BusinessReport.com

Setting it straight

To the publisher:

Your column, “Beware the year-end actions,” [“Publisher’s View,” Dec. 3] painted a distorted picture of the current state of the Louisiana Technical College, failed to include critical points necessary for thoughtful analysis, and culminated in a knee-jerk conclusion that could not be more misguided.

First, the Bond Commission is being asked to consider approving bonds to fund investments in Louisiana Technical College campuses and community college campuses in accordance with Act 391 of the 2007 Legislature. This $173 million investment in the future of the Louisiana work force passed unanimously through both houses of the Legislature. The projects were approved by the Louisiana Community & Technical College System Board of Supervisors and endorsed by the Louisiana Board of Regents. There is no “move afoot.” Rather, this is simply the next step in a thoughtfully considered, transparent process that has been resoundingly supported throughout.

Second, the failed system is not the LTC, but the “broken and archaic” capital outlay process. The LTC has received no significant capital investment in nearly a decade. Most of the projects to be funded have a condition index in excess of 75%, meaning the cost to repair exceeds 75% of replacement costs. Many of your readers have seen the modern, smartly constructed campus of Baton Rouge Community College. Some may have seen the similar campuses of South Louisiana Community College and Bossier Parish Community College. Each of these institutions, like most of the new state complex buildings downtown, was constructed through non-traditional financing. These projects are overseen by a board of directors and follow a streamlined yet accountable process that most private sector entities would consider smart government.

Last, the Louisiana Technical College has just undergone its second major restructuring in eight years. The last thing the system needs is another disruption. Instead, the new energy evident in the system that has resulted in a nearly 20% growth in enrollment needs to be nurtured. The smart administration that has reduced central office administrative costs by 75% and redirected the resources to the classroom needs to be supported. The devotion to excellence that has resulted in nearly every technical program in the state achieving industry based accreditation should be praised. And the responsiveness that has prepared more than 10,000 new certified entrants into the construction industry should be rewarded.

Without question, there is much more to do in the way of improving LTC operations, both internally and externally. The internal improvements are well under way, and a visit to the LTC campus on North Acadian could be enlightening for you. Externally, until we develop a funding formula that incents growth aligned with market priorities and develop flexible, modern, multi-use facilities, our ability to continue to progress will be hindered.

Jim Henderson, LCTCS Senior Vice President, Career and Technical Education, Baton Rouge