The state Board of Education will meet in Jacksonville Wednesday.
On the agenda is a 286 million dollar funding request from Florida’s 28 state colleges.
“We are asking for performance-based funding support, for industry certification, for workforce preparation. We’re looking for 67-million for student success and completion and 50-million for faculty recruitment and retention,” said Florida State College at Jacksonville President Cynthia Bioteau.
Bioteau said it’s important the money be among the board’s legislative priorities for the upcoming 2018 session.
The student success and completion funds are especially necessary, according to Bioteau. “There’s a lot more to getting an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree than just the bookwork. It’s the wrap around services, the support services, that in many cases will make the difference of whether the student completes or not.”
Bioteau said the money is also an investment in local communities since around 84 percent of state college graduates in Florida stay, going on to get jobs and contribute to the economy.
Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 or on Twitter @cydwjctnews.
