CCC Trustees Approve Kitchen Remodel, Welding Expansion and New Campus Policies
February 23, 2026
The Board of Trustees of Colby Community College met Monday, February 16, in the Board Room of Thomas Hall, covering a full agenda that ranged from student presentations and policy updates to facility improvements and expanded programming inside Kansas correctional facilities.
The meeting opened with approval of the consent agenda, including minutes from the January 19 meeting and Resolution #7 as presented in the finance packet. All action items throughout the evening were approved unanimously by a 6-0 vote.
The board heard first from Lakota Downes, a sophomore from Council Grove enrolled in the beef production program and a member of the Trojan Rodeo Team. Downes, who competes in team roping and steer wrestling, spoke about the value of hands-on learning at CCC and how it influenced his decision to attend.
He originally planned to run cross country at a four-year institution but shifted course during his senior year of high school. After visiting Colby, he said the college’s applied, experiential approach stood out.
Downes also serves as a resident assistant, sharing insight into student life and ongoing access control challenges in residence halls. He described answering late-night calls from students locked out due to electronic access issues but said improvements are underway.
He is considering continuing his education in agricultural business, potentially through an online pathway, and credited CCC for helping clarify his goals.
Michaela Kaus, a 2013 CCC graduate who now leads criminal justice and political science offerings, provided an overview of program updates. She noted a significant increase in criminal justice majors over the past three years and described efforts to streamline course offerings while maintaining quality instruction.
The annual Criminal Justice Career Fair is scheduled for March 25 and will include approximately 20 to 25 employers from across Kansas and eastern Colorado. This year’s event will feature the state arson investigator from Colorado.
Couse emphasized the broad range of career paths within criminal justice, including victim services, corrections, and investigative roles.
Trustees approved the disposal of several obsolete or broken items, including a coagulation analyzer, portable air conditioning unit, and file cabinets. According to the agenda materials, the items had no remaining monetary value and will be disposed of via landfill or e-waste processes.
One of the largest action items of the night was approval of a contract not to exceed $574,000 with QMC, Inc. of Quinter for the Student Union Kitchen and Food/Beverage Serving Area Remodel.
The college issued the request for proposal twice, with QMC submitting the only formal bid. The project includes demolition, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, flooring, ceiling and wall systems, reinstallation of kitchen and beverage equipment, and optional installation of a porcelain tile Trojan logo. The timeline runs from May 18 through August 1, 2026, meeting the college’s deadline for completion before the fall semester.
College leadership noted that while mechanical and electrical allowances are included in the bid, actual invoiced amounts will determine final costs within the approved cap.
Trustees approved a new Lease Agreement Review and Approval Policy after acknowledging that the college previously lacked a formal process.
Under the new policy, all lease agreements — including those for equipment, vehicles, animals, or property — must be reviewed by the appropriate supervising vice president and approved either by the Board of Trustees or the president, depending on the cumulative financial obligation. Agreements under $20,000 may be approved by the president; larger commitments require board approval.
The board also approved updates to several existing policies:
Advert Waivers for Staff Positions: No changes were recommended.
Bicycles and Other Mobile Devices: Updates clarify restrictions on electric bikes and scooters, including prohibiting indoor charging and extension cord use. Motorized devices remain restricted from sidewalks and buildings.
Credit Hour Definition: Revisions align the policy more clearly with Kansas Board of Regents guidelines and federal standards, specifying minimum contact hours and engagement requirements for lecture, laboratory, internship, online, and hybrid courses.
Trustees approved a formal attendance policy for CCC courses delivered inside correctional facilities. The new policy outlines expectations for attendance, documentation requirements for absences, and withdrawal thresholds for excessive non-attendance.
Administrators said the policy strengthens academic integrity and supports the college’s partnership with Hutchinson and Norton correctional facilities. In another significant move, the board approved expanding the existing Welding Certificate program to an Associate Degree pathway at Hutchinson and Norton Correctional Facilities.
College leadership explained that tying the program to an associate degree allows compliance with Department of Education regulations and avoids substantially increased contact-hour requirements. The expansion also creates additional academic and workforce opportunities for incarcerated students and aligns with accreditation standards from the Higher Learning Commission and Kansas Board of Regents.
Trustees accepted the resignation of Head Rodeo Coach LeRoy Hays, who is pursuing other career opportunities. Athletic Director Kenny Hernandez will assume oversight of the program.
The board then entered into a 30-minute executive session, followed by an additional 20-minute session. No formal action was taken following closed session.
With all business completed, the meeting adjourned.
The next regular meeting of the Colby Community College Board of Trustees will be held in March.