Board Meeting

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Posted: 12/5/07

The November Daytona Beach College board meeting began promptly at 5:30 p.m on Nov. 15. As often is the case, financing for the school was the primary topic. Other topics included new renovations and environmental concerns.

The way Florida funds education and Bright Futures is through the Florida Lottery. Unfortunately more money has had to go towards Bright Futures over the years as tuition has increased, leaving less money for direct educational funding. There is some speculation among board members that Bright Futures will not be able to keep up with the rising cost of tuition and that in the future years it will disappear.

Despite this problem, smart budgeting by the school board has given DBC a momentary budget surplus of $110,000. This was partly due to receiving lottery money later than usual and also partly due to many students registering earlier and in turn, paying their dues earlier.

Part of that money will go to a new renovation project for the down stairs area of Bldg. 100. The primary purpose of this is for general aesthetics and to better facilitate admissions. As this building is one of the first experiences of student's seeking admission, its appearance should be among the school's top priorities.

Also, President Kent Sharples was voted a well-deserved raise by the board members. His hard work and extra hours have provided DBC with more opportunities for success. In addition, one board member cited the recent participation of Linda, the President's wife, in school activities such as the planning of the Mori Hosseini Center.

"It's like we are getting two for the price of one," said board member Mary Bennett.

The Board proposed naming a building at the Deltona Campus after science professor Fred Fathi. Having recently contracted terminal cancer the board felt it was the least they could do in return for such admirable service for the school.

"He worked so hard and he is such a great role model," said board Chairperson Joseph Petrock.

The school discussed attempting to go paperless. The main idea here is that anything that can be done over email should be done over email. The meeting minutes themselves are equivalent to a book of paper that the board members bring every month.

The meeting ended with each present member sharing their final thoughts in a round table discussion and was finally adjourned at 7 p.m.

Compiled by Lacey Gray