Board watches over new arts center project

By Jason E. Silvers

Herald - Tribune

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- On Monday, the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees is expected to receive an update on the impending construction of the $7.5 million Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.

A date for which construction on the 33,000-square-foot facility will begin has not been set as officials are still working to finalize construction costs on the building. While there is no immediate date planned to start building the center, construction will definitely begin soon once those plans are complete, FSCC officials said.

FSCC is working with an Arkansas-based architectural firm on building requirements and costs related to the center's design, and is working with a Columbus, Kan.-based construction company on actual construction aspects of the building.

A contract between FSCC and these companies is still being reviewed so construction on the facility cannot begin until that contract has been finalized. FSCC President Clayton Tatro will give a construction report on the center to trustees on Monday during their regular meeting in the FSCC Heritage Room, 2108 S. Horton St.

Tatro also plans to update the board on the process each month through the building's construction phase once it begins. The facility is scheduled to be completed in April 2009 FSCC officially broke ground on the new fine arts center on Oct. 6. The FSCC Endowment Association, which is conducting the capital campaign to raise money to build the center, has collected more than $6 million in pledges and cash donations toward the overall cost of the center. Fund raising will continue through the building's construction phase, officials said.

The center will be used for a variety of purposes, including fine arts classes, theater productions, and music rehearsals. The center will contain a 600-seat auditorium, several fine arts studios, a 19,000-square-foot performing arts hall, and a 12,000-square-foot academic hall.

Trustees are scheduled to also conduct the following business on Monday:

* Hear a report from Tatro on an analysis comparing FSCC revenue to that of four other community colleges in Kansas. FSCC generated more than 46,000 credit hours during the 2006-'07 school year, and served more than 3,300 full-time and part-time students during that same time.

* Hear a update from FSCC Maintenance Director Steve Stanton on the condition of several areas and projects on the college grounds.

* Accept the resignations of assistant women's basketball coach Jerry Livingston, library assistant Vera Norris, and associate dean of occupational programs Jay Leek.

* Hire Dan Kenslow and Charlie Bannister as instructors in the Kansas City Truck Driving Program, and transfer Fort Scott trucking instructor Jack Kendrick to the position of director of the Kansas City Truck Driving Program.

* Approve the August treasurer's report, which showed a $1.6 million starting cash balance, $2 in expenses, $3.5 million in revenue, and a $3 million ending cash balance.

* Consider the purchase of a 2007 Chevrolet 15-passenger extended cab van at a cost of $12,288 after the trade-in of a 2003 15-passenger extended cab van that FSCC currently possesses. FSCC has a $41,000 budget available for vehicle purchases, an FSCC statement said.

* Hear a report on credit hours and student fees generated at the college and revenue that FSCC earns through those hours and fees.

The board has also scheduled an executive session to discuss personnel matters.