Senators Feltes and Reagan Call for Transparency in the Community College System of New Hampshire

Contact Name: Sara Persechino, Robert Collins

Phone: (603) 271-3479, (603) 271-7587

Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us, Robert.Collins@leg.state.nh.us

CONCORD - Today, Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes (D-Concord) and Senator John Reagan (R-Deerfield) introduced legislation to the Senate Finance Committee to enhance accountability and transparency in the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) budgeting process. SB 761-FN follows CCSNH’s announcement of ten layoffs this past November, despite having received a nearly 20% increase in their state appropriation and testified they would use that appropriation to freeze tuition for in-state students and maintain the present head count of faculty.

After the hearing, sponsors Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord) and Senator John Reagan (R-Deerfield) issued the following statement:

“Last year, the Community College System of New Hampshire was given adequate funding to maintain their present staffing and yet ten employees were laid off during the holidays. Additionally, the chancellor took inappropriate action by giving himself a raise at the time of the layoffs. With a nearly 20% increase in funding by New Hampshire taxpayers there is no reason those employees should have been laid off under the guise of financial pressure. That is not the way to do business. New Hampshire taxpayers rightfully expect more transparency and accountability when it comes to spending tax dollars on our higher education system, and this bill will do just that.”

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