KCTCS president briefs budget subcommittee on flood response, workforce role and $90 million HB 6 capital plan

Dr. Ryan Quarles, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), told the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education that KCTCS is assisting campuses and students affected by recent flooding, continuing statewide workforce training, and is ready to move forward on three capital projects funded by last year's budget.

Quarles briefed the committee on systemwide flood impacts, immediate student aid and sheltering. "We're going to do everything possible to make sure that this disaster does not get in the way between you and stepping across stage on graduation day," Quarles said, describing emergency funds and local fundraising efforts for Big Sandy, Hazard and Southeast campuses. He said some faculty and staff have been displaced and that the Lee's College campus in Breathitt County with HCTC is being used as a shelter while the Mayo campus in Johnson County is working with the Red Cross; a 100-bed shelter was operating as of Wednesday.

The update included systemwide statistics and workforce activity. Quarles said KCTCS educates roughly 45% of Kentucky undergraduates, has about 7,000 students enrolled in credit-bearing programs at the moment and has…