RCC board hears facts on developmental needs
RCC
Published: March 13, 2009
WENTWORTH – While more people are turning to Rockingham Community College for retraining and career changes—spring enrollment grew 16 percent over spring 2008—the RCC Board of Trustees learned during its March 10 meeting that many RCC students require developmental (remedial) education.
In a special presentation, Title III Activity Director Michael Preuss told the trustees that 73 percent of enrolling RCC students must take one or more developmental course in reading, math, and/or English but math is the most critical area of need.
The trustees also adopted the college’s request for about $3.6 million in county funds for operation and capital expenditures for 2009-10. Included is the same amount requested in operations for the 2008-09 academic year, but represents a 9 percent increase over the amount actually funded last year. The request will be sent to the county manager for consideration in the overall Rockingham County budget.
Approval was given by the board to increase childcare fees at the RCC Child Development Center by 6.8 percent. Miscellaneous Child Development Center fee hikes for late tuition payment, supply, registration, and space retention were also approved. These increases were necessary because expenses in recent years have exceeded revenues.
In other action, the trustees approved adoption of the proposed RCC Identity Theft Protection Program with Vice President for Administrative Services Steve Woodruff as the person responsible for its administration. An Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy was also approved.
Capital improvement projects were noted including replacement of a cooling tower, submissions for design services for a proposed Health Sciences Building, anticipated repairs at the James Library, and proposed lighting along the college paths and walkways. It was also stated that the State Construction Office has approved the design phase of the McMichael Civic Center.
Recent and upcoming Student Government Association activities were reported by SGA president, Adam Cardwell. These included fundraisers, a blood drive, and sponsorship of guest lecturers on campus. Cardwell noted that the RCC SGA won the quiz bowl at the recent spring state SGA conference. In addition, RCC SGA Vice President and state SGA President Jeana ElSadder received the prestigious Ray Jeffries Award at the spring conference.
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Reader Reactions
As you have pointed out I do often make grammatical mistakes as I often use spell check. My Rockingham COunty Education has served me well as I am well repected in the community as a helper of people. Let me ask you Mr. Sykes….....why did you resign from the Reidsville Review? You are an arrogant, self-absorbed, jerk who needs to move back to Forsyth County where the school systems have no issues. When is the last time you had a child in school that took an eog and missed recess and art inorder to “go over the testing material again”? The first point of this discussion was that RCC students need a great deal of remedial classes…....you blame the school system. Fair enough but look at the cuts that have had to be made due to budgets and lack of funding. Like I said before…..Go take a placement test and see what classes you place in. Oh excuse me you are a product of the great Winstom Salem school system. (and by the way…if you want to get people to support your cause learn to be a little less full of egocentric and a little more approachable)
I see. So you didn’t like my visit to the tv station. I can understand that. That is far different from calling me a liar.
The claim about “teaching to the test” is a false argument because the systemic problems inherent to the public schools in this county preceded the creation of NCLB.
For example, did you know that RCC has one of the highest failure rates in the state among students who pursue transfer credits at the community college prior to attending a four-year university? That’s right. Why not ask the dean of arts and sciences about that.
While it is very tempting to lampoon your butchery of the English language as learned in the local school system, I will refrain and merely point out that “facalty” is not a word. I assume you meant faculty.
My reputation surely does not “proceed” me because I’ve yet to make any money off of it. I assume you mean “precede” as in the usage above.
Lastly, my reputation for “outbursts” is an outgrowth of my dedication to confronting the world as it is. I have often wished I could live in a “dream world” like so many others around me, but I was blessed with an unfortunate ability to see the reality of my surroundings with clarity, and sometimes that necessitates action.
They say ignorance is bliss, but I would know nothing about that.
Mr. Sykes,
I too know facalty and staff at RCC and in the Rockingham County School System of which I am a graduate. The problem with the education system is that teachers are having to teach to the tests in order to get, increase, or maintain their funding which is very limited per student. As for my comment on you personally your reputation proceeds you. You cannot expect to be in the public eye and do the things you have done without some backlash. People don’t forget as easily as YOU would like them to. SO yes I will continue to live in “my dream” world….as positive as it is. I prefer it to the harsh reality you must face everyday with your public disgrace and outbursts.
Taxpayers without too much complaining pick up 100% of the cost of public school education.
Students at community colleges pay increasingly little or nothing toward the actual cost of their education which means taxpayers are now forced into paying for this as well. The idea of localized sources for higher education and training was perhaps a good one but just visit your local community college and marvel at the huge construction projects underway and ask yourself from where is the money coming…the students are certainly not providing it. Then multiply this by the dozens now across this state! When is enough enough? Well, I for one have had enough. Tuitions and fees at community colleges need to reflect the actual costs of the services provided. Even a no interest loan to a student is better than the state forcing all taxpayers to pick up the tab.
Yes some of them are older folks coming out of the mills, but a significant majority of them are teenagers coming from Rockingham County schools.
A good portion of them still think they will be able to go work in the mills and don’t seem to understand that the world has left them behind.
I agree with Ravenscottage that heads should roll, but since we can’t hold the kids or the teachers accountable, I guess taxpayers will continue to throw millions of dollars down the drain each year.
I suggest a two-tier public school system that separates the wheat from the chaff early on and as an incentive to working hard allows underachieving students to earn their way into the more advanced schools.
Or we can keep doing what we are doing.
How’s that working again?
Ravencottage….....I’ll bet that lots of theses students are older individuals that returning to college after working in textiles for years. Why don’t you go and take a placement test and see where you would place! If you don’t use thoses skills for 20 years it may be hard to remeber how to do geometry or algebra. Don’t be so quick to judge.
ravencottage should try teaching
Are the 73% needing remedial education products of Rockingham County Schools? If so, heads need to roll. I’m sure RCC doesn’t mind since the situation gives them the opportunity to request more funding for facilities and staff.
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