The 1st meeting of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education of the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue was held on Wednesday, June 8, 2005, at 9:30 AM, in Room 200 of the Business-Education-Psychology Building of the Highland Heights Campus of Northern Kentucky University. Representative John Will Stacy, Chair, called the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Senator Brett Guthrie, Co-Chair; Representative John Will Stacy, Co-Chair; and Representative Jon Draud.
Guests: Senator Jack Westwood, Senator Dan Kelly, Dr. James Votruba, President, NKU; Dr. Edward Hughes, President, Gateway Community and Technical College; Barbara Stonewater, Executive Director, Northern Kentucky Council of Partners in Education; and Robert Farrell, Associate Provost for Economic Initiatives, NKU.
LRC Staff: Janie Miller, Tom Willis, Charles Shirley, Dudley Cotton, Rkia Rhrib, Karen Crabtree, Bart Hardin, Jeff Busick, Ruth Webb, and Bettina Abshire.
Dr. Gail Wells, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost for Northern Kentucky University, welcomed the Subcommittee and gave a brief overview of the budgetary needs of the University.
Chairman John Will Stacy introduced and recognized former House member Jim Callahan.
Barbara Stonewater discussed the Council of Partners in Education. Representative Draud emphasized the critical need for staff and the importance of this position.
Chairman Stacy asked if there was considerable involvement with NKU partners. Ms. Stonewater replied that they work with the Chamber of Commerce. Chairman Stacy inquired if an effort is being made to change parent's expectations for their children. Ms. Stonewater answered in the affirmative.
Robert M. Farrell, Associate Provost for Economic Initiatives for NKU, gave a brief presentation. Rep. Draud asked what impact is expected from this program. Mr. Farrell replied that the program will impact workers throughout the state and model programs.
Dr. Edward G. Hughes, President, Gateway Community and Technical College, gave a brief overview of their accomplishments in recent years, adding that in the next three years, the projection includes three new campuses.
Dr. James Votruba, President of NKU, welcomed the Subcommittee. He reinforced the need for technical and community colleges in Kentucky and stressed the importance of the close relationship NKU has with Gateway Community and Technical College.
Senator Guthrie inquired about the initiatives for the Bowling Green Technical College. Dr. Hughes replied that both Western Kentucky University and NKU are working on that. Senator Guthrie expressed the need for technical colleges for middle-class incomes.
Rep. Draud commented that the Outreach Program has been outstanding.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 A.M.