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JACKSON – The Northampton Board of Commissioners considered increasing their funding to Roanoke-Chowan Community College during their meeting on Monday, Feb. 17, but agreed to hold off on making a decision until they received more information.

Earlier this month, RCCC President Dr. Murray Williams spoke before the board to share information on how the college is serving the local community, including Northampton County.

During that presentation, she noted that they have served almost 800 citizens from Northampton County in the past three years, including not only traditional curriculum students but also those seeking GEDs or continuing education.

Among other stats, Dr. Williams reported that overall enrollment continues to climb, graduation rates were the top amongst the state’s community colleges, and performance measures of student success have increased as well.

She concluded that presentation by explaining that, while funding from Northampton County has increased in recent years, it doesn’t match the percentage of students from the county that the college serves. She stated that if the county increased their funding to equal the percentage of Northampton students served, then that would be an additional increase of approximately $85,000 (bringing the total contribution to $195,000).

Since the earlier meeting of the month was a non-voting meeting for the commissioners, they included the request on their Feb. 17 agenda.

“They’re facing a shortfall this year,” said Board Chair Ed Martin about RCCC’s request at Monday’s meeting.

He said the board needed to consider first if they wanted to contribute those extra funds, and then if they wanted to continue making their annual funding contribution match the percentage of Northampton County students served.

Commissioner Melvetta Broadnax Taylor said she still had questions and wanted to know more detailed numbers for Northampton County students, such as a breakdown of how many students come from which areas of the county. She noted that Halifax Community College serves the western half of Northampton.

She also stated that she wanted to know who specifically was being served before she’d feel comfortable adding more funds.

“What enrollment strategies have they implemented to get our kids from that end of the county to come to their school,” Broadnax Taylor also asked.

“I definitely think more information would be helpful,” agreed Commissioner Keedra Whitaker.

She noted that RCCC has an educational building in Rich Square, but it seems to be rarely used.

“One of my concerns, as a representative of that area, is the lack of activity that’s going on,” she explained.

Whitaker emphasized that the commissioners want to be good stewards of the county’s money and therefore they should have as much information as possible before making a decision.

Martin asked the board members and any citizens to send him their questions, and he would submit them to RCCC for answers.

“I do think it’s important that we support them,” Martin said, but agreed that they shouldn’t just hand over a “blank check” without more information.

“Education is the key that can break generational poverty,” Whitaker added, noting that answers to their questions will ensure that the funds are spent well.

The board unanimously agreed to table the decision until their March 17 meeting.