Trustees Approve Total Request of $2.4 Million from Four Counties


Judge Robert H. Hobgood (left), Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the Ninth Judicial District, swears in N. Annette P. Myers, Vance-Granville Community College’s new member of the Board of Trustees, at the board’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 17. Myers is finishing the term of Ron Alligood, who resigned recently. She was appointed by the Granville County Board of Commissioners. (VGCC photo)

Judge Robert H. Hobgood (left), Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the Ninth Judicial District, swears in N. Annette P. Myers, Vance-Granville Community College’s new member of the Board of Trustees, at the board’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 17. Myers is finishing the term of Ron Alligood, who resigned recently. She was appointed by the Granville County Board of Commissioners. (VGCC photo)

Vance-Granville Community College’s Board of Trustees has approved a proposed total budget request of $2,491,302 for 2014-2015 for Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.

The budget request, which includes $2,385,342 in current expenses and $105,960 in capital outlay, was presented to the trustees in their regular bimonthly meeting, held at the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford on Monday, March 17.

The action came as the board also welcomed N. Annette P. Myers of Oxford as a newly appointed trustee. A state retiree who is currently working as a court reporter, Myers finishes out the term of Ron Alligood, who recently resigned. Appointed by the Granville County Board of Commissioners, she will serve for a term ending June 30, 2015. Superior Court Judge Robert H. Hobgood of Louisburg administered the oath of office to Myers.

The 2014-2015 budget requests now go to the board of county commissioners in each of the four counties served by VGCC. As the newest member of the board, Myers recused herself from the vote.

“As of right now, we are anticipating a reduction in our state budget of $1.6 million for 2014-2015, seven percent less than what was allocated for 2013-2014,” said Steven Graham, VGCC vice president of finance and operations.

VGCC’s proposals to the counties include an anticipated two percent salary increase for county-funded positions, based on expectations from the state; an approximate 2.8 percent projected increase in health insurance benefit costs; and the costs associated with the establishment of campus police and security at each of the four campuses.

Of the $2.3 million current expense county budget, $1,060,619 is being proposed for Vance County for the Main Campus and the Simulation Lab at Maria Parham Medical Center; $683,303 for Granville County for Main Campus, South Campus and the Culinary Arts department; $208,372 for Warren County’s campus; $369,168 for Franklin County’s campus; and $63,880 for other institutional revenues.

Of the $105,960 in capital outlay requests for facility improvement needs, funding by county is: Vance, $48,720; Granville, $31,240; Warren, $6,000; and Franklin, $20,000.

The proposed current expense county budget represents a $209,440 increase over the 2013-2014 current expense budget and a $40,000 increase over the current year’s capital outlay.

The budgets as presented are contingent upon approval by the respective boards of county commissioners in the four-county area, noted Sara Wester, chair of the trustees’ Budget Committee.

“Now that the board of trustees has given its blessings, Dr. (Stelfanie) Williams (VGCC president) and I can now meet with each of the county managers and finance directors and officially present them with our needs in more details,” Graham said.

County funding represents approximately 6 percent of the college’s overall budget.

Vanguard Café

The meeting was held in the cafeteria of the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, also known as the Vanguard Café, as a part of the trustees’ efforts to meet in each of the counties served by the college.

Granville County commissioners and officials were treated to dinner prepared by the Culinary Arts students enrolled in the VGCC curriculum program based on the Masonic Home’s campus.

Reinvestment in Community Colleges

On a recommendation from the Executive Committee, chaired by Deborah Brown, also chair of the board, the trustees approved a resolution urging the North Carolina General Assembly to support the state’s economic recovery by reinvesting funds in community colleges.

The state’s community colleges are essential to the economic recovery because they can put taxpayers back to work, close the skills gap for employers and save families money, Brown said.

“The VGCC Board of Trustees strongly urges the General Assembly to invest in North Carolina’s future by reinvesting approximately $36.8 million in the state’s community colleges,” the resolution says.

“Close the skills gap by funding a fourth tier of instruction that will prepare students for immediate employment in higher-paying jobs in the health sciences, engineering, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and biotechnology fields.

“This reinvestment will enable VGCC to provide relevant, cutting-edge training that leads to workforce and economic development,” the resolution continues. “Increase the quality of instruction and student support by increasing funding for all tier levels. This reinvestment will enable to VGCC to fulfill its mission of educating, inspiring and support students, thereby preparing them well for the workforce or higher education.”

The resolution also urges the General Assembly to recognize the importance of faculty and staff by appropriating funds to support a salary increase that reflects the value they provide to the state. North Carolina’s average faculty salary ranks 11th of the 16-state Southern Regional Education Board area and 41st nationally.

Other Action

In other action:

• The board amended its policy on the use of tobacco products on campus.

• The board OK’d a recommendation by the Curriculum Committee, chaired by Dr. Doris Terry Williams, to close the Garde Manger Certificate program.

• Reports were heard from the Building Committee, chaired by John Foster; Personnel Committee, chaired by Ernest Thompson; and Investment Committee, chaired by Opie Frazier.

• President Dr. Stelfanie Williams reported on recent events at the college and noted several upcoming events of interest to the trustees and the public: Kerr Lake Art Society Show at the Civic Center on Main Campus, April 14-18; Earth Day on Main, South and Franklin Campuses, April 22; the Dinner Theater presentation of “An Inspector Calls,” Civic Center, May 1-2; VGCC Endowment Fund Golf Tournament, Henderson Country Club, May 6; and commencement exercises, May 16.

The next meeting of the board will be on Monday, May 19 at Main Campus.