The Neosho County Community College Board of Trustees approved personnel hires, curriculum changes, new workforce programs, and the purchase of a new athletic and activity bus during its regular meeting.
Among the personnel actions, trustees approved the hiring of Kari Roble as occupational therapy assistant instructor and fieldwork coordinator, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Heather Morin was hired as a nursing instructor at the Ottawa campus with a Jan. 12, 2026, start date. Trustees also accepted the resignation of Alayna Finuf as administrative assistant to the Vice President of Student Learning and approved her hiring as administrative assistant to the Director of Development, effective January 5, 2025.
Trustees recognized the Panther Volleyball Team for its appearance in the national tournament and the Men’s Soccer Team for its regular- season conference championship and national tournament appearance. The board also recognized outgoing trustee Martha McCoy for four years of service. Curriculum changes included updates to education and math workshops, alignment of several electronics technology courses with CompTIA certifications, the addition of a Comp-TIA Server+ course, and revisions to CIS and CSS program sheets. Trustees approved a new commercial driver’s license (CDL) program, including Class A entry-level driver training and behindthe- wheel courses, as the college moves toward offering the short-course program in the coming academic year. College president Dr. Brian Inbody said he was thrilled to be offering the program.
“We need truck drivers,” he said. “It is exciting, and we want to get it up and running as soon as possible.”
Inbody explained that the start-up costs of a CDL program have been prohibitive for the college, but a regional company approached them about donating some trucks to be used. Because it is a short program, it does not qualify for federal student aid such as Pell grants. However, Dr. Inbody said that there were opportunities through Kansas Works and other companies for students to get help with what can be a costly course to take.
Under old business, trustees approved updates to the college’s Required Notification of Pending Criminal Charges or Serious Driving Infractions policy. The revision clarifies employee notification requirements related to felony charges, sex offenses, and driving violations that could affect eligibility under the college’s vehicle insurance guidelines.
Trustees approved a request to write off $77,676.29 in delinquent student accounts receivable from July through December 2025. College officials emphasized that written-off balances remain documented on student accounts, holds remain in place, and collection efforts will continue.
The board approved a lease-purchase agreement for a 2026 Freightliner Megacoach 51-passenger bus from National Bus Sales of Tulsa, Oklahoma, at a cost of $332,982, financed over seven years.
College officials said the current minibus is nearly 11 years old, has approximately 140,000 miles, and has capacity and distance limitations. The larger bus will allow multiple teams to travel together, reduce reliance on charter buses and vans, and improve safety by limiting the need for employees to drive multiple vehicles.
The bus will include added safety and convenience features such as an air-ride co-pilot seat, grill guard, LED headlights, and onboard Wi-Fi. Funding will come from the vehicle fund and savings generated by reduced charter bus use.
The board entered an executive session related to real estate. No action was taken.
