By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The six-year relationship between the city of Hays and NCKTech College is improving.
NCKTech president Eric Burks presented his annual report during the Thursday night city commission work session about operation of the NCKTech Big Creek Technical Training Center. The Center is housed at 101 S. Main Street in cooperation with the city of Hays.
“I almost didn’t include this because I really think these issues have been resolved,” Burks said, “but communication can always improve, so I left it there, and I really believe it’s improved at all levels.”
In exchange for utilizing the city-owned building, NCKTech, along with its students, is required to complete some projects for the city.
City Manager Toby Dougherty provides annual project lists to the college, which come from the city departments.
“We now know there is not an urgency behind these projects, and yet there is a need for them,” Burks said.
The list is reviewed by NCKTech instructors who help select the projects they think their students can handle successfully and do a good job.
“So I think the outcomes and expectations (by the city) are much more clear.”
Instructors work with department chairmen to make sure the timelines will work with other assigned work the students have. Together they figure out how the city’s projects can come to fruition.
“It is important, and I think this has been key, that (city) projects fit within the students’ skill level so we’re not taking them with more than they can handle. I really think that’s been the key overall to this being a more successful relationship,” Burks told commissioners.
NCKTech carpentry student projects completed for the city of Hays include six cedar kiosks with Plexiglass fronts for the Parks Department.
Electrical Technology students this semester will be upgrading the lighting in one room of the Public Works building and moving a disconnect for a piece of equipment. They also plan to upgrade the lighting in the conference room at the Hays Regional Airport.
The Plumbing, Heating and Air-Conditioning (PHAC) students are currently working on the air conditioning system in the concession stand at Larks Park. Next, they will be retrofitting city buildings to low-flow toilets and urinals.
Commissioners commended Burks and new campus dean Sandy Gottschalk for “improved leadership” at NCKTech. Mayor Eber Phelps also thanked the college for participating in last fall’s “Core2Campus” event for the first time.
NCKTech also has a college in Beloit.