CCC board approves operating budget

CLOVIS — The Clovis Community College Board of Trustees wasted no time on Thursday, quickly approving several financial items at a short meeting.

The board unanimously approved the proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2018-19.

The proposed budget includes an increase of $51,300 in state appropriations from last year and a 2 percent raise for full-time staff members, both of which were included in House Bill 2, approved by Gov. Susana Martinez last month.

The proposed 2018-19 budget is $17,074,550, down from last year’s approved budget of $18,987,103.

The difference is in large part due to the fact the proposed 2018-19 budget currently shows about $2 million less in capital outlay, but Chief Financial Officer Tom Drake said once the two budget adjustments are done in December 2018 and April 2019, the capital outlay budget will be more in line with the previous year.

The board also unanimously approved raises for part-time faculty as part of a separate action item.

Compensation for part-time faculty will increase from $585 per credit hour to $625 per credit hour, a 6.8 percent raise.

President Becky Rowley said the increase will allow the college to be more competitive in recruiting and retaining faculty.

The board also unanimously approved the second budget adjustment request for fiscal year 2017-18.

“It’s basically a realignment of our accounts so that our cash flows stay consistent with what we originally budgeted,” Rowley said.

The largest change was the budgeting of $2,691,81 for the energy performance contract project which will involve several energy-saving improvements at CCC.

Board Member Laura Leal was not present.

Also at Thursday’s meeting:

• The board unanimously approved the course catalog for the 2018-19 school year.

CCC added certificates of completion in nursing, physical therapist assistant and radiologic technology in order to get students on a degree path sooner.

“The research has shown that when a student comes to us, the minute that we put them on a degree plan they’re more apt to be successful and to continue and to persist,” Executive Vice President Robin Jones said.

Other changes included the addition of non-discrimination language to the catalog and the addition of certificates of achievement for two new courses, barbering and phlebotomy technician.

• Upward Bound Program Director Kellyann Weber provided an update to the board, an annual requirement for all of CCC’s grant-funded programs.

Upward Bound was first implemented at CCC in 2007 and is meant to prepare high school students who meet a certain criteria, including coming from a low-income and first-generation college family, for higher education.

Weber said Upward Bound is currently serving 55 students and is funded through 2022. Weber described multiple facets of the program including college tours, academic assistance, community service and cultural activities.

Weber said the group has already conducted tours of New Mexico Highlands University and Texas Tech University, with tours of the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma University planned for this summer.

Upward Bound also has required ACT test preparation and tutoring for any student with below a C, Weber said.

Weber said the program members volunteer at The Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico and the Community Garden located at Plains Regional Medical Center and have attended events from the CCC Cultural Arts Series including the Golden Dragon Acrobats and the Portalnd Cello Project.

• The board recognized 19 employees with service awards. The college recognizes and awards service pins to employees in five year increments.

Six employees were recognized for 20 years with the college and all 19 employees make up 210 years of service to CCC.