RESEARCH VALLEY PARTNERSHIP PETITIONS FOR NEW COLLEGE DISTRICT

  

Brazos County residents that headed to the polls yesterday (Tuesday) were faced with an issue that could directly effect Blinn College.

Representatives with the Research Valley Partnership (RVP) were at voting locations asking for signatures for a petition that calls for a new community college district in Brazos County.

The committee has said there are not enough training options in Brazos County for industries such as electrical, welding, auto mechanics, and plumbing. In a press release Friday, the group said the new college district approved by voters "could allow for either a partnership with other technical workforce providers, a creation of a new college, or a change in governance or control of existing Blinn College operations in Brazos County."

Officials with Blinn College released a response statement on Friday, saying that given Blinn’s demonstrated commitment to Brazos County, a new community college represents an unnecessary burden for local taxpayers and would be a step backward for local educational services.

The RVP’s Talent Pipeline Initiative Steering Committee needs 10 percent of the Brazos County’s registered voters to sign the petition by January, so they can present it to the Higher Education Coordinating Board. The signed petition would pave the way for the county commissioners to call an election for the creation of a new community college district.