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The Sharp Record - May 2010

The Sharp Record
Friends:
It’s amazing how time flies when you’re having fun! It has been a crazy few months at KU Medical Center, and I learn something new almost every hour. Not kidding. Did you know we have more than 90 researchers doing cancer research? And that’s just one disease area! Trying to navigate our specialties in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, PKD, and everything in between has been a steep learning curve, but one I have enjoyed discovering.
My multiple personalities converge… As a lobbyist for the American Cancer Society, I sat through hours of public comment at the Salina City Council meetings when Salina was the first city in Kansas to go smokefree. Then, as a legislator, I worked to move the statewide smoking ban through the KS House, to no avail. Finally this year, the legislature passed the ban and I was witness to a bill signing we were fortunate to host at KU Medical Center. It was a long journey, but what a breath of fresh air (literally!)
There’s no good place to insert this, but I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the passing of another Lenexa icon. Harold Green, husband of City Councilwoman Cindy Green, passed away suddenly in January at just 54. It was a tragedy on top of a tragedy. Harold was a staple at Lenexa festivals and other community events – a Lenexa business-owner and stranger to none. It wasn’t just his BBQ that made him fast friends with most – his easy smile and penchant for dry sarcasm always brought laughs. And then there were the infamous Letters to the Editor! It’s still so strange not to see him at every Chamber event. I imagine Harold, John Ramsey, and Jane Klein have likely started their own meetings “up there.” And I’m guessing there’s a round of beer and a fine Irish blessing.
Announcements
Personal Activities
Board Activities
HR Committee
Foundation Board
Where's Waldo
Kansas Quiz
Resources
  
Announcements
You know I cannot resist talking a little politics! In my last newsletter, I mentioned my KS House colleague, Kevin Yoder, had thrown his hat in the ring for the 3rd U.S. Congressional District as a Republican. Since then, there has been a lot of shuffling. Fmr. Sen. Nick Jordan has backed out of the Republican primary race and Congressman Dennis Moore’s wife, Stephene (watch the spelling, we Stephs tend to be particular about our spelling!) has jumped into the race on the Democrat side to fill her husband’s seat. This seat has been targeted by both national parties to keep or win, so hold onto your horses, we’ll have an exciting fall!
Also in my last newsletter, I mentioned Rep. Terrie Huntington would run to replace retiring Sen. David Wysong in the NE part of the county. Terrie won that seat (yeah!), thus opening up her House seat. Barbara Bollier, MD, a retired anesthesiologist (and KUMC alumna) ran for the seat in the precinct race and won. Congratulations to Rep. Bollier, she has already done yeoman’s work on the budget and standing up for Shawnee Mission schools.
Personal Activities
A few months ago, I was asked to join the Shawnee Mission Committee for Excellence, which is an advocacy group of community leaders to support policy alternatives that benefit Shawnee Mission schools. I am honored to be on this committee and look forward to our work as the potential for a new funding formula is discussed in Topeka over the summer.
Food Faves:
What do you think about adding a “social” aspect to the newsletter? I enjoy interacting with you through the newsletter, but it can be very impersonal. I don’t really get to know YOU, other than probably your political affiliation and where you live. Let’s start with an easy topic and one where I know you have an opinion – FOOD. Since Dan introduced me to foods beyond cereal, chips/salsa, and popcorn, we’ve become quite the foodies and I love to get recommendations on independently owned local eateries. I’m partial to KS spots, but will travel far and wide for good eats! In the next newsletter, I’ll include my favorites, yours, and even some of your comments. Please include the web link or physical address.
Asian:
Mexican:
Italian:
American Cuisine:
Deli/Bistro:
Pizza:
BBQ:
Other (what did I forget?):

Board Activities
Speaking of food, JCCC is well-known for its Culinary Arts Department and now we’re asking the community to put their money where their mouth is (pun intended). The Board of Trustees recently challenged the JCCC Foundation to fundraise $3 million toward a new Culinary & Hospitality Arts Institute (CHAI) building on the SW corner of the west entrance to the college. If the Foundation reaches their goal, the college has significant capital reserve funds that can only be spent on capital projects. We committed to spend down some of those funds to complete the remaining $7 million to fund the project.
  • The building will include a banquet facility for training hospitality professionals as well as a “theater kitchen” for the community to reserve for Iron Chef-style competitions and team building.

Sports: I cannot count the number of sports teams that have come before the Board to receive special recognition. None of that recognition has been simply for their wins on the field. Each team has achieved remarkable success in the classroom – multiple All-American scholar athletes, award-winning team grade point averages, and dozens of laudable individual academic awards. A lot of schools talk the talk of academic achievement for athletes, but our JCCC teams set the bar and walk the walk – or run, depending on the sport!

Debate teams are usually made up of some of the brightest students at any school. Given that, JCCC has some of the brightest students in the country. They are ranked #1 again this year among community college debate teams. That’s a big honor – but I’ll raise it one more: They are ranked 25th nationwide among ALL debate teams. That includes the Harvards, Stanfords, and Yales of the world. I think the KS legislature could use a few good JCCC alums!
HR Committee
We have spent a lot of time in this committee discussing a topic I dread every year in my own family – health benefits. It’s a good think we have a stellar benefits consulting firm on hand to help us navigate and translate everything into English. You know how I like to translate political “stuff” in my newsletter? I need someone to do that for me in the benefits and investments world.
  • The cost of health insurance benefits has increased about 8.5% (we’re pretty lucky, most companies are seeing hikes in the 15-17% range) this year and we are trying to figure out how to balance that increase with our commitments to faculty and staff.
  • Speaking of, faculty negotiations are currently underway for the new contract. This process has been draining on all those involved, but I am convinced we are close to a contract that expresses the Board’s long-term commitment to quality faculty and providing one of the best benefit packages of any community college across the country.
  • The goal all-along has been to avoid furloughs, and I think we will be able to do that for the upcoming contract year. Fiscal year 2011 is expected to be even worse than this year, but everyone is working hard to hold budgets in check.

Legal Counsel: Just before I came on the board, an Request for Proposals was sent out to bid for legal services. During the transition period from the old board to the new board, that bidding process expired. I have been working at each HR committee meeting, to ensure we do go out for bid for legal services and inquire on the status at every meeting. Currently, we are considering hiring an in-house legal counsel to manage the bulk of the legal work, which is focused on employment law. We will then be bidding out for the excess legal services required outside the expertise of whomever we hire. This will be a much smaller contract than our current needs. This process will begin following this year’s faculty contract negotiations.
Foundation Board
As I mentioned, the Board challenged the Foundation to fundraise $3 million to start the CHAI (all this talk and I’m craving some now). That challenge actually started with Former Sen. David Wysong, whose family foundation provided $750,000 toward a new culinary arts building. The Wysong Family Foundation gift got the ball rolling and I’m guessing there will be a yummy cannoli reserved for him at the opening – anticipated to be in 2012.
Where's Waldo?
  • Westwood Women’s Club: I spoke to their group a few months ago to provide a JCCC update as well as about some of the research and community programs at KU Medical Center.
  • Abdullah Shrine in Lenexa: Thank you to my neighbor, Daniel Clancy for inviting me to share a JCCC update with this group. It was a fun evening and vaguely familiar since my dad was in the Lodge in Garden City.
  • Kansas Society of Professional Engineers (KC chapter): The engineers were always the most involved trade (besides teachers!) when I was in Topeka and I appreciate their attention to how what the legislature does impacts their jobs every day and in the future.
  • Lakeview Voices: Thanks to Joan Markman for hosting me at Lakeview – what a great group! Very engaging Q & A about what’s going on at JCCC.
  • CLEAR: Kathy Kennedy graciously asked me to speak to the College Learning Experiences, Activities, and Resources certificate program last weekend. This program provides classroom activities to encourage lifelong learning for the developmentally disabled in our community. There are classes in yoga, cooking, art, music, culture, etc. It was a wonderful honor to speak to the students: http://www.jccc.edu/home/depts.php/5112
Kansas Quiz
Last Question: How many community colleges are in the State of Kansas?
Answer:  There are 19 community colleges in Kansas – Randy Holt of Overland Park is the winner!
New Question: Let’s do a question related to a recent Board of Trustees meeting:
Who was the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Johnson County Community College (technically Junior College at that time)?
 
Reply to this email to answer the question.  The first correct answer will win the prize (tickets to a Carlsen Center performance), and recognition with the correct answer in the next edition of the Sharp Record.
Resources
JCCC Board of Trustees meetings on video: http://video.jccc.edu/board.htm
Johnson County Election Office - www.jocoelection.org
 
Please do not hesitate to contact me about these or any other issues of interest to you.  I appreciate the opportunity to represent you on the Board of Trustees.
 
Stephanie Sharp
Trustee
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd
Overland Park, KS 66210
913-256-5862
 
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