Allen Community College is saying thanks, but no thanks, to a piece of state funding that carried quite a poison pill.
College trustees were unanimous Tuesday in rejecting what would have amounted to more than $500,000 in student success initiative and business/industry and apprentice funds for the 2025-26 school year.
The state aid was approved by lawmakers once again, but with a noose-sized string attached.
In order to remain eligible for the $500,000 this time, the college would have to spend $24 million by June 1, thus paring its reserve fund from the $32 million to about $7.5 million.
“I for one think it’s asinine to spend everything in our coffers,” Trustee Vicki Curry said. “We’ve been very frugal with our spending. It’s bullying.”
“It’s absolutely reckless,” Trustee Corey Schinstock agreed. “They’re looking at a way to cut us down.”
“We are getting punished for being frugally responsible,” Trustee Chairwoman Becky Nilges added.
College President Dr. Lyvier Leffler noted Gov. Laura Kelly still could veto the provision by Thursday’s deadline, but added a veto was unlikely because the provision is tied to other state funding mechanisms.
“I see no reason to fritter away money we have frugally put back for emergency situations or to expand our campus, instead of bypassing $500,000,” Curry said. “That’s not being responsible to our taxpayers.”
A motion to reject the state funding for the upcoming year passed 5-0, with Trustee Jessica Thompson absent.
WITH THE funding discussion fresh in everyone’s mind, Nilges said the college should do better at telling its story to state leaders.
She suggested formation of a blue ribbon panel of sorts, with college representatives, patrons and business leaders, to better communicate Allen’s importance to the community, both in terms of services offered and overall economic impact, and to have those members lobby on the college’s behalf with state lawmakers.
“Like with this (funding) issue,” Nilges said. “Very few people in the community are aware of it. We just need to be more proactive.”
The suggestion struck a chord with her fellow trustees.
“With the state hovering all over us, it’s a good idea to put together a group of business people and different leaders to vie for us,” Curry agreed. “We need to remind them we are as essential to them as they are to us.”
While taking no formal action, the trustees encouraged Nilges to begin scoping out potential panelists.
