MS HB1502

Appropriates $239,634,514 from State General Fund and $40,002,804 from Education Enhancement Fund for public community and junior colleges for fiscal year 2016 (July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016), reaching one-half of the mid-level funding commitment from Senate Bill 2364 (2007).

Distributes funds based on full-time equivalency (FTE) of student enrollment with weighted formulas: Academic and Technical programs at 1.0 weight, Virtual Community College at 0.50 weight, and Associate Degree Nursing and Allied Health at 1.19 weight.

Appropriates additional funds for employee life and health insurance ($23,761,000 plus $730,000), Workforce Development Centers ($4,500,000), Sign Language Interpreter Training ($179,050), Education Technology Program ($7,099,160), Advanced Training Centers ($2,250,000), Associate Degree Nursing and Allied Health Programs ($2,556,922), and dropout recovery pilot initiative ($1,500,000).

Allocates $5,000,000 from Capital Expense Fund for construction, repair and renovation projects distributed among the 15 participating community and junior colleges.

Establishes performance measures for GED awards, credit degrees and certificates, licensure exam pass rates, dual enrollment headcount, and developmental education completion rates with specific targets for fiscal year 2016.