Community Colleges' Ralls on Perdue budget

We've already given you the UNC system president's thoughts on Gov. Beverly Perdue's budget proposal.

Now, here's what Scott Ralls, president of the state's community college system, had to say today about it.

“Governor Perdue’s budget recommendation to fully fund our colleges’ unprecedented enrollment growth reflects her understanding of North Carolinians’ increasing demand for job training and education, and we appreciate that recommendation.

While we know that lean budget times demand difficult decisions, we also know that the
proposed system-wide cut of 3.5 percent -- a direct reduction of our per-student funding -- will reach into our classrooms and lessen our colleges’ ability to provide high-quality educational opportunities for our students, particularly in healthcare and technical education.

We will be working with the Governor and the leadership in the General Assembly to find an alternative solution.”