TEXARKANA, Texas - The Texarkana College Board of Trustees approved amendments to the Capital Improvement Project budget and heard reports about adding new machinery to the Workforce program in a regular meeting Monday afternoon.
The 2020-21 capital improvement plan was approved by the board last year in an effort to improve facilities and maintenance on campus. It was updated in September. Since that time, many construction costs have increased.
The college has received proposals on some projects that exceed original costs, causing the need to amend the budget. Some projects will also be postponed, as a result.
The adopted capital budget was $15 million, but the new proposed budget is $15,149,442. There is some maneuvering as far as different projects to balance out the budget.
The proposed budget sees slight decreases in spending on total restroom projects, miscellaneous campus upgrades, infrastructure and contingency, while seeing increases in STEM building remodeling, HVAC projects and elevator repairs.
Director of Facilities Rick Boyette said Phase Two of the capital improvement plan is set to come in under budget, and this will mainly affect Phase Three.
In other news from the meeting the board received an update from Brandon Washington, dean of Workforce, Community and Business Education on new industrial training opportunities for students to learn skills in machining and metal fabrication.
Washington said a grant from the Carl D. Perkins program enabled the college to acquire computer numerical controlled machines including two 5-axis vertical mini mills and a lathe that totaled $178,750.
He said the new equipment provides students an opportunity to learn next-level 3-D printing for metalworking, which will give them a competitive edge when applying for jobs in their fields.
"Our industry partners tell us there is a need of skilled machinists to fill vacant positions right here in our region," Washington said. "We have responded to their concerns and have aligned our curriculum and training exercises to their needs. The workforce data we studied to prepare the grant request showed that approximately two-thirds of the nation's manufacturers are currently looking to hire skilled CNC machinists. By providing this training at TC, it is a win for job-seekers, incumbent workers and manufacturers in our area."
The board also approved the administration's recommendation to accept a proposal from Stone Ward to redesign the college's website. Paid for by local funds, the move is in response to increased volume to the website as a result of the pandemic. It is aimed to make the online experience more user-friendly.