Trustees approve balanced budget, appoint vice president of Del Rio campus

Uvalde, TX, – It was a busy night for SWTJC trustees during the board’s regular monthly meeting on June 16 in Uvalde.

Highlighting the action taken, the board adopted an operating budget for the fiscal year 2018, appointed a vice president of the Del Rio campus and approved a salary increase.

The fiscal year 2017-2018 budget is balanced at $45.6 million, up $2.8 million from the 2016-2017 budget.

Increases in state support and tuition account for most of the rise. Hector Gonzales, college president, said, “We have realized about a $400,000 increase in state appropriations.”

The board of trustees approved a salary increase of two steps for all employees on a classified scale. Also, board members authorized one percent as an equivalent for one step for unclassified employees.

In other business, trustees appointed Connie Buchanan as the new vice president of the Del Rio campus, replacing Derek Sandoval who filled the vice president of administrative services earlier this year. Buchanan’s new role as vice president of Del Rio will take effect July 1.

In other matters, board members approved a slight tuition increase of four dollars per semester credit hour. Currently in district students are paying $57 per semester hour, while out of district students are paying $61. Out of state tuition has increased to $202 per semester credit hour, and the general use fee will see a four-dollar hike, which makes it $21 per semester credit hour.

Trustees were also updated on summer enrollment by Margot Mata, vice president of student services.

According to Mata’s report, the current headcount is up approximately eight percent from the same time last year. Contact hours saw a five percent increase, while credit hours increased 16 percent.

“Registration for the second summer session is steady, and we are currently above the reported enrollment for Summer II last year,” said Mata.

Board members also voted to adopt the 2017-2022 Strategic Plan recommended by the college administration and cancel the July board meeting.