Community colleges suffer as economy improves - Chris Kenning, Courier Journal

Kentucky’s improving economy is driving sharp declines in community college enrollment, leading to staff reductions, budget cuts and, in Louisville, fears it may slow efforts to raise educational attainment. Statewide, enrollment is expected to fall to about 81,000 this fall — a 25 percent reduction from its peak of 108,301 in 2011, according to system officials. Jefferson Community and Technical College declined to project fall enrollment because it's not final, but said its numbers fell from 15,259 in 2010 to 13,667 last year. So far that has forced the state system to slash $36 million in expenses this year, including cutting 262 teachers and staff member positions and reducing programs and offerings, said KCTCS President Jay Box. Some of the biggest enrollment declines have been seen in Eastern Kentucky, he said. http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/education/2015/09/02/community-college-enrollment-falling/71566434/