Funding plan OK'd by college governors

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Mid-Plains Community College became the fourth of six community colleges in the state to approve a funding plan that will be implemented if state support is increased next year.

Meeting Wednesday in North Platte, the board of governors approved a funding proposal which allocates additional state aid in excess of 2012-13 levels based on three factors.

Those factors include 25 percent allocated evenly among the six community colleges, 30 percent allocated based on three-year rolling "reimbursable education units" averages, and 45 percent allocated based on three-year rolling "full-time equivalency" averages. The three year rolling averages are based on the immediate three preceding fiscal years.

College President Michael Chipps and Ryan Purdy, associate vice president of administrative services told the board that the funding proposal only allocates funding in excess of 2012-13 levels. If the level of funding is at or below the 2012-13 levels, it is allocated according to the current statute.

If it is in excess, then only the amount in excess of that 2012-13 level is allocated based on this funding proposal and distribution would be based on the listed three factors.

With Wednesday's approval by the MPCC Board, four of the six community college's have voted to accept the proposal. The boards of governors at Central Community College and Northeast Community College do not meet in December and therefore will vote on the measure at their January meeting. If all agree, the action will be implemented.

Also Wednesday, Mid-Plains governors unanimously authorized Chipps to execute an agreement to transfer title to the Broken Bow Extended Campus to Mid-Plains Community College, and to execute a deed of trust in favor of Custer Campus Inc, to secure performance under that agreement.

The action is required by MPCC Board Policy 3450, Mid-Plains Community College Property, which requires an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all board members.

There two major reasons for making this transfer of ownership. With college ownership, any and all property tax liabilities associated with continued private ownership of the extended campus are eliminated. Also, the college will now assume all insurance involving the extended campus.

In his presentation to the board, Chipps told the board that the change is anticipated to save more than $25,000 per year.