College could see 25 percent hike in state dollars

By Bob Belcher

Thanks to increases in enrollment, and a 23.7 percent increase in contact hours with students generated since the last biennum, Navarro College will likely see a substantial increase in state funding when the state’s budget is approved in the coming weeks. That’s the word from Dr. Richard Sanchez, Navarro College district president, who gave the college’s board of trustees an update at the May board meeting Thursday.

The college is expected to receive an appropriation of $30,316,596 over the two-year state budget, up just over $6 million from the previous biennum, a 25 percent increase in state funding.

“That is due to our increases in contact hours,” explained Sanchez. “The only way we can increase our revenues is to raise taxes, and we don’t want to do that, or raise our tuition and fees, and we don’t want to do that.

“I have an excellent staff that has continued to grow our contact hours,” Sanchez said, resulting in the increased state funding.

Sanchez then told the board, jokingly, “and in the new budget, I’ve already spent it,” bringing laughter from the trustees. Trustees will get their first look at the proposed college budget for the coming year in July.

Sanchez also advised the board he was concerned there could be some “bad news” coming from Austin in possible legislation that would allow a person with a concealed handgun license to carry a concealed weapon on a college campus. The Texas House failed to pass the measure, but the Texas Senate did, and sent their measure back over to the House, where Sanchez says he hopes it will “die.”

“It appears they won’t have time (to consider it) and I hope they don’t,” Sanchez said. “Keep your fingers crossed.

“I believe very strongly that there is no room for guns in the classroom.”

Thursday was the first meeting for new trustees Dick Aldama and Buster Atkeisson. The two were elected on May 9 to fill the seats of Homer Wasson and Zane Stites, both who decided not to seek re-election to the board.

Trustee Lloyd Huffman was elected chairman of the board at Thursday’s meeting, replacing Wasson in that role. Named vice-chairman was Dr. James Price, and board member James Borkchum was elected secretary/treasurer.

Trustees will meet next in a special called meeting at noon May 28 to consider a bond issue. The meeting will be held in the Lone Star Room.

—————



Financial statements approved

Trustees approved the college’s financial statements as presented by Gettie Moreno, vice-president of finance and administration. “The college is in strong financial condition,” Moreno reported.



Bond issue tabled

Trustees tabled a measure that would have issued $4 million in revenue bonds for further discussion. A special meeting was called for noon on May 28 in the Lone Star Room for a discussion of the bond issue.



Request for qualifications approved

Trustees gave the go-ahead for the issuance of a Request for Qualifications for architectural drawings for a 25,000 square foot classroom building in Midlothian. Enrollment at the campus and its one building is now at 1,000, Dr. Richard Sanchez reported. The building was designed to hold 800 students. Sanchez said the college would like to begin construction this fall, with the new building available by Fall 2010. Sanchez said the addition should accommodate the college’s needs for space at Midlothian until 2014 or 2015.



Update on budget and planning

Trustees received an overview of the college’s continuous review process and timetable for the presentation and preparation of the 2009-2010 budget. The spending plan will be presented to trustees in a July workshop, with time for review and revision prior to its adoption.



Student handbook approved

Revisions to the Navarro College student handbook were approved by trustees after a presentation by Dr. Erik Zoellner, vice-president for student services. Among changes approved were an update to the college’s “zero tolerance policy” on drug use and abuse. Added to the language of the policy was the sentence “The length of suspension may vary based on the severity of the offense,” for violations of the drug-free policy.



WatchDog Alert System updated

Testing is continuing on a new outdoor siren and loudspeaker system on the Corsicana campus, designed to provide audible alarms and voice alerts in the event of a campus emergency, including severe weather warnings, “active shooter” scenarios or other urgent information. The sirens were tested in April, and modifications continue to bring the system to full operation.



Click here to e-mail Bob Belcher.

Click here to Soundoff on this story.