Monday, October 26, 2009

The Florida Keys Community College board has given Student Suites permission to design and seek financing for the new dorms on the Stock Island campus, according to a resolution on today's agenda.

The board won't sign a construction contract, however, until it sees the details and Student Suites presents its funding model, according to John Kehoe, the college's vice president of financial and administrative services.

"It's not a done deal on the college's part if Student Suites can't get bond funding for the project," Kehoe said.

Today the board also will interview three candidates to serve as interim president: Larry Tyree, Kathie Sigler and Lawrence D. Spraggs. The two-hour sessions, which are open to the public, will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., counting an hour off for lunch, Kehoe said.

A final hiring decision will be announced at the 5:30 p.m. meeting, Kehoe said.

Once a finalist is chosen, board attorney Buck Devane will negotiate a salary, perks and starting date, Kehoe said.

"The salary will have to be negotiated before the person comes aboard," he said.

Though the state Department of Education publishes salary ranges for some school officials, "It's up to the board how much it pays the president," Devane said.

The board also will review plans for revamping grievance procedures and other ways to improve communication between faculty, staff, students and trustees.

jguerra@keysnews.com