FTE Formula Fails To Add-up To $700,000 Deficit

by Cal Bryant - October 31, 2007 - Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

The figures do not add up.

At the Aug. 28 meeting of the Roanoke-Chowan Community College (RCCC) Board of Trustees, college president Dr. Ralph Soney broke the news of a $700,000 deficit in the school’s 2007-08 budget.

Dr. Soney explained that the majority of the deficit was tied to the loss of FTE (Full Time Equivalent) money RCCC receives annually from the state community college system for each student who is taking 16 hours of class instruction per semester for two semesters.

According to Dr. Soney, 22 FTE’s were lost in the area of Curriculum and three in Literacy (Basic Skills). He said drastic measures were necessary to balance the budget.

Cal then goes on to show that the loss was, " . . . a net FTE deficit of $87,106.16. That figure is a far cry from the $700,000 deficit Dr. Soney first reported in August."

What goes on here? Is there something going on that means some educators can't do simple math? Or is the RCCC President simply manipulating public opinion to fire some people he wants to fire?

Something just doesn't smell right in this situation. Someone needs to provide some credible information about loss of revenue or admit that RCCC is deceiving the public.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention Cal.