Governors OK president’s new contract, break ground on the project

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Meeting in North Platte Wednesday, the Mid-Plains Community College board of governors broke ground on a major building project, approved a new three-year contract with the college president and agreed to sell a small parcel of land in McCook.

MPCC administrators and members of the board of governors conducted a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new $4.8 million expansion of the Health and Science Center in North Platte. The project is in response to the increasing demand for more nurses and health care professionals over the college’s 18-county area.

After a short executive session, the board approved the renewal of a three-year contract for MPCC President Ryan Purdy, which sets the annual salary at $260,000, representing a 4.5 percent increase over the 2021-22 contract year.

After an adjoining property owner expressed interest, the board agreed to authorize Purdy to sell approximately 3,613 square feet of real estate near 1015 Country Club Drive, for $750 with the buyer paying the cost of the sale including any survey costs. The board also authorized the President to take steps required to divide and sell the real estate generally described as the North Lot of the McCook Community College East Campus.

The board approved program reviews for the Auto Body Technology Program and the Automotive Technology Program, both to be forwarded to the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.

Receiving recognition as official student clubs were Minds Matter and The Light Company. Discussion on The Shield was postponed until the July 20 meeting.

The board approved a bid from HUB Insurance for the 2022-23 Athletic Accident and Catastrophic Insurance for $91,025, an a bid of $77,159.50 from First Wireless for digital radios.

Also approved:

 — the Nebraska Community College Insurance Trust allocation of contributions for the 2022-23 fiscal year of approximately $654,753.

— The Board approved the second and final reading of Policy 1000, “Scope, Mission, Values, and Legislated Priorities.”

 —The Board approved the resignation of Jane Hornung from the MPCC Facilities Corporation.

 —The Board approved the appointment of Louie Stithem to the MPCC Facilities Corporation Board.

 —The Board approved the sole source bid of $56,273 from Snell Services, Inc., of North Platte, for the removal of existing boilers in Brooks Hall and their replacement with hot water heaters.

 — Following the closed session, no action was taken on the sale on another parcel of real estate.

As the June meeting was canceled, the next meeting will be 6:30 p.m. July 20 in McCook.