Welch Discusses Future Budget Plans
Jeff Cerino
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: News
|
President Chuck Welch discussed plans for the future during two forums held last Wednesday.
"These are across-the-board cuts impacting every college and university in Arkansas," said Welch. "These cuts do not reflect the result of a particular action or inaction by anyone at Henderson."
In comparison to schools throughout Arkansas, other universities in surrounding states such as Louisiana and South Carolina are seeing a 21.5% decrease in state funding and a 5% increase in tuition.
Other facilities such as the health department, prisons and state police are also feeling the pain as funds cease.
"K-12 schools are not being put into this situation," said Welch. "They will not see cuts because they are constitutionally mandated."
So far, state revenue is down $99.9 million, with September having $55 million. Henderson's budget suffered a total loss of $425,093 in funds not received from the state, including a cut in the Education Excellent Trust Fund.
"We may have seen the worst of the revenue declines," said Welch. "There is a strong reason to believe that revenue reports for October and November will be more promising."
During the budget development process that took place last year, a secure amount of around $240,000 would be used as a go-to in case a situation such as the current decline in funding should arise.
Be the first to comment on this story