A bill currently winding its way through the state Senate could provide a significant economic stimulus to South Central Louisiana Technical College in Reserve and River Parishes Community College in Sorrento.
Senate Bill 204, which recently advanced out of the Senate Committee and now awaits what is certain to be a contentious debate by the full chamber, would allow schools under the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to have access to state funding, bypassing the state’s capital outlay process. Rather than having to engage in what amounts to a competition for limited funds, LCTCS schools, of which both SCLTC and RPCC are members, would be able to fund expansion projects through a combination of private partnerships and tapping into the state budget for a loan.
Proponents say the bill is necessary because the state simply has a shortage of skilled workers to meet workforce demands. Elected officials have acknowledged this challenge for several years and said companies have eschewed Louisiana for other states based on the lack of a properly trained labor pool.
Bill sponsor Sen. Robert Adley of Benton cited a statistic that shows 75 out of 100 high school freshmen will eventually turn to either a community or technical college for some type of training.
As expected, opponents, notably higher education officials, are unified in their opposition, claiming the bill’s passage would strip funding from the state’s three major college systems, which include LSU, Southern and the University of Louisiana schools.
Some are also claiming the bill would circumvent the state constitution.
SCLTC and RPCC continue to make tremendous progress and have become valuable educational resources accommodating nontraditional students throughout the region.
Passage of the bill is likely to face a difficult journey, but at least approval by the Senate Finance Committee represents one important step in that journey.