Barton Community College’s board of trustees on Tuesday authorized leasing ground to Nex-Tech for $4,800 a year ($400 a month) for five years, so the company can put up a 250-foot self-supporting wireless communication tower east of the new Agriculture and Transportation Complex this year. The tower will be installed 150 feet from the north and east property line. Dean of Administration Mark Dean said this action is contingent on county and city of Great Bend zoning approvals and the contract will be reviewed by the college’s attorney first. The agreement can be renewed for additional five-year periods with approval of both parties. The college will have the opportunity to use space on the tower if the need arises.

There is already a 190-foot tower south of the campus and the college’s water tower has communications devices on it.

• The trustees also approved installation of a Salto electronic security system to replace traditional dorm room locks in the Residence Halls. Nex-Tech previously agreed to install a test system on a few doors selected by the Housing staff. The proposal approved Tuesday was discussed earlier this month at a board study session. The estimated cost is $217,120 and the locksets will be operational for fall occupancy.

Saltos Access Control System (software/hardware) installations are currently in use by the City of Great Bend, Great Bend USD 428 and Barton County, as well as other locations in Kansas.

Personnel

The trustees also approved renewing contracts for all administrators, management staff and head coaches. The hiring of three new employees was approved: Judith Knaple will be an instructor for the Adult Heathcare program, Marcia Williams will become a mathematics instructor, and KellyAnn Bonnell will become an instructor and coordinator of the Early, Elementary, and Secondary Education program.