ACC Regents Approve Budget and Lower Tax Rate

Taxes Have Not Increased In Nine Years

Alvin Community College regents unanimously approved the annual Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, and also lowered the tax rate during its regular meeting on Aug. 25.

The 2011-2012 budget of $25,052,345 represents a 2.2 percent increase over last year. The M&O Budget is funded by three main sources including state appropriations, local tax revenues and tuition and fees, but like the previous year, ACC has had to deal with reductions from the state.

The 2011-2012 budget accommodated the reduction in state funding, both in the legislative appropriation and in employee health care and retirement benefits. The state appropriation was reduced $1,092,119 or 12.91 percent. The state also significantly reduced its contribution to employee benefits.  These reductions led to an increase of approximately $1.5 million in the M&O Budget.

Regents applauded the ACC planning team, made up of key members of the college's administration, for their work on the proposed budget. "When we started this budget process I thought it would be impossible but, because of the revenue from the tax base and finding cuts in expenditures, we've done a very nice job in a difficult year," stated Regent Mike Pyburn.

In addition to approving the budget, the regents approved to lower the tax rate by .17 percent to .199485 per $100 valuation.

In July, the Brazoria County Appraisal District (BCAD) approved the net taxable value of the district at $5,917,900,833, which is an approximate increase of 1.47 percent over last year.

The ACC board voted unanimously to accept the effective tax rate of .199485 per $100 valuation. ACC tax rate includes the debt service of .025687 for the new Science/Health Science building. 

In other news, regents approved the hiring of three full-time employees - an academic advisor, a math instructor and a new women's softball coach.   

During the meeting, board members also approved the July 2011 financial reports; reviewed the college's investment plan and received an update on the current state of the ACC Pearland College Center by ACC and Texas State Technical Institute stakeholders.  

New Softball Coach Approved

Alvin Native, Loryn Johnson Set To Lead the Team

Originally from Alvin, Loryn Johnson, is a graduate of the University of Texas and has played and coached softball professionally with the Texas Storm, the Round Rock Blaze, Southwestern University and the National ProFastpitch Team, the Tennessee Diamonds.

"Ms. Johnson is from our community and has a proven record of success," said ACC President, Dr. A. Rodney Allbright.

"She received numerous awards at the University of Texas and was an All American player," said ACC Provost, Dr. John Bethscheider. "She is also planning to begin work on her master's degree."

The Dolphins Softball Team begins their fall exhibition season on September 17.     

ACC Welcomes Fall 2012 Student Ambassadors

Ambassadors Funded by ACC Foundation

ACCTA Honors Dr. Rodney Allbright

President Recognized for Leadership

During the August Board of Regents meeting John Matula, president of the ACC Teachers Association and biology faculty member, presented a plaque to Dr. Allbright in appreciation for his leadership and contributions to ACC. 

"His leadership played an integral part in the national award from the Aspen Institute.  The ACC faculty felt this recognition for his leadership was long overdue," said Matula. "This award is just a token of our appreciation for Dr. Allbright."

ACC Now Offers Home School Classes and Workshops

Classes to Begin in September 

New Student Orientation September 23 

First-time Students Required to Attend

ACC will host a fall session of its new student orientation, Blue Preview, on Sept. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the ACC Student Center. Speakers will provide tips and advice for making the most of college. This event fulfills requirements for mandatory orientation for first-time students.

Reservations are required and can be made at www.alvincollege.edu/orientation. For more information, contact the ACC Enrollment Services Center at (281) 756.3686.  

Faculty Honored for Service

Lobb and Childs Recognized for 40 years

Each year, ACC honors staff members for thier service to the college.  

This year Nancy Lobb (left) social science faculty and Don Childs, sports-human performance, faculty both were recognized for 40 years of service.    

Receiving their 35 year awards were Betty Graef, chemistry, faculty; Ginny Griggs, housekeeper; and Patricia Hertenberger, Dean, Pearland College Center & C.E.

Receiving 30 year awards were Antonio Arreola, grounds equipment operator; James Boler, math, faculty; Diane Flatland, respiratory care, faculty; Petra Lujan, housekeeper; Bette Nelson, math, faculty and Tim Reynolds, economics, faculty.

Receiving 25 year awards were Lynn Goswick, director, marketing & communications and Dora Sims, financial aid director.

ACC Court Reporting Students Honored

Deserving Students Receive Scholarships

The Bay Area Court Reporters Association of Texas (BACRAT) held an appropriately titled "All-Stars" Seminar for court reporters and students at the Alvin Community College Nolan Ryan Center on Aug. 13.

At the event, scholarships were awarded to students, including four very deserving ACC students. Monica Grassmuck and Courtney Whittington each received $1,250 through the Cindy Colvin Memorial Scholarship; Katelyn Fitch was awarded $1,250 through the Mandy LaCombe Scholarship and Esther Van Blarcom received $250 to put towards tuition and books.

Pictured left to right: Monica Grassmuck, Katelin Fitch, Courtney Whittington and Esther Van Blarcom.

Author Georgie Holbrook Teaches Wellness Coach Program at ACC

Two Free Sessions Offered to Community

Georgie Holbrook, a national holistic educator, emotional wellness coach and author of Joy-Full Holistic Remedies and The Rosacea - Acne Natural Remedy, will be teaching the Wellness Coach program at ACC starting in September.

Georgie has taught in universities, colleges, hospitals, businesses and churches across the country. She has been an instructor at three massage schools. 

There will be two FREE introductory class offered on September 20 in H 108 at noon and 6:30p.m. The session will focus on the underlying needs of the human body by making the connection between how emotions manifest in many physical health challenges and how they can be reversed.

The Wellness Coach program will begin September 30. Classes will run on Friday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. until October 22.

The wellness coach program goes through a series of steps to help students clear up any issues -physical or emotional -  that they may have. Through this process students find how to develop a plan that works for them and in-turn learn to teach others.

For more information on the Wellness Coach program please call Georgie Holbrook at (281)218-8773 or email georgie@joy-full.com or you can register by calling (281)756-3787 or online at www.alvincollege.edu/cewd .