Tech Center director examines budget cuts
A proposed 10 percent reduction in state funds to Tennessee Technology Center in McMinnville has led director Dr. Abraham Pallas to announce a number of “belt tightening” steps for the upcoming fiscal year should the legislature pass a no-new-revenue budget.
The proposed 10 percent reduction is equal to a $100,000 loss to the center, said Pallas. To make up for this loss, the center would be forced to reduce programs and support services and limit some enrollment.
Also, full-time staff members would be reduced by minimum of 10 percent and, in some cases, full-time positions would be converted to part-time positions.
As a result of these cuts and reductions, Dr. Pallas anticipates at least a 10 percent reduction in student enrollment, equivalent to a minimum of 25 students. Already, he noted, each program offered by the center has waiting lists. This measure will make the waiting lists even longer. Additionally, student service operations will be limited, meaning some students will likely face delays in receiving their financial aid.
“Maintenance will also be an issue,” said Dr. Pallas. “We have roofs at the center that are over 30 years old, and they are in constant need of repair. We spent over $10,000 this past year just for patching, but it seems that when we fix one area, we get leaks in another. And since capital maintenance money is severely limited, it will be at least fiscal year 2003-2004 before there is hope of re-roofing.”
State budget discussions, complete with tax supporters and protesters standing outside Capitol Hill, began again on Wednesday. Slashing state services with a no-new-revenue budget remains an option.