CVTC is facing several issues as it trys to make its budget stretch.

Thursday night it passed the 2008-2009 budget, and says taxes will stay the same for people in the 11 county area.

But Chippewa Valley Technical College will get an extra 4 1/2% in tax dollars. President Bruce Barker tells us that's because the tax base increased, with more homes and businesses sharing the load.

As we first told you earlier this Spring, some programs were at risk.
Barker says there will be cutbacks in Marketing, Business Management, Accounting, Supervisory Management, Massage, the Barber-Cosmetology program, and in the Motorcycle and Power Products Technician programs.

CVTC plans to expand its Welding, Micromachining and Metrology programs. That's the science of measurements.

Here's the press release from CVTC:

CVTC Votes on Budget

Faced with a decrease in state aid, higher energy costs and increasing health insurance costs, the CVTC Board approved the college’s 2008-09 budget at its June 19 meeting.

The budget will increase the tax levy in the 11 counties served by CVTC by 4.5%; one of the lowest increases in the Wisconsin Technical College System. Next year’s mill rate of .15748, or $157.48 on a $100,000 home, has not increased from last year.

CVTC President Bruce Barker stated, “The budget as it presently exists is still very fluid. Many factors may change.” CVTC is currently negotiating new collective bargaining agreements with its three employee unions. Current contracts expire June 30, 2008. Major issues to be resolved include wages and increasing costs of health insurance.

Barker emphasized that the college will continue to measure its success based upon the success of its students. “The labor shortage is becoming more acute and CVTC occupies a unique role in training and educating tomorrow’s workers. The needs of business and industry are the job opportunities for our students,” said Barker.

Increased costs of operation will result in student enrollment remaining flat or slightly decreasing. CVTC continues to have waiting lists in many of its programs. “We don’t have a lack of students” said Barker, “but we do have an ability- to-pay problem.”

Programs with reduced capacity will include Marketing, Business Management, Accounting, Supervisory Management, Therapeutic Massage, Barber-Cosmetology and Motorcycle, Marine and Outdoor Power Products Technician. Programs being temporarily suspended are Instructional Assistant, Central Supply Technician and the continuing education offerings in insurance.

Barker reconfirmed CVTC’s commitment to its new University Transfer program. Students in this program can transfer all of their earned credits to the University of Wisconsin System as they pursue bachelor degrees. Barker emphasized, “Taxpayers subsidize every level of public education: high school, technical college and university level. The more credits that transfer minimizes costs for students, as well as taxpayers. CVTC must continue to provide value to our students, to business and industry and to our district taxpayers.”

CVTC's focus in the next fiscal year is on improving student access and success. Greater emphasis will be placed on student advisement and retention. Two important initiatives are Regional Industry Skills Education (RISE) and the Prepared Learner Program. RISE will assist low-income adults to transition successfully from basic skills to occupational programs. The Prepared Learner Program will assist students not adequately prepared for the rigor within associate degree programs.

CVTC is also expanding its manufacturing offerings. Areas of focus include welding, micromachining and metrology.

“While we will not be able to provide education for all who need it in the coming year, our students will receive the best education available and we will help local businesses grow and prosper,” stated Barker.