Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 31, 2021)
EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 31, 2021 BMCC remains committed to students By Dr. Connie Green, Interim President, Blue Mountain Community College In 1962, our communi- ty took on the courageous challenge of opening one of the first community col- leges in Oregon. In the nearly 60 years since Blue Mountain Community Col- lege (BMCC) first opened its doors and began serv- ing students, much has changed. The college has celebrated triumphs and weathered challenges. The past year has brought about a particularly challenging time for our faculty and staff, students, and the com- munities we serve. BMCC is working to address the issues that most rural community colleges in 2021 face: enrollment decline, budget challenges, poverty and COVID-limit- ed contact that has resulted in decreased connections to high schools, universities and businesses. Despite these challenges, and what you may have read else- where, BMCC is commit- ted to being your college and meeting the needs of the communities we serve in Umatilla, Morrow and Baker counties. Failing you is not an option. As the interim presi- dent at BMCC, my agree- ment with the Board of Education is to address these issues openly, and with the campus team and our community partners working together to create a stable two-year budget that will provide predictable and stable learning oppor- tunities. This step will ensure BMCC’s programs and services to our students and partners are strong and vibrant. In doing so, we will also become flexible and nimble to ensure the connections and the results increase as we all work together to support commu- nities and individuals that thrive in eastern Oregon. So, yes, BMCC is expe- riencing significant transi- tion and change to meet the current reality. The college will begin a search for a new president. The intent is to not pass on current budget challenges for a new president to handle. The college and its Board of Education recognize that for BMCC to continue to meet the evolving needs of its students and communi- ties, it, too, must adapt. That means BMCC will change how we are organized, how we operate and how we partner. This can be a scary endeavor. It can also be an op- portunity. BMCC has an oppor- tunity to renew its commit- ment to students and the community while review- ing its internal organization and structure, and right-siz- ing. It has an opportunity to serve students in new ways in a post-pandemic era that will see our economy in recovery and our local industries adapting to the challenges of the past year. So how did BMCC end up in its current financial challenge? The answer is multi-pronged. Like most community colleges across the country, BMCC has experienced enrollment decline for the past several years. This was exacerbated by the pandem- ic over the past year, which forced us into virtual learn- ing, and became a major challenge for the hands-on Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Since community colleges rely on enrollment for tuition revenue and state fund- ing, fewer students mean less revenue. The prima- ry sources of funding for Oregon’s 17 community colleges come from three revenue sources. In 2019- 2020, the College received 31.03 percent from state funding, 32.38 percent from student tuition and fees, and 36.59 percent from local property tax revenue. Many community col- leges, including BMCC, have had to raise tuition to help cover costs. BMCC has also taken steps to re- duce its expenses over the past year, reducing nearly $2 million for the 2020- 2021 budget. These reduc- tions were in materials and services and staff develop- ment, as well as a reduction of 24 positions. Last year had difficult decisions. The intent of the board is for the college to make any additional reductions for the 2021-2022 budget so that the expenditures and revenues balance and the college is “right-sized” for the future. How does BMCC do this? Through inclusive conversations with facul- ty, staff, students and the Dr. Emily Jack accepts MCHD offer Dr. Emily (Thompson) Jack has accepted the offer made by the Morrow Coun- ty Health District Board for employment in the district, MCHD Administrator Ryan Fowler told the board at their regular meeting Mon- day night in Boardman. The MCHD contract with Jack includes a stag- gered compensation pack- age per hour, depending on years in the physician’s specialty and in which ca- pacity the doctor is serving, such as clinic only-$108 to $128 per hour, emergency department and clinic from $123-$143 per hour; ER on call-$75; ER Patients-$75; hospital patients $108- $128 per hour; procedures, $108-$128 per hour; and physician assistant super- visions-$200 per month base for each PA supervised plus $90 per hour of super- vision for each PA being supervised to be tracked in bi-weekly timesheet (chart review). The agreement includes a sign-on bonus of $20,000 upon signing the agreement and an additional $20,000 on the first day of work within the district for a total of $40,000. If the physician does not start employment as scheduled, the physician will repay all amounts paid by the district by Sept. 30, 2022. For each year, the phy- sician is granted 24 days paid vacation, six days paid sick leave, 10 days for con- tinuing medical education and is eligible for payment of district recognized holi- days, plus up to $10,000 for the reimbursement of doc- umented moving expenses. The board subsequent- ly approved the contract with Dr. Jack, commencing no later than September 30, 2022 and continuing through September 30, 2025 unless either party gives 120 days’ notice of termination or resignation. A three-year renewal of the agreement may be available to the physician if the dis- trict does not provide notice of termination. Concerning the search for another physician, “Pa- cific Companies ruled out the previous candidate that they had identified,” said Fowler. Pacific Companies earlier had two candidates, but that was narrowed down to one. Fowler reported that Boardman Fire and Res- cue District had proposed splitting the ambulance service, which is operated by Morrow County Health District so that Boardman Fire would operate the ser- vice in Boardman and Ir- rigon. “After a productive work session with county commissioners, we believe it is in the best interest of Morrow County to retain control and ownership of the ambulance service to improve services,” he re- ported. Boardman Rural Fire Protection District had just recently changed its name to “Boardman Fire and Rescue District.” Fowler reported that he had communicated with Heppner attorney Bill Kuhn concerning the property transfer in Irrigon to allow space to build the new Irri- gon Ambulance building. He said that Kuhn assured him that he was “within community. BMCC has already begun intensive work internally, reviewing department budgets, orga- nizational structures and potential revenue options. Nothing is off the table for discussion as we review budgets and options. Now, a discussion does not necessarily mean all things change. A discussion means we learn, listen and consider implications so that we can make informed decisions moving forward. We need a structural organi- zation, plan and budget that is sustainable and provides students and the community with college programs and services that are stable and predictable, as well as flex- ible and nimble. While this process will be challenging – and even heart-breaking – for many, BMCC’s faculty and staff are resilient. They have weathered past storms, and each time the college comes out stronger. With these impending changes, there remains one constant: BMCC is com- mitted to the students and communities it serves. Our administration, faculty, staff and Board of Education are committed to strengthen- ing BMCC so that it can thrive and be the affordable, high-quality educational option for eastern Oregon. We are committed to work- ing with local industries to put eastern Oregonians back to work and reinvig- orate our local economy. We are committed to being “Students First.” And, just like when we first opened our doors in 1962, we are committed at BMCC to you – our community. Fact Sheet Residential Burn Barrels: A Source of Toxic Pollution How does burning household waste produce toxic air pollution? Burn barrels are inefficient and polluting; they produce low temperature fires that receive very little oxygen. They also produce a lot of smoke (finely divided particulate matter) and many toxic substances. Virtually all of the pollutants are released into the air close to ground level, where they are easily inhaled. cans, aluminum, newspaper, cardboard, office paper, glass, plastic containers and used oil. Garbage pickup service – Check with your local municipality. Self- haul – For do-it-yourself types, it is cheaper to haul trash to a permitted landfill or transfer site. What materials can be burned? Untreated wood, paper and natural vegetative materials can be safely burned. Burning in burn barrels is considered “open burning” The majority of pollutants emitted from burning household wastes in a burn barrel (or other types of open burning) are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, very small breathable particles and nitrogen oxides. However, smaller amounts of more poisonous chemicals are also released into the air when household waste is burned. These include benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, dioxins and furans. These toxic chemicals are carried deep into the lungs, attached to fine particles. There, they embed into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream. Many cities have banned burn barrels, or open burning altogether, including Brookings, Bandon, Florence, Medford, Jacksonville, Talent, and Salem/Keizer. AT 5PM Pendleton 800 SE Emigrant Ave Suite 330 Pendleton, OR 97801 541-276-4063 Asbestos Asphalt Auto parts (including frames) Dead animals Plastic and rubber products Tires Waste oil, petroleum materials Wet garbage and food waste Material creating dense smoke or noxious odors. The Dalles 400 E Scenic Drive Suite 307 The Dalles, OR 97058 541-298-7255 Salem 4026 Fairview Industrial Drive SE Salem , OR 97302 503-378-8240 Burning prohibited materials can result in serious fines. For more information on Oregon’s open burning rules and recycling options, contact DEQ. Complaints Please call your local fire department to report an open burning complaint. You may also contact DEQ’s complaint hotline at 888-997- 7888 or submit a complaint online at https://www.oregon.gov/deq/Get- Involved/Pages/File-Pollution-Complaint.aspx • SOUTH-END STATION, HWY 74 HEPPNER/LEXINGTON HWY, LEXINGTON • NORTH-END STATION, 69900 FRONTAGE LANE, BOARDMAN, OR Este sitio no acepta North and South Transfer Stations DO NOT Estos artículos: Accept: Baterías de plomo ácido Lead-acid Batteries Amianto Asbestos Animales muertos Dead Animals Residuos de aguas residuales Sewage Waste or sludge Quimicos Chemicals Explosivos Explosives Barriles Open Burn Open Burn barrels Materiales peligrosos Hazardous Materials Automobile bodies MONDAYS Portland 700 NE Multnomah St. Suite 600 Portland, OR 97232 Phone: 503-229-5696 800-452-4011 Fax: 503-229-6762 -approved a three-year expenditure from Veloci- tyEHS, Chicago, for an HQ account for $5,000 for year one, $5,100 for year two and $5,200 for year three. -approved a flexi- ble agreement with im- pact!Communications for newsletter development, design and production ser- vices, including social me- dia, website updates, bro- chures, signs and banners, development and distribu- tion of press releases, with the community newsletter prices at $8,500 per edition, a monthly communications/ design support at $5,165 and training with an unde- termined fee. -approved an agree- ment for technical services with Incyte Pathology, PS, to provide a technical su- pervisor responsible for assisting Pioneer Memo- rial Hospital in accessing regulatory compliance in its high or moderate com- plexity laboratory. -approved credentials for two Providence pro- viders. -received the following report for February: Pioneer Memorial Hospital had three in-patient admissions, six swing bed admissions, 11 admissions for obser- vation, one admission for hospital respite, 614 total outpatients, 50 emergency room encounters, 1,541 lab tests, 80 x-ray/ultra- sound tests, 31 CT scans, two MRI scans, 24 EKG tests, two lower endosco- py procedures, two upper endoscopy procedures, 24 respiratory therapy proce- dures; pharmacy had 2,669 drug doses for $93,980 in drug revenue. -received the following clinic reports: Pioneer Me- morial Clinic in Heppner had 356 patient visits, with 12 new patients, 20 seen by a nurse, 16 no-shows; Irrigon Clinic had 349 pa- tient visits, with six new patients; Ione Community Clinic had 41 patient visits, 29 seen by a nurse and zero no-shows. -received the following Home Health & Hospice reports: Home Health had 169 patient visits; Hospice had two admissions and three deaths. -received the following ambulance reports: Hep- pner Ambulance had 23 page-outs with 21 trans- ports for $38,295 in reve- nue; Boardman Ambulance had 41 page-outs with 19 transports for $37,716 in revenue; Irrigon Ambu- lance had 24 page-outs and 13 transports for $21,441 in revenue; Ione Ambulance had one page-out, with no transports; there were seven life flights. -held an executive ses- sion following the regular meeting. Bend 475 NE Bellevue Drive Suite 110 Bend, OR 97701 541-388-6146 Burning the following materials is illegal anytime, anywhere in Oregon: DEADLINE: two weeks of having all the paperwork completed.” In other business, the board: -learned from Fowler that the district has received inquiries from two qualified candidates for the Chief Nursing Officer position following the recent res- ignation of current CNO Jamie Houck, R.N. He said that he hoped to fill the position quickly to “give Ja- mie an opportunity to work with the selected candidate prior to her departure.” -received the February profit and loss statement which showed a $294,194 loss for the month with $1,071, 642 in gross pa- tient revenue: less $16,368 for bad debts, $243,281 in contractual and other ad- justments, plus $185,460 in tax revenue and $5,127 in other operating revenue for $$1,002,569 in total operat- ing revenue, $1,360,746 in total operating expenses, a $63,983 non-operating gain for the $294,194 loss. -approved an expen- diture of $154,000 for 11 hospital beds from Stryker Medical, Chicago, Ill. Chief Financial Officer Nicole Mahoney noted to the board that the purchase of the beds was not budgeted but will be paid for with COVID monies. According to the Stryker invoice, the district saved $65,017.22. Stryker’s original fee would have been $219,017.22-- $202,375.91 for the beds, $14,166.31 for freight, and $2,475 for disposal of the old beds for $219,017.22. -approved an invoice and budget expenditure for $32,787.13 ($27,322.61 in matching funds and $5,464.52 for an adminis- trative fee) from the Oregon Office of Rural Health for the Oregon Partnership State Loan Repayment Pro- gram for matching funds for employment of Katie Mencos. “This is a tremen- dous tool for us,” said board Chair John Murray, noting the benefit of providing health care professionals in underserved areas. -approved a quote from Patriot Building & Grounds Maintenance for cleaning of the Irrigon Medical Clin- ic for $23,844 annually. Currently the staff does the cleaning, but the board concurred that “it needs professional cleaning.” Pa- triot was the only bidder. -approved a mainte- nance service agreement from Turn-Key Medical, Inc. for parts and labor for software at $9,200 per month for a total of $36,800. MCHD’s current contract with Turn-Key ex- pires on January 24, 2022. “We want to lock in at these prices,” Mahoney suggest- ed, and the board approved the expenditure. Medford 221 Stewart Avenue Suite 201 Medford, OR 97501 541-776-6010 www.oregon.gov/DEQ DEQ is a leader in restoring, maintaining and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land and water. UEC is looking for exceptional people to join our team! Visit our website: ABOUT/CAREERS for full job descriptions and open positions. www.UmatillaElectric.com Morrow County Public Works 541-989-9500 visit: https:// www.co.morrow.or.us/ Hermiston Office Boardman Office 750 W. Elm Ave. Hermiston, OR 97838 (541) 567-6414 400 N.E. Eldrige Drive Boardman, OR 97818 (541) 481-2220
