Allen Community College trustees crossed some pricey items off of their “to-do” lists Tuesday.
The most significant expenditure — $2,335,745 — will provide a new student information systems program.
The Jenzabar, Inc. system offers a comprehensive, yet streamlined information system better equipped at data gathering, explained Cynthia Jacobson, vice president for student affairs.
She noted a team of faculty and administrators have spent the past six months exploring options, including sending out requests for proposals to three providers.
The Jenzabar system, which was favored already by most of the team members and other Allen faculty, was the less expensive of two bids.
The college will dip into its reserves to pay for the system, College President Bruce Moses noted.
IN ADDITION, trustees approved a $51,268 bid from DH Pace, of Wichita, to reconfigure the four entrances to the college gymnasium.
The issue, aside from the aging doors, is the gym floor is about 2 ½ inches higher than the connecting corridors, making accessibility an issue for handicap visitors.
Crews will extend concrete ramps to the two interior entrances, while also extending a sidewalk from the two exterior doors to make it easier to bring large pieces of equipment into the gymnasium, and to lessen congestion for crowds to file out of the building, explained Ryan Sigg, plant operations director.
The DH Pace bid was higher than a $40,325 bid from Humboldt’s Hofer and Hofer, but was still the preferred choice because crews can begin work on the doors immediately, in order to have the work done before the fall sports season begins in August.
Trustees also approved the purchase of a 16-foot mower from Machine Shed out of Iola for $24,457.82, after attempts to purchase a 20-foot mower from Keast Enterprises out of Henderson, Iowa, fell through.
Trustees in May approved the Keast mower buy in May, but the company failed to deliver the machine, Sigg said, and could offer no guarantees when one would be available. He expected a $22,000 refund this week.
IN OTHER budget news, Moses told trustees the college administrative team is putting the pieces together for ACC’s 2023-24 spending plan, which is due in September.
Even with the large expenditure for the student information system, the college’s ad valorem tax levy will decrease slightly, Moses said.
The college will schedule a budget hearing in August for final approval in September.
THE COLLEGE is looking at an enrollment decrease for the upcoming school year, Jacobson said.
