HC President Dr. Cheryl Sparks said the recently concluded session was economically beneficial to her institution.

“We had a very successful session,” Sparks said. “Howard College actually ... will see an increase in its appropriation from the state.”

Legislators decided to include Howard in the Small School Allotment, which funnels funds toward qualifying smaller community colleges and universities. With that decision, HC will receive a little more than $1 million extra over the course of the next two years, Sparks said.

College officials have not yet decided how to spend the windfall, she added.

SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf also benefited from the recent legislative session.

“SWCID will receive an additional $732,000 the next two years,” Sparks said. “That extra money will allow us to expand our online and distance learning programs. Some of the money will also go to the career center and to enhance our communication system.”

The session also continued funding for community college insurance benefits. Texas Gov. Rick Perry vetoed those payments two years ago, although they were eventually restored by the Legislative Budget Board.

Another area of encouragement from state officials was a growing support for increased vocational training.

Sparks said Howard College will be eligible for grants through Jobs and Education for Texas, which provides money for community colleges to establish or enhance their vocation training programs.

Sparks said this was an area local officials were examining very closely.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it