SCCTC to attempt to collect student debt

BY C.J. MARSHALL
Times-Shamrock Writer

The Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center School Board took steps last Wednesday (Feb. 3) to collect $116,522 owed by various adult members of the community to SCCTC.

As explained by Superintendent Kenneth Cuomo, the problem has been an on-going one for the past few years.

Certain adult members have signed up for classes at SCCTC, he explained, made a down payment for tuition, but later quit before completing classes. Many of these people still owe money for materials and supplies, but have failed to make the necessary payments.

As a result, on Cuomo’s recommendation, the board voted to enter into an Ability Recovery Services Agreement with Adult Student Collections in an attempt to collect the money owed to the district from the various parties.

Up to this point, he said, the district has done everything in its power to collect the money itself in a respectful manner. They’ve tried to work out a payment plan with the people that owe the money, but without much success.

The district will have to pay 25 percent of what is collected to the agency, but it will be better than not receiving any payment at all, he explained. If no money is collected, the district will not be charged.

Linda Hoover and Darlene Drake, two representatives from the Penn College of Technology in Williamsport, reported that a dual enrollment program which the district has been participating in for the past year has been running very well.

SCCTC students participating in the program have been obtaining college credits before they graduate from high school that can be used when they apply to college.

Hoover explained that students in 36 school districts throughout Pennsylvania are benefiting from the program by being able to obtain college credits in such subjects as health care, automotive, and welding.

Drake said that not only does the program help students prepare for a career when they graduate, but also gives them an advantage when they apply their course credits at a college of their choice. In addition, Penn College will also waive its application fee to students who have participated in the dual enrollment program.

Board President Arden Tewksbury had high praise for the program, saying it provides huge benefits by providing post secondary education opportunities to high school students before they graduate.

Following the meeting, SCCTC director Alice Davis, said students participating in the program do not physically attended Penn College in Williamsport.

The classes, she said, are given on the SCCTC campus, with the students benefiting from obtaining the college courses. She also said the credits the students earn can be applied at any college.

In other business, the board voted to set the first day of school, according to the 2016-2017 district calendar, as Monday, Aug. 29.