John Wood Community College Board of Trustees approved a tentative $15,539,874 balanced budget for the next fiscal year during its regular meeting Wednesday, June 12.
Although the budget is $551,592 higher than last year, it does not include an increase in tuition or institutional fees for in-district, out-of-district and online instruction. This is the third straight year JWCC has frozen tuition for students.
In addition to the tuition freeze, the budget increase is based on strategic planning investments, enrollment initiatives and College contractual obligations.
More than a dozen enrollment initiatives are part of the 2020 proposed budget, including the continuation of the Missouri Plus Scholarship to attract students into career and technical programs and efforts to boost enrollment in JWCC health sciences programs.
“Our board continues to balance its conservative approach with progressive investments in strategic initiatives,” Michael Elbe, JWCC president said. “Holding the line on tuition as much as we can should help more students access higher education at an exceptional value. Funding plans to boost enrollment, especially in programs that lead to key workforce sectors, will help us experience some growth in a very challenging environment.”
Increased revenues are based on a projected 42,400 credit hours, which is 250 more than the current year’s budgeted amount, flat state funding and property taxes.
The 2020 budget will remain on display for 30 days for public review. The budget will be formally adopted during the July Board meeting.
In other business, the Board:
Accepted a $12,000 grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education to fund a portion of student internships.
Approved $6.4 million level for the School Treasurer’s Bond with The Hartford through the Illinois Community College Risk Management Consortium.
Approved $36,606.29 in tuition and fees, bookstore and miscellaneous write-offs from the prior 18 months to two-year period. The amount is a 10-year low and $11,987.14 less than the previous year due to retention efforts instituted by personnel in the College’s financial aid and business offices. JWCC will continue to seek payment on write-offs through a collection service.
Approved a consortium agreement between John Wood Community College and Moberly Area Community College to provide additional shared online courses.
Authorized entry into a one-year sublease agreement with the University of Illinois Extension for space within JWCC’s Mt. Sterling Education Center. The agreement contains two successive and one-year automatic renewal options.
Approved a Resource Allocation Management Plan (RAMP) document submission to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) to expand JWCC’s Workforce Development Center (WDC). A RAMP document must be filed annually for JWCC capital projects to be considered for State of Illinois matching funds. Trustees originally filed the WDC RAMP document in 2014.
Adopted a revision to Board Policy 524 regarding shift differentials of non-exempt employees.
Adoption a revision to Board Policy 310 regarding Unit of Credit to add a reference to Illinois Community College Board Administrative Rules Section 1501.
Adopted a revision to Board Policy 528 regarding employee service awards.
The next regular meeting of the JWCC Board of Trustees is July 17 in Quincy.
