How County Supervisor Perceptions and Education Level Affect Local Community College Funding

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine whether a significant correlation exists between a locally-elected supervisor’s perceptions about their local community college and their education level and the level of local tax support provided to the community college in their area. There were 3 research hypotheses established. A self-developed survey was used to gather supervisor perceptions in the following areas: 1) community college courses, programs, and workforce training services, 2) job attainment of students after attending the local community college, and 3) how well the local community college manages its resources. Additional information was gathered for inclusion in the research analysis in the areas of a supervisors’ educational level and the last time a supervisor visited the campus of the local community college.

The study showed that, of the 5 predictor variables analyzed, only 1 was statistically significant. A supervisor’s perception on how well a community college does in promoting the courses, programs, and workforce training services has a statistically significant relationship to the amount of millage supported by that supervisor for allocation to the local community college. The remaining predictor variables of job attainment of students after attending the local community college, how well the local community college manages its current resources, a supervisor’s education level, and the last visit a supervisor made to the local community college all showed not to be statically significant in predicting the financial level at which a supervisor may support the local community college.