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Board announces 2017 budget MEAGHAN MORTON Executive Editor Most of the 20 spectators in the room at August’s KC Board meeting were waiting on the proposal of the new fiscal year budget. Dr. Brenda Kays presented her first budget as college president by stating, “We are living within our means. This budget will allow us to stay true to our mission.” Taxes were not increased and there will be no mid-year tuition rise; consequently, instructor salaries will not be raised. “No tax increase is pretty much an impossible task,” said Joe Carrington, board trustee. Trustees Larry Woodfin and Brian Nutt also expressed their appreciation for the new president’s diligence. One of Dr. Kays' first acts as president was to create a strategic plan that would guide the college and create progress. The priorities include: Improve student learning and success; enhance college resources to adequately support student learning and success; provide students with safe, wellmaintained and accessible environments
that foster student achievement and engagement; and provide instructional programming that enables students to achieve marketable credentials that provide a living wage by focusing and aligning workforce curriculum with service area standards and needs. “The strategic plan sets a road map for the next three years,” Kays said. “It isn’t enough to just talk the talk; you have to walk the walk.” Much of the budget was centered around this plan. “We’ve reallocated our dollars to reflect the mission of the institution, our priorities and our goals,” Kays added. Over the summer break KC was designated as a Leader College by the Achieving the Dream Foundation. This recognition was based on developmental math completion when the department introduced Modular Math. Completion of developmental math classes rose across the board in all groups including gender, ethnicity and See BOARD MEETING, Page 3
Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
KC President, Dr. Brenda Kays, answers questions for Gwendolyn Boyd and Mary Runnels, mothers of new fall students, at a crowded late registration on Tuesday, Aug. 16.
The Flare
Monday, August 22, 2016 Vol. 80 No. 1 Serving Kilgore College since 1936
Library begins new chapter ‘Party on
the Plaza’ planned for public LEAH BRYCE Page Editor
Tina Marie Reed / THE FLARE
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enovations to the Randolph C. Watson Library are complete at the start of the fall semester. New additions include lounge area and coffee shop.
LIBRARY HOURS MONDAY - THURSDAY 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. FRIDAY 7:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. SUNDAY 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Free food, drinks and prizes await all those who want to “Party on the Plaza” at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 23, at KC. The event at the recently dedicated Mike Miller Plaza, will join forces from Baptist Student Ministry, Christian Campus Center, the Wesley Foundation and KC Student Activities department. It is open to all students, faculty and family members. Illusionist/comedian Jared Hall and Christian rap artist DJ Ced Enough will perform, with Raising Cane’s and Chick-Fil-A providing food. The back-to-school bash is the brainchild of Jaymi Blankenship, BSM director. When he came here two years ago, he noticed there was no welcoming party to ring in the new academic year. “My heart kind of broke and I started entertaining the idea of building a positive first impression for the students as they got here,” Blankenship said. “That is kind of the heartbeat for Party in the Plaza, to mesh the community and school together, so they have a great first impression and a great college experience.” Campus clubs and organizations will join community groups to represent almost 50 booths. Guests can register to win an array of prizes ranging from IF YOU GO iTunes gift cards to flat screen WHO: Jared Hall, TVs and mini comedian/illusionist; Ced Enough, Christian refrigerators. This is one Hip-Hop Artist; about 50 of the few campus and community events that the organizations three campus WHAT: Block Party in m i n i s t r i e s Mike Miller Plaza, KC c o o r d i n a t e campus together with WHEN: 6-8:30 p.m. each providing Tuesday, Aug. 23 v a r i o u s provisions and connections from their own background to add to the event. “We wanted not only to be a ministry from us to the students, but also to the school,” Blankenship said. “I think that every student who comes will just have a great, positive impression,” Blankenship said. “Whether they’re a returning student or a student for the first time, they have the impression, the first week of school, that this is going to be a great year — that they are truly blessed to be in a great environment, with people who are going to love on them and encourage them. Hopefully to where students can really sprout their roots and grow.” This year’s event will also feature a party tent to help with the Texas heat. Due to the success of last year’s event featuring Derek Minor, no school events will be taking place at the same time (with the exception of Tuesday evening classes). Further proof that this event enjoys the support of the college came when Shalie Day, assistant director of student life, sent out a plea to club sponsors to consider looking at this event as a possible organization fair. “The Back-to-School Bash is family friendly and we encourage you to bring your family and have a good time,” Day said. Blankenship believes this event will continue to grow in the years to come.