Shackleford: RCC left state money on the table

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August 6, 2010

Larry Penkava Staff Writer The Randolph Guide Fri Aug 06, 2010, 09:56 AM EDT

ASHEBORO — Randolph Community College left state money on the table for the just-ended fiscal year because of a constantly-changing budget.

President Bob Shackleford told the board of trustees at their annual meeting that “we left money on the table that we would have spent with a normal budget.”

As it stands, RCC spent 95.67 percent of the final state allotment of $14,512,803, leaving $628,289.46 as a balance.

Shackleford said the state cut the budget by 3 percent, then another 5 percent. RCC responded by laying off 13 faculty and staff members and increasing work loads. Then when the governor “gave back 2 percent, we hired 12 faculty for the most critical needs.”

He said those hired were warned that funds for their salaries may not be available for the next school year.

“It was a moving target,” Shackleford said of the state budget. “We juggled all year to meet our needs. We were afraid in the changing scene to go out on a limb. We were conservative. But we learned more about how this game is played.”

Shackleford said he and his staff anticipate the coming year “to be even harder than this.”

As for the 2010-2011 budget, Randolph County has appropriated $2,328,000 for current expense, which is down from last year’s $2,400,000. Capital construction funds from the county total $485,000.

Shackleford said the county commissioners “cut everyone, including education, by 3 percent.” He said that because of the passage of the 1Ž4-cent sales tax referendum for RCC capital needs, the commissioners cut their requested $733,000 down to $500,000, then lopped off another 3 percent, leaving the $485,000.

“We took a hit but we’ll do what we’re able to do,” he said. “I look forward to using the referendum funds.”

The added 1Ž4-cent sales tax is estimated to produce about $2 million for RCC’s building projects.

On a more positive note, Shackleford said that RCC has for the second year in a row “attained successful performance standards.”

The school is one of 11, out of 58 in the N.C. Community College System, to meet and exceed all eight standards used by the state to measure performance. He said only four community colleges have met all the standards for two consecutive years.

“These are high standards,” said Shackleford. “I’m very proud of our faculty and staff.”

One of those staff members was recognized for his work in assisting students with their finances. Chad Williams, director of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs since August, 2005, “came in at a difficult time and steadily put things in place,” said Shackleford. “We don’t worry about what goes on in Financial Aid.”

Shackleford said applications and awards for financial aid are both up. The Financial Aid Department “is doing more and more and meeting the needs of more students,” he said.

Williams thanked the college “for supporting me … and the staff. It’s a blessing to be part of this college. I look forward to continue serving.”

In other business, three trustees were reappointed to four-year terms on the board. James P. Hill Jr. and Fred Meredith took their oaths while Alan Luria, who was out of town, is to be sworn in at the August meeting.

Shane Bryson, by virtue of being president of the Student Government Association, also took the oath.

James Campbell was re-elected board chairman, Mac Sherrill remains vice chairman and Shackleford continues as secretary. Legal counsel remains Alan Pugh, with Bob Wilhoit as secondary counsel.

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