, Parents, and School Staff; 2. Developing a Student Retention Plan;

and 3. Improving Communication through Effective Meetings.

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Dr. Duane Dunn, SCCC/ATS president, gave an update of the five-year, Title V

Grant the college has received in the amount of $3,249,913. The grant will

add three programs, including Corrosion Technology, Process Technology and

Radiology Technology. Steve Weins will be the project manager. This grant

will allow for the addition of an online component for these and other

technical programs.

Another new program, the National Gas Compression Technology program, will

begin offering classes this spring to eight students, Dale Reed, associate

dean of educational services told the board.

Beginning with the spring 2011 semester, the college will offer a variety of

general education courses from 2-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, said Rapp.

This is one way the college is beginning to address the institution goal

relating to identifying student issues that may prevent enrollment. The

college is trying to adapt schedules and services to meet some of those

needs.

In other action, the board

1. Approved changes to Board Policy 620 regarding the Family

Medical Leave Act, which needed to be changed to meet new federal

regulations;

2. Hired Kelly Campbell as Safety and Security Supervisor;

3. Accepted the resignation of Reenie Jackson, Business and

Industry director; and

4. Approved the purchase of 80 thin clients from BookPC.com in

the amount of $69,600; 28 min-towers (lower level) from Dell Computer

Corporation in the amount of $36,260; 38 notebooks from Dell Computer in the

amount of $36,100 and 34 mini-towers (mid level) from Dell in the amount of

$45,900; the technology will be funded through the KBOR Technology Grant,

Carl Perkins, Post Secondary Capital Outlay and Technology Fund.

The board has set aside Tuesday, Nov. 16 for a special meeting to discuss

issuance of certificates of participation. The meeting will be 7:30 p.m., in

the board room. The Board members and administrators will attend a joint

Trustee meeting with Dodge City and Garden City community college

representatives. That meeting will be held at Dodge City Community College

on Tuesday, November 30.