STATE REVIEWING COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING

Community colleges are opening the doors of higher education to hundreds of thousands of Texans.  Over the past two years, Texas community college enrollment has grown by 70,000 students to a total record enrollment last fall of 509,201 students. Nearly every college in the state has reported continued record enrollment this spring. 

That’s good news for the state. Students who are pursuing transfer and technical programs at community colleges today ensure that Texas has an educated work force tomorrow.  Community colleges work for Texas by stimulating the economy, leveraging taxpayer dollars, generating return of government investments and increasing the earning power of individuals.  

A recent study commissioned by the Texas Association of Community Colleges and The Houston Endowment confirms that: 

• For every $1 invested, community colleges return $18 to the state economy, including $3 in tax revenue. 

• Community colleges have a $13.1 billion annual impact on the state economy, accounting for 350,000 jobs and a savings of $276 million in health and public safety costs. Panola College adds $ 14.8 million to the area’s economy each year. 

•Students enjoy an attractive 28 percent rate of return on their Panola College educational investment, and recover all costs (including wages foregone while attending Panola College) in 5.4 years.  

As our elected officials in Austin have gone through the difficult process of developing a state budget, two different plans have emerged.  

Under the leadership of Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, the Texas Senate has found a way to reduce the damage done to community colleges in the appropriations process.  

The Senate bill recognizes the growing momentum by recommending $1.5 billion for community colleges, limiting the appropriation reduction to somewhere between 8.6 and 12.5 percent of what was allocated during the last funding cycle. The Senate recommendation is $90 million above the level in the House appropriation bill. 

The appropriation recommended by the Senate will help community college districts continue to:

• “Close the Gaps” by providing an affordable higher education to more than 500,000 students each year, including 78 percent of all minority college students in Texas.

Enrollment at Panola College increased 19.7 percent in the past year. The diversity of the student body reflects the demographics of the community.  Almost nineteen percent of the student body is African-American; 2.84 percent , Hispanic; 0.85 percent, Asian; 0.36 percent, American Indian and 0.42 percent, other. 

•Keep programs and classes open, enabling students to get the courses they need to enter the workforce. Fewer classes were offered this summer and if further reductions are made in state appropriations, Panola College could be forced to cut classes.  

• Respond quickly to local needs, including work force training for economic development initiatives. Panola College also provides customized continuing education training for law enforcement, medical personnel, manufacturing and other businesses.  

• Ensure that Texas has an educated work force when companies look to our state for relocation and expansion. 

A Conference Committee comprised of five members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives is now reviewing differences in the Appropriations Bill. As the deliberations continue, we encourage members to adopt the Senate version of HB1 for community college funding.  

Dr. Gregory Powell, President
Panola College