BC3 board discusses public safety programs, lowers dual enrollment tuition
BUTLER TWP — The Butler County Community College board of trustees approved a resolution to refurbish the public safety burn building Wednesday, Jan. 15, and discussed public safety operations on campus.
The expected cost to refurbish is $76,494 in total, but the Butler County Fire Chiefs Association approved $30,000 of assistance toward the project.
Butler County Commissioner Kim Geyer, who serves as an ex officio member of the BC3 board, commented on the importance of BC3 offering public safety programs before the vote. She noted how people across the region use the public safety building to get their certifications.
“We are working with our municipalities here actively and engaging in a partnership with BC3,” Geyer said. “We’re very fortunate to have the public safety building we have here.”
Brian Opitz, executive director of operations, broke down the expenditure further for the board. He informed board members that the refurbish cost was routine and occurs every few years.
“The burn building is a very unique structure. The engineering that goes into it is one of a kind,” Opitz said. “That building has a 30 year life. We will far exceed that because of how we’re taking care of it.”
Opitz further explained the exact specifications of the building, offering insight into the need for frequent refurbishing.
“You’re putting combustibles in it, you’re heating up the building to 900 or 950 degrees,” Opitz said. “It deteriorates block, it deteriorates everything except the integral structure.”
Geyer said the school’s spending on public safety is a way to lead by example for the municipalities of the county.
“Other counties are asking us why we are doing this,” Geyer said. “We have to put things into action so that hopefully our municipalities will come along, and they are. It’s just taking time.”
The board unanimously approved the resolution.
The board also unanimously approved a resolution to lower tuition costs for the College Within the High School dual enrollment program. The program allows students to gain college credits while attending classes in their high school.
The new tuition costs go into effect starting in the Fall, and are set at $225 per 3-credit class for Butler County residents and $250 for out-of-county residents.
“It is an area where we are looking to grow, not only in numbers, but also in terms of how accessible and affordable we are,” interim BC3 president Megan Coval said. “We really want to be a competitive and good player in this marketplace.”
