FSCC develops an energy-saving plan

By Jason E. Silvers

Herald-Tribune

Fort Scott, Kan. -- Fort Scott Community College could save money on energy use in the future by switching to a cost-saving plan developed by a major nationwide energy company, FSCC officials said.

During their regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., Monday, in the FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton St., the Board of Trustees is scheduled to hear a report from John O'Herron, a representative from Chevron Energy Solutions Company, on the findings of a recent Feasibility Energy Analysis study company officials conducted during a recent tour of all FSCC facilities. The study included all buildings on the college's main campus and the Burke Street Campus, which houses the FSCC Nursing Program.

The board, during that meeting, is scheduled to discuss the findings of the feasibility study and vote to enter into an energy and cost saving agreement with the company. The plan will not cost FSCC any money out of its budget, FSCC Dean of Finance and Operations Darcy Baldonado said.

"Over a 10 to 20 year period, it could be about $1 million in savings," she said. "We can use the savings (on energy bills) to pay for (future) projects."

Chevron officials have said that there is significant opportunity for FSCC to take advantage of the program, which would ultimately save money for the two-year college in the long run, and allow FSCC officials to use that savings to fund newer, more efficient energy programs, Baldonado said.

Baldonado, FSCC President Jim Miesner, and FSCC Director of Campus Services Steve Stanton have recently met with Chevron representatives to assist with the gathering of information used by Chevron to determine their findings, an FSCC statement said.

O'Herron will explain the findings of the study to the board in more detail on Monday, so that board members will have a better understanding of the plan, Baldonado said.

O'Herron will also talk about funding improvements at FSCC, including the replacement of a 40 year old air conditioning unit in the FSCC Administration Building, and how college officials can save money on electric bills.

Utility bills will be compared and final energy costs at FSCC will be reviewed at a later date, Baldonado said.

The board, on Monday, is also scheduled to:

* Review and adopt the college's nearly $12 million proposed budget for the 2006-07 school year. Board members will field questions from the public concerning the budget, make any necessary amendments, and then vote to accept the budget.

* Hear a report from Miesner on the coordination of plans and goals at FSCC, and an update on the FSCC Deferred Maintenance Data Collection project, in which FSCC buildings will be surveyed and the data will be sent to the Kansas Board of Regents and the Kansas Legislature for the development of a Deferred Maintenance Program for higher education.

Trustees approved entering into the agreement, which will cost FSCC a little more than $10,000, last month. All 19 community colleges in Kansas will share the cost of the program equally. The survey will be conducted between August and October and a final report will be sent to the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees in November.

* Accept the resignations of FSCC Public Relations Director Alisa Nolan, Maximized Individual Learning Laboratory Manager Latisha Kelley, Student Support Services Office Manager Cindy Richins, Assistant Football Coach Lamar James, High School Equivalency Program Consultant Johnny Bennett, and Data Collection Clerk Jean Strader.

* Approve the employment of FSCC Dorm Resident Assistant Guy Tuell, Assistant Softball Coach Brandi Bryan, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Steven Soza, Student Support Services Office Manager Jodi Quick, and John Deere Technician Training Program Instructor Matt Brown.