Board of Regents Budget Proposal

Finances were front and center at last week’s Kansas Board of Regents meeting in Topeka. Specifically the Regents were studying budget proposals including one from the state’s 26-technical colleges and community colleges that provide technical education.

Clark Coco – North Central Kansas Technical College President – said it would take $58-to-$60-million to adequately fund a new cost model for the colleges. Because of the state current budget woes, the proposal was for an increase of just $20-million.

Following a long discussion, the Board of Regents cut the request to $8-million. In addition, the budget request included $5-million to increase training of doctors at the University of Kansas with a goal of turning-out an additional 150-doctors.

Coco said the Regents action raises a question about support staff for all those new doctors.

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The Regents budget proposal will be forwarded to the state legislature where the final decision on funding will be made in the 2012 legislative session.