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Richmond Community College requests county support, highlights CDL program growth in Scotland County

Scotland County Board of Commissioners · February 19, 2026

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Summary

Richmond Community College presented a county budget request that includes a $7,554 county‑funded staff salary adjustment and increased costs tied to a new CDL training facility. The college reported an 18% growth in Scotland County students since 2021 and 237 Early College High School students at Covington Street.

Brent Barbee, speaking for Richmond Community College, told Scotland County commissioners on Feb. 18 that the college's board has approved a budget request that asks the county to cover a modest salary adjustment for locally funded staff and to accommodate increased operating costs tied to a new CDL facility and expanded local services.

Barbee said the requested county contribution for salary increases for county‑funded staff is $7,554 and that the largest portion of the college’s increase is for a new Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) facility being built on property donated by the airport authority. He said the project was on schedule and expected to be finished around March 30 to early April, with contractors completing utilities and interior finishes.

On programs, Barbee highlighted that RCC started the local CDL program in 2022 and has graduated over 400 CDL drivers since then. He also described growth in dual‑enrollment and early‑college participation: he cited 1,768 Scotland County students in 2021 and said the college had seen an 18% increase (about 323 students) through 2024–25. He said 237 Early College High School students are located at the Covington Street site and emphasized strong partnerships with Scotland County Schools.

Commissioners questioned how funding flows for early‑college classes are split; Barbee explained that K–12 funding for those students comes through average daily membership (ADM) to the school system while the college receives per‑class funds only when students take college classes as dual‑enrollment.

What’s next: Commissioners thanked RCC and will review the budget request as part of county budget deliberations.