Linn-Benton Community College

The Linn-Benton Community College Board of Education swore-in a new board member and selected a new board chair and vice-chair at its annual organizational meeting held July 20. Shelly Garrett, executive director of the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, was sworn-in as a new member. Corvallis dentist Keith Frome also joined the board this month. Frome will take the place of outgoing member Ann Brodie, Corvallis zone 6-7, and Garrett will replace Hal Brayton, Lebanon zone 4. Board members serve a four-year term. Board member Penny York, Corvallis zone 6-7, was selected as the new chair for 2011-2012. York has served on the board since May 2009. She retired from her position as director of the LBCC Benton Center in 2005. Cathrine Thomas, Sweet Home zone 1, was selected as vice-chair. Thomas has served on the board since 2009. She is employed as an administrative assistant for the Greater Albany Public School District. The LBCC Board of Education governs Linn-Benton Community College. Lin...

Oregon’s November revenue forecast offered little relief to Linn-Benton Community College’s $2.6 million shortfall in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The current year shortfall is a direct result of a reduction in state support from the originally appropriated $450.5 million to the current $416 million in support for Oregon’s 17 community colleges. “I, along with many others, had hoped that the $60 million increase in the recent forecast might provide us with some relief from this current year’s fiscal challenges,” stated LBCC President Greg Hamann. “But this increase amounts to less than one-half of one percent of total state revenue, so we do not anticipate any increase in state funding for LBCC.” The LBCC Board of Education approved a tuition increase of $7 per credit hour beginning winter term 2011 at its Wednesday, Nov. 19 meeting. The board has directed the college to make reductions in personnel costs and operations in addition to increasing tuition. “This tuition increase is the...

The Linn-Benton Community College Board of Education selected Claus Sass, Albany zones 2-3, as the new board chair for 2010-2011 at its annual organizational meeting held in July. Penny York, Corvallis zones 6-7A, was selected as vice-chair. Sass has been on the board since 2007. He retired as general manager from DLF International Seed. York joined the board in 2009. She retired from LBCC after serving as the Benton Center director. The LBCC Board of Education governs Linn-Benton Community College. Linn and Benton county residents elect the seven-member board, with members serving four-year terms. Additional board members are Hal Brayton, Ann Brodie, Ron Mason, Dick Running and Cathrine Thomas.