Regents approve college budget

 Clarendon College Regents adopted a $9.3 million budget following a public hearing last week.

The budget, which takes effect September 1, is only slightly higher than the current budget, CC Dean of Administrative Services Annette Ferguson said.

The budget anticipates state funding of nearly $3 million, income from student tuition and fees of $4.1 million, and other revenue from grants, contracts, and interest.

Ad valorem taxes from Donley County make up $417,500 of the college’s revenue, which is used for operations of the physical campus.

Regents adopted the effective tax rate for Donley County of $0.222732, which will bring in virtually the same revenue as last year. County commissioners in both Gray and Childress counties have ratified the five-cents per $100 valuation maintenance tax supporting those centers.

In other college business, it was reported that the college had received seven completed applications in the search to replace President Phil Shirley, who is retiring December 31. The priority deadline for applications was extended to September 1, and members of the presidential search committee have already begun looking at the applications.

Regents approved changes to the policy manual and the personnel and student handbooks for 2013-2014.

President Shirley reported the hiring of Fred Gray and Lisa Bilbrey as part time library assistants and tutors, and the board ratified those hirings.

College officials discussed long-range plans to replace CC’s fleet of buses and automobiles over the next seven years at an expected cost of more than $900,000. Regents approved earmarking a certificate of deposit with a balance of about $282,000 to be used for the purpose of vehicle replacement.

CC Vice President Ray Jaramillo reported that the college’s application to start a Registered Nursing program had been approved by the college’s accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, and now is awaiting approval by the state board of nursing.

Jaramillo also reported that the LVN program will be back in Clarendon this fall and already has 13 students enrolled.