The Libla Family Sports Complex is another step toward completion with the arrival of a "3,000-piece jigsaw puzzle."
During Three Rivers College's Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday afternoon, President Wesley Payne reported the bleachers arrived at the building and are progressing significantly in being assembled.
"It's an incredible number of pieces that go into 3,000 seats," he said.
With the frames being raised on the four sides, Payne estimated the bleachers would be complete in two weeks.
He also reported the first coat of finish was applied to the floor with at least three more to go and a top coat.
Since the road leading to the Libla Family Sports Complex was straightened, Payne said the paving company has applied the base and compacted it. Next, the college will pave the entry road and remainder of the parking lot. Timing will depend on weather.
"Progress is being made and we will keep you updated as we go," Payne told the board.
Planning stages for the Crisp Technology Center are underway as well.
According to Payne, the college will advertise for request for qualifications within the week. The next step will be to select someone to work with the college and its architect in the design and construction of the technology center.
Before Christmas, Payne said, a survey is planned to determine the size and scope of dirt work for the project.
MCCA Awards
TRC was awarded with three honors during the Missouri Community College Association Convention.
TRC's technology department was the winner of the statewide Technology Innovations Award.
"They worked hard and have done an incredible amount of projects that there was no single thing, but yet the scope of quality and efficiency of work they did was the basis of this award," Payne said.
Liz Deken was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Deken has since retired, but was able to attend the convention and accept her award.
Coach Gene Bess was also awarded with the Senior Service Award.
"This was a good year for Three Rivers as far as statewide awards," Payne said. "I'm always pleased when we are recognized by our peers as having done good work."
Financial Update
According to Chief Financial Officer Charlotte Eubank, tuition fees are slightly behind where the college was at this time last year, which has been reflected in enrollment numbers.
Expenses are also a bit below the previous fiscal year, Eubank said, to balance out the lower enrollments.
"Revenues minus expenses and our change in net position are just slightly ahead of where we were this time last fiscal year by about $150,000," she said.
At 33 percent into the fiscal year, Eubank said the largest portion of revenue comes from the fall and beginning of spring tuition and fees.
"It has bumped up a bit since last month's report, so that should continue to grow a little bit through January or so as we continue to enroll for winter and spring terms," she said.
As far as expenses, Eubank added most categories are also at the 33 percent level with the exception of auxiliary enterprises.
She reported auxiliary enterprises always spends a little ahead due to purchasing textbooks in advance for the next semesters.
"This is more than offset by auxiliary revenue side so this is not a concern," she said.
When comparing revenues minus expenses, Eubank reported the college is just a little below $4.5 million as of Oct. 31.
Audit
The board of trustees unanimously accepted the college's audit.
The college received a "clean" audit and continued to be a low-risk auditee.
"The auditors found that our financial statements fairly represent the financial position of the college," Eubank said. "They found no concerns."
The auditors are required to do additional testing of federal funding from which they also had no concerns, Eubank said.
"The college remains financially sound with careful budgetary controls and academic programming to meet the needs of our region's workforce," she said.
American Quarter Horse Association
The board approved a resolution allowing the college to sign registration papers for horses through the agricultural department.
According to Payne, there is an equine strand in the ag department that deals with breeding and rearing of horses.
To be able to register the offspring of the program, the college must join the American Quarter Horse Association.
Early Childhood Development
Early Childhood Development Coordinator Heather Cornman provided the board with an update on her program.
Currently, 64 students are enrolled in the program, which focuses on preparing students to be teachers at Head Start centers, early Head Start, private preschools or child care center directors.
Cornman reported she currently has 72 students enrolled in one of her early childhood development courses which includes some elementary education students.
Last spring, Cornman said her largest number of students graduated from the program in one semester at 10 graduates.
"We have a wait list for one course that is a prerequisite for all early childhood classes," she said. "This is the first time I have had a wait list for a course."
TRC Upcoming Events
Payne informed the board of the many events that will take place around the college over the next several weeks.
The touring performance of "All is Calm" will come to the Tinnin Fine Arts Center at 7 p.m. Dec. 6.
Tickets are $15 and the production is sponsored by Dental Arts Group.
"This is a major touring performance of live theater," Payne said. "This is a large cast, probably one of the most complex theater productions we have brought as part of the touring theater schedule."
An employee Christmas breakfast will be held at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 7.
Payne said all board members, employees, retirees, part-time, full-time and adjuncts are invited to attend.
Christmas break for TRC will be Dec. 19 through Jan. 1 followed by spring convocation Jan. 7
Next Meeting
The next TRC Board of Trustees meeting will be at noon Jan. 16, 2019 in the board room at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center.