Lewis‑Clark State College asks JFAC for operational funds as enrollment rebounds, highlights LAUNCH and prison‑education gains

Lewis‑Clark State College President Cynthia Pemberton told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Jan. 27 that enrollment is rising, LAUNCH grant awards have boosted career‑technical programs and the college needs additional operational funding to address a persistent salary gap and campus operating costs.

The presentation by Budget and Policy Analyst Kevin Campbell (Legislative Services Office) set the college’s FY2025 base appropriation at $41,700,000 and noted that tuition and fee revenue is reappropriated across fiscal years; Campbell said Lewis‑Clark reported about $23,700,000 in tuition and fees in FY2024 that were reappropriated into FY2025. Campbell also explained the Normal School Endowment/Income Fund distributions referenced in statute and described the Enrollment Workload Adjustment (EWA) as a three‑year weighted credit‑hour formula that can increase or reduce an institution’s appropriation.

Why it matters: Pemberton told the committee LC State serves a high proportion of Pell‑eligible, first‑generation students and functions as “North Idaho’s health care education leader.” Committee members pressed for details about enrollment trends, budget drivers and how one‑time and ongoing enhancements are being used.

Enrollment, salary gap and…