The Hutchinson Community College Board of Trustees approved several items at its August meeting.

With the 2025-26 academic year beginning next week, the Board was introduced to this year’s Resident Assistants (RA) Council.  The RA Council consists of 27 students and its focus is managing their dormitory floor as well as planning and implementing social and educational programming.

The Board approved the Master Agreement with the Hutchinson National Faculty Association for the 2025-26 year. The agreement includes a 2.5% increase on base salary and $20 per month increase for Board Benefits. A salary increase based on performance, market value and scope of responsibility, with the average increase not to exceed 2.5% and a $20 per month increase in the Board Benefit, was also approved for classified and administrative staff. In addition, the Board voted to increase the minimum wage for any full-time position to be no less than $15/hour.

Julie Blanton, Vice President of Finance and Operations, presented the College’s budget proposal at the hearing. The next step in the process will be a public hearing on September 11 with likely final action to follow.

The budget includes a mill levy set at 21.538, which is decreased from the year prior. Tuition is slated to increase by $3.00 per credit hour with no increase in fees. The $10.00 per credit hour reduction for Reno County residents remains in place.

The next meeting of the board will be on Thursday, September 11.  The meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. in the Shears Technology Center Justice Theater.  The public is invited to attend. Board meeting agendas and meeting information can be found at www.hutchcc.edu/boardmeetings.

Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) and Barton Community College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a new partnership aimed at expanding access to respiratory care education and addressing a growing workforce need in central Kansas.

Through this agreement, students from Barton will complete their general education requirements at Barton and then have the opportunity to transition into HutchCC’s Respiratory Care Program. The partnership was developed in response to an increased demand for respiratory care professionals in Barton’s service area, which includes nine regional hospitals.

"This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to meeting the healthcare workforce needs of our communities," said Dr. Tricia Paramore, President of Hutchinson Community College. "By working together, we are creating clearer pathways for students and helping ensure that Kansas hospitals have access to the skilled respiratory therapists they urgently need."

Dr. Marcus Garstecki, President of Barton Community College, echoed the value of the partnership: “We’ve seen a significant increase in the demand for respiratory care professionals across our service area. Partnering with HutchCC allows us to provide our students with a high-quality, accessible path into this critical field, while also supporting the healthcare systems in our region.”

The collaboration aligns with both institutions’ missions to provide affordable, accessible, and relevant education while serving the needs of Kansas communities.

For more information about the Respiratory Care Program, visit www.hutchcc.edu/rt.

Hutchinson Community College has been awarded a $708,965 FRAME (Fostering Residential Advancement through Mentoring and Education) Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce. The funding will support the construction of three new residential dwellings in Hutchinson, providing valuable hands-on learning opportunities for students while addressing the community’s affordable housing needs.

As part of the project, students in HutchCC’s and USD308’s Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy’s Construction Technology program will build a duplex in the 600 block of East Avenue A, gaining real-world experience in residential construction from foundation to finish. In addition, the college is partnering with Interfaith Housing and Community Services to construct a single-family, stand-alone home on 10th Avenue. Interfaith will employ Youth Apprentices associated with the Construction Technology program in the building of this home.

“These projects represent a win-win for our community,” said Dr. Tricia Paramore, President of Hutchinson Community College. “Our students are developing marketable, in-demand skills while contributing directly to Hutchinson’s housing development and revitalization efforts.”

The FRAME program is a statewide initiative designed to increase the supply of affordable housing across Kansas by fostering partnerships between educational institutions, nonprofit housing providers, and local communities. Other partners collaborating on this project are the City of Hutchinson, the Hutchinson Land Bank, the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, Joel Haag from Mann and Company Architects, Interfaith Housing, GAF Roofing, in addition to several local contractors.

“We’re proud to support Hutchinson Community College and its partners through the FRAME program,” said Kerri Falletti, Grassroots Strategy Developer at the Kansas Department of Commerce. “This grant not only helps build homes — it builds futures by equipping students with critical construction skills while strengthening communities across Kansas.”

Construction is expected to begin this fall, with completion slated for 2026.

Hutchinson Community College Cosmetology and Barbering will be hosting its annual Back to School Haircut Day on Monday, August 4 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the school’s center at 200 E. 3rd Ave., Hutchinson.

Children in pre-k through grade 12 are eligible for a free haircut to be performed by HutchCC cosmetology and barbering students and volunteer cosmetologists and barbers. No appointment is necessary; haircuts will be done on a first come, first served basis.

“This day is a highlight of the year for us and our students,” stated Alex Hass, HutchCC’s Cosmetology Program Coordinator. “We look forward to offering this each year and are excited to help those in our community prepare for the upcoming school year.”

For more information, or if you are a cosmetologist or barber interested in volunteering, contact Alex Hass at 620-669-4575 or email at hassa@hutchcc.edu.