RELEASE DATE: February 16, 2007
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State Board approves NC Education Lottery scholarship allocation to assist more community college students
RALEIGH - “Finally, some good news about the lottery,” said State Board member Estell Lee during the Finance and Capital Needs Committee meeting of the State Board of Community Colleges this morning. Lee’s comments came as the committee gave preliminary approval to the plan to distribute the projected funds the North Carolina Community College System will receive in scholarship assistance from the North Carolina Education Lottery.
In the full Board meeting this afternoon, Kennon Briggs, Vice President for Business and Finance, told the members that the new funds will increase the number of students receiving state financial assistance and increase the amount of state assistance they will receive. Combined with existing Community College Grant Funds, more than $12.3 million will be awarded to eligible students to cover the cost of tuition, books, supplies and transportation expenses.
The total amount of state financial support a student can receive is tied to the amount of federal Pell Grant assistance they get. With the addition of Lottery funds, the maximum of state assistance has risen to $3,200, up from $2,500 last year. System Office staff also estimate more students will be eligible to receive assistance because the allowable contribution from the student’s family has also risen.
“This is unprecedented in terms of total support for our students,” said Briggs.
The State Board unanimously accepted the report on the repayment of state funds by Blue Ridge Community College that was prepared by Briggs and David Whitson, Chief Financial Officer for Blue Ridge. The report indicates that $100,381.43 will be repaid to the state in equal payments over three years. Each payment is due by June 30 of the year, beginning with 2007.
Briggs explained to the Board that the State Auditor generally requires repayment in one year. "This is a good deal for Blue Ridge," he said.
Briggs said the goal was not to adversely affect the college's ability to serve students. Neither state nor county funds may be used to repay the state funds that were improperly used to support intercollegiate athletics. The repaid money goes directly into the State General Fund. The NCCCS cannot use the funds in any way.
After the vote, Board member Dr. Stuart Fountain said that he hopes this "will bring closure to a long process."
The Board also voted to reinstate the pay raise that was withheld from Blue Ridge President David Sink until the issue was resolved. The action is retroactive to July 1, 2006 and totals $8,616.00 for the fiscal year.
The Board paid tribute to Briggs and members of his Business and Finance executive team for their exemplary service. The System Office underwent seven months of examination by the Office of the State Auditor in this first ever Fiscal Control Audit. At the end of the audit that looked at System Office management of state appropriations and how they are allocated to the 58 community colleges, no discrepancies or irregularities were discovered.
“We have the best fiscal staff in state government,” said Briggs as the Board members gave the team a loud ovation.
The Board also discussed the problem colleges are having implementing the Lateral Entry program that allows persons with baccalaureate degrees, in other fields, to enter the teaching profession. The program is designed to help ease the tremendous teacher shortage in North Carolina.
In order for a person to qualify for the community college Lateral Entry program, he or she must have held a bachelors degree for at least five years before undertaking the program of study; must hold at least a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; and must be employed as a teacher in a local school administrative unit.
System President Martin Lancaster told the Board that the restrictions are especially difficult for military personnel who want to enter the classroom after active duty. “There is no way for them to find a job in a school while they are in active duty,” he said. He told the Board there are plans to work to make changes in the present regulations.
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