 |
Governance
chance at Gwinnett Tech
benefits the entire community
By David Seago
Metro North Region Distribution Manager/Georgia
Power Company
Chair, Gwinnett Technical College Council of Advisors
Special to GwinnettForum.com
JULY 19, 2002 - - I've been a member of Gwinnett Technical College's
Council of Advisors since 1993, but I developed an immediate passion
for Gwinnett Tech from the first day I learned of the school and
its mission. The college's dedication to delivering relevant knowledge
and specialized skills that lead to success in the workplace creates
an immense benefit to its students, the business community and the
local economy. As a businessman, I know how critical it is to have
a knowledgeable, well-trained workforce. Gwinnett Technical College
has become a workforce specialist for our county, providing hundreds
of skilled graduates to businesses each year and delivering ongoing
education, training and certification to the workplace.
This past Thursday, the Council of Advisors recommended to the
board of the Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) that the college
transition from joint governance by GCPS and the Georgia Department
of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE) to single governance by
DTAE. Since its inception, the Council has continuously studied
the issue of Gwinnett Technical College's governance, officially
producing six prior governance reports. President Sharon Rigsby
has worked with the Council on these reports, providing us with
enthusiastic support every step along the way. And during this time,
the school has received, and continues to receive, the complete
support of the Gwinnett County Public School System.
Again, as in the past, the latest vote of the Council regarding
governance was unanimous. This time, however, the recommendation
is quite different because circumstances are different. The main
reason is that the state of higher education in Georgia has changed
dramatically, due to Governor Barnes' Education Reform Act of 2000.
The primary effect this legislation has had on technical colleges
is the adoption of an enrollment-based funding formula. This past
fiscal year was the second year that we were able to clearly see
the difference that the newly implemented funding formula could
have made on Gwinnett Tech's operating budget. The bottom line is
that Gwinnett Tech has been held revenue neutral for the last two
years, while state-funded technical colleges have realized definite
benefits under the funding formula.
Financial realities point to many advantages that Gwinnett Technical
College could enjoy if governed by the state system of technical
colleges:
- In the last eight years, $500 million has been spent by the
state on capital projects at state technical colleges.
- Average capital expenditures during this same period of time
(1995-2002) for the four largest technical colleges (excluding
Gwinnett Tech) have been $24 million.
- The capital needs of DTAE colleges are addressed annually through
the state budget process.
- There is a strong probability that additional construction on
campus and in other county locations would be funded by the state
in the near future.
- The college's operating budget would be based on an enrollment-driven
funding formula, and Gwinnett Tech continues to produce record-setting
enrollment numbers.
- Maintenance and operations budgets would also be allocated on
an annual basis.
Gwinnett Tech has matured as a college and so has the technical
education system in Georgia. Therefore, working hand-in-hand with
President Rigsby, we have concluded that it is in the all parties'
best interests to recommend that Gwinnett Technical College be moved
from GCPS governance to DTAE governance. It makes good financial
sense and will benefit our students, local businesses and the entire
community.
Click
here to read other community commentaries...
|
|
