PCC ISSUES.
Economic Development and Jobs
I am a graduate of PCC and my education here has been instrumental in my professional success. Serving as President of the Hillsboro Chamber and my extensive background with working with the business community make me uniquely qualified for the PCC Board. I have strong understanding of the importance of and the role that PCC plays in our economic development and workforce development efforts. Our college plays a key role in our economic recovery providing opportunities for workforce retraining and job creation throughout our region.
Budgeting
State funding for community colleges has declined steadily in Oregon for two decades, yet enrollment at PCC is up 30%.
Diminishing state resources are, in my opinion, one of the most important challenges facing the college. Providing access to students is a primary goal and reduced state funding increases the pressure and importance of tuition on our budget. Obviously, access and tuition are interrelated. Our ability to provide access to students is dependent upon our ability to offer a tuition rate that is reasonable and affordable.
We can continue to advocate for additional funding with the legislature and inform them about the vital role that community colleges play in our economic development and job creation efforts. Business will not come to an area if they do not have access to a highly skilled, highly educated workforce. But, we can’t count on the state to solve all of our funding problems. I also believe the business community can be better partners in helping PCC achieve these goals and I am using my experience to help make this connection.
Another budget issue I deal with on the Board is the PCC Bond. The most important goal for the remainder of the Bond funds is to be true to our promise to voters. We have an enormous obligation to deliver the outcome that voters approved. This was a large bond with many different projects being undertaken simultaneously.
Focusing on the achievement of our goals within the bond funding budget is paramount for Board members. There are numerous construction requirements for a public institution and, as a Board member I am keenly aware of these requirements and have expectations that the College staff responsible for the implementation of the Bond are following those guidelines with precision.