The Barton Community College Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved renovating the track and soccer field constructed in 2010. In addition to replacing the track surface, the project includes replacing a failing drainage system that Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs said is behind most of the issues.
The board approved the proposal from Tarkett Sports Construction for a post-tension track, replacing the turf for track and field events, and drainage repair for $3,128,373. Proposals were sought from four vendors.
Although the current track has exceeded its lifespan, Rolfs said it has had issues from the start.
“Most of the issues with the track surface are due to improper drainage around the track as well as a failing drainage system within the subbase,” he reported. The track is experiencing cracking, separation and heaving.
“We’ve added more fill and patched areas,” Rolfs said. “We’re at a point where we can’t do much more of that fixing.”
Vendors recommended replacing the subsurface of the track with a post-tension track to eliminate the concerns of the subbase and potential water issues. The work carries a 50-year warranty on the base concrete and a 10-year warranty on the track surface, vs a one-year warranty on the base and a five-year warranty on the track surface if it is merely installed over the current subbase.
“The proposal ensures we don’t have this problem again,” Rolfs said. He added that 120-130 students use the facility year-round and safety is his first and foremost concern.
“We need this for the safety and future of those programs.”
Board Chairman Mike Johnson asked if improvements could make it possible for Barton to host other track meets.
“Without question,” Rolfs said. “With our location, the potential to host a KSHSAA (Kansas State High School Activities Association) event is big. Our regional position geographically is advantageous.”
Central Plains school district held meets at Barton in the past, bringing in 14-15 teams, he said.
Vice President of Administration Mark Dean also recommended the post-tension track to eliminate the surface problem.
“We knew this project was coming up,” Dean said. They have been putting money aside for the last five or six years.
Dean said the vendor expects to have the work done by October.
New software for BCC Foundation
The trustees also approved a software upgrade for the BCC Foundation that will save money, according to Johnson.
Barton uses Ellucian products for its Student Information System. The service has modules for Finance, Enrollment, Financial Aid and Human Resources.
“Unfortunately, the software provided by Ellucian does not meet the needs of our Foundation as it is designed on a sales platform, not a donor platform for non-profit organizations,” a report from Foundation Director Lindsey Bogner notes. “It isn’t built with small non-profits in mind and requires extensive IT support.”
The college now spends $55,000 per year on Ellucian. “That doesn’t count the hours spent making it work,” Bogner said.
The board approved the recommendation to purchase the Blackbaud Foundation Software package for $184,250. It will provide software until April 2029.
Barton President Dr. Marcus Garstecki called Blackbaud the gold standard for this type of software. “It is actually less expensive than Ellucian and works better,” he said. “This is a tool that will help us.”
“In the long run, we’ll be doing an upgrade for less money,” Johnson said.
Contracts, vans and more
In other business, the board approved the purchase of three Chevrolet express vans from Marmie Chevrolet for $139,500; faculty contract renewals; and an updated strategic plan for the college.
There was one executive session for 15 minutes to discuss the performance of an employee.
There was another executive session for 45 minutes at the end of the meeting “to discuss financial affairs of a partnership pursuant to data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships.” This was the third month in which trustees met in executive session for this purpose, including Garstecki and Dean in the conversation. No action was taken after the discussion.
During the meeting, the board also heard a monitoring report on Barton’s efforts to meet regional workforce needs, and it recognized PTK honorees from the Barton campus. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is an international college honor society. Garstecki and Chairman Johnson attended the PTK recognition in Topeka last Friday. Barton student Paige Mink was recognized as a member of the PTK All-Kansas Academic Team and was also recognized as a Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver member.
