QUINCY, ILL. -- John Wood Community College Board of Trustees approved a $15.6 million operating budget for fiscal year 2012 on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. 

The budget is approximately 6 percent higher than the 2011 budget that slashed state revenues close to half of the $2.9 million the state promised  through appropriations.  The 2012 budget includes increases in state support and local tax revenue, a $3 bump in the cost of credit hours and a rise in some related fees.

Based on state payments of $1.845 million for fiscal year 2011, next year’s budget calls for $2.1 million in state funding, which is 75 percent of the actual appropriation.

The 2012 budget estimates 58,500 credit hours compared to the 61,000 budgeted this year.  The decrease is based upon conservative and sustainable credit hour production. 

Roughly 56 percent of 2012 budget revenues, or $8.7 million, is estimated to be received from tuition and various fees. Approximately 25 percent of revenue will come from local taxes; about 5 percent is derived from training programs and other income and 14 percent is estimated to be received from state sources. 

 “This is a realistic and balanced budget,” Tom Klincar, JWCC president said.  “We made deep cuts last year and continue to adapt to decreased state support. We will continue to be good stewards of tax dollars and student tuition while providing affordable, accessible and quality education for our communities.”

The action to adopt the budget followed a public hearing at which no one asked to address the Board. The budget was approved in its tentative form at the May meeting, followed by a 30-day period of public review at JWCC’s centers throughout the district.

In other business, the board: 

Heard a brief report from Klincar regarding the possible future relocation of JWCC’s Pittsfield center.  He noted that the College is in the early stages of gathering community feedback and research to potentially relocate operations from the aging facility currently located at 1308 West Washington in Pittsfield to a land parcel on the southwest corner of Interstate I-72 and Highway 107 in Pike County.  JWCC has signed an option to purchase land near the highways’ intersection.  A community forum held in Pittsfield recently began a dialogue for the future development and Pike County residents are supportive of JWCC and invested in providing continued educational opportunities for the area.

Adopted a resolution by a 5-2 vote to comply with the Prevailing Wage Act to determine the prevailing wage rate for workers employed on public works construction projects for JWCC. 

Authorized the write-off of $83,488 in uncollectible student accounts.  The amount may include small accounts less than $25 and those that have been submitted to a collection service. 

Revised Board Policy 107 to move president and committee reports to precede the consent agenda for meetings of the Board. 

Approved change to practical nurse program fees as well as lab fees for new practical nurse and associate degree nursing courses for fall 2011 semester.

Authorized $3,783 payment for first half of Illinois Community College Trustee Association dues. 

Approved associate faculty base salary for fiscal year 2012 to be $$570 per credit hour.