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PJC Regents approve tax abatement, tuition increase

PJC Regents approve tax abatement, tuition increase

Published or Revised March 26, 2013

Monday evening the Paris Junior College Board of Regents approved a tuition increase of $3 per credit hour across the board. "These numbers are still well below the state average," said Vice President of Business Services John Eastman. "We feel this is necessary to remain viable." The vote changes in-district tuition from $47 to $50, out-of-district tuition from $78 to $81, and out-of-state tuition from $125 to $128, per credit hour. "You can see the dilemma," said Dr. Pamela Anglin, PJC president. "With our tax base being as small as it is and state money declining, the only place we have to go is tuition." The regents also discussed a seven-year tax abatement request from Campbell's Soup for a $24 million expansion, bringing 50 new jobs to Paris. The Regents approved the abatement, with one abstention. In other business, the Regents:
  • Received the financial report from Eastman. Despite ongoing construction, finances are in good shape. "People are being frugal where they can be," Eastman said.
  • Voted to opt out of the State Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign and participate at the local level. This keeps all funds raised at PJC going to local programs.
  • Approved the Aramark contract for the food contract for 2013-2014 with a 3 percent increase.
  • Moved the next Board of Regents meeting to April 29.
  • Discussed sending two Regents to the ACCT Annual Conference in October. Action was deferred until a future meeting.
  • Received an update on the state appropriations process. The Texas Senate passed a promising budget that assists community colleges, thanks in part to leadership from Sen. Kevin Eltife. The House bill is less generous, but both will go to conference committee and improvements may be made there.
  • Accepted the following retirements: effective May 10, 2013, history instructor Kenneth Hanushek and music instructor Jennie Vaughan; effective Aug. 31, 2013, Division Chair/instructor of jewelry Ulla Raus, Associate Dean of Communication and Fine Arts Beth Shelton and Archivist Daisy Harvill. Faculty contracts were renewed for 2013-2014.