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Monday, 09 March 2009 |
 Amador County - A spending bill making its way through the U.S. Senate could authorize nearly $240,000 in funds to bolster Amador County’s fledgling Community College program. “This appropriation would provide a significant shot-in-the¬ arm to the ongoing and long term process of establishing a community college presence in Amador County,” said Amador County Administrative Officer Terri Daly. She has been working closely with the Amador Community College Foundation throughout the two-year effort on public outreach and encouraging local and regional support. “Senator Dianne Feinstein spearheaded this effort, and we owe her many thanks,” said Daly. The Democratic Senator has made it a priority of her office to secure federal funds through the College Preparation Initiative to provide local educational programming. The request was also strongly supported by Senator Barbara Boxer, who has previously assisted with efforts to enhance the community college presence in Amador County. Last July, College Foundation president and former Supervisor Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Richard Vinson stated, “Senator Feinstein recognizes the importance of higher education opportunities for California's rural communities and has long been supportive of Amador County's educational initiative. We are grateful for the leadership and involvement of Senators Feinstein and Boxer and their professional staff on this issue of great importance to our region.” Progress so far has resulted in a cooperative effort with Consumnes River College, which currently supplies instructors to teach in classrooms belonging to the Amador Unified School District and supplied to the Amador Learning Center. The ultimate goal is to rectify the fact that Amador is the only county in the state not to be associated with any community college district. Learning Center officials say this denies higher education opportunities and provides little incentive for young adults to remain in the area. "Outward migration of students to colleges and workers to jobs outside the county economically drains resources in, and shifts tax-based income away from Amador County,” said center officials through their website. The Amador Community College Foundation and Amador County urge residents to enroll in the currently offered classes to demonstrate local interest and a need for a formal community college presence. Story by Alex Lane
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