Growing pains at Haywood Community College

“In looking at the increased demands that location, making it easier for larger had some issues, but also needs a full roof on our current maintenance staff, this vehicles to enter and exit campus. The proj- replacement,” said White. “We’ve seen over

In preparing for Haywood Community request would assist [that], as well as the ect would begin once additional funding the years some reupholstery happen, but College’s first post-pandemic budget, additional specialty laboratories that becomes available. other than that very few improvements have President Dr. Shelley White presented a require unique maintenance skill sets, such “With increased usage, we would like to been made within that facility, so we would stable operating budget but asked for sub- as our burn tower for firefighter training,” improve that entrance/exit to campus,” love to bring that facility back to be a highstantial capital spending in line with the White said. White said. “The usage it has seen over the tech showplace.” school’s growth. Another $25,000 is needed for a mandat- years, it has begun to deteriorate even Outdated cameras at the Regional Center

“Although this has been a year of chal- ed five-year inspection of the burn building more.” for the Advancement of Children also need lenges for all of us through the pandemic, it at HCC’s public safety training facility. to be replaced, at a cost of $50,000. has also been a year of opportunity for According to White’s presentation, the The RCAC provides childcare and early Haywood Community College,” White told inspection comes at the recommendation of learning services and remained open during commissioners on the National Fire Protection Association, the pandemic despite enrollment dropping April 19. and will review burn props, equipment and from about 130 children to just 30.

White’s budget pres- building structure. “We were committed to remain open entation requests a The final portion of White’s request [during the pandemic],” White said. “We meager increase — just would address the increasing need for addi- had a lot of parents who were in health care 3 percent or about tional sanitation and PPE supplies, on the fields and front-line workers and they need$90,000 above last order of about $20,000. ed that consistent childcare.” year’s operating budget “As we are planning a more in-person fall The state provided support that helped of $3.02 million. schedule, we anticipate the need for offset some of the revenue declines, but The operating budget increase is needed at Shelley White increased cleaning supplies and other supplies to support that return,” she said. RCAC enrollment figures have now returned to normal. Enrollment at HCC least in part due to the The capital outlay portion of the budget, was down just 8 percent for the last availsubstantial expansion in floor space at the however, asks for more substantial funding able reporting period, the fall term of school. Including the new Health Sciences for several projects. After spending just 2020, but wasn’t down as much for continEducation building that’s soon to be built, $30,000 last year, the proposed budget asks The Regional High Tech Center also uing education. HCC has added more than 100,000 square for $350,000 this year. needs upgrades to building components, If commissioners approve only the operfeet of space in the past six years and now Of that, $75,000 is earmarked for reconfiguration of some of the spaces and a ating budget requests made by White, HCC’s totals around 400,000 square feet. Part of advanced planning for an entrance project at roof recovering, to the tune of $225,000. budget would increase from $3.02 million to the budget increase requested by White, Armory Drive, which receives up to 40 per- “This building was first built in 1986 and just over $3.1 million. If the capital requests totaling $45,000, would pay for an addition- cent of all HCC traffic. A retaining wall and is 27,000 square feet. It has had in the past are also granted, that figure would become al maintenance position. infill project would flatten out the grade at couple of years a skylight replaced, which $3.46 million.

Including the new Health Sciences Education building that’s soon to be built, HCC has added more than 100,000 square feet of space in the past six years and now totals around 400,000 square feet.