The College of New Caledonia Board has approved the college’s 2016/17 budget.
The $59.7 million financial plan was originally to be adopted last month, however an unexpected $1.8 million surplus delayed things. Last year the school had a $2.8 million deficit; the swing into the black is being pinned on a bump in enrollment.
“One million dollars of it is going to address salary increases, pay band increases, utility costs and things of that nature. Then $800,000 will be set aside.” CNC President Henry Reiser said for priority capital projects down the road
Looking forward, Reiser says enrollment remains “king” for finances at the school.
“Assuming that the enrollment trends stay the way they are, then we will be fine… if our enrollment numbers go down and the economy picks up which is typically the case, then we will have to be more creative.”
He says they are committing to stronger reporting and auditing in the future to make sure they are not surprised again by changes in enrolment.
Notably, the Board voted to reactivate the suspended Dental Hygiene program. It was scrapped in 2015 to be overhauled and relaunched. Preliminary intake will begin this fall for program start in Sept 2017.
(Files from Colin Dacre with MY PRINCE GEORGE NOW)