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Western Piedmont Community College reports FTE gains and requests $650,000 county transfer for capital projects
Summary
Western Piedmont Community College reported a midyear budget in line with expectations and FTE growth; the college requested a $650,000 transfer from county reserves to cover capital needs including electrical panel replacements and a dental hygiene lab renovation.
Western Piedmont Community College told Burke County commissioners that the college’s midpoint finances are stable and that full‑time‑equivalent (FTE) enrollment increased this year, even though headcount fell slightly.
Sandy Hullman said the college’s combined budget was about $31.98 million with roughly 44% spent through Dec. 31, 2025. She reported a 4.9% FTE increase in the fall and a 9% FTE increase projected for the spring (as of Jan. 6), while headcount decreased 1.9%.
The college described capital work underway — replacement of Federal Pacific electrical panels in nine buildings (budgeted at $750,000 originally, with grant help of $400,000 from the Cannon Foundation), an Alpine Tower and ropes course rebuild (estimated near $325,000, pending insurance and FEMA), a chiller replacement for Fifer Hall, and a dental hygiene lab renovation that will add plumbing and electrical for clinical chairs.
Hullman said the college will request reimbursement from the county after invoices are paid and asked the county to transfer $650,000 from reserves into the operating fund so the college can proceed with these planned projects.
County staff confirmed the transfer request will appear as a budget amendment on the county agenda. The board held the item on the consent agenda for formal action at the regular meeting.
