(a) The Texas Education Code, §130.013 and §130.036, requires the Board to consider the needs and the welfare of the state as a whole, the geographic location of existing colleges, as well as the welfare of the community involved, before authorizing an election to create a new community/junior college district. The Board shall determine whether programs in a proposed community/junior college district will create unnecessary duplication or seriously harm programs in existing community/junior college districts.
(b) The Board shall apply the following criteria when considering the creation of a new community/junior college district:
(1) Demographic and economic characteristics of the proposed district, such as:
(2) Potential student clientele, including:
(3) The financial status of the proposed district and the state as a whole, including:
(4) Projected programs and services based on economic and population trends.
(5) Proximity and impediments to programs and services of existing institutions of higher education, such as:
(6) Alternative approaches to meeting the need for educational services in the proposed community/junior college district include, but are not limited to:
(c) The Board's Committee on Community and Technical Colleges may conduct one or more public hearings in the proposed district to:
(1) assess public sentiment regarding creation of the district;
(2) determine whether programs in the proposed district would create unnecessary duplication or seriously harm programs in existing community/junior college districts or other institutions of higher education in the area; and
(3) assess the potential impact of the proposed district on existing community/junior colleges or other institutions of higher education in the area and on the State of Texas.
(d) After the feasibility study and other documentation and information have been reviewed by the Committee on Community and Technical Colleges and Board staff, a report from the Board staff shall be submitted to the Commissioner indicating whether the criteria as set out in §8.32 of this title (relating to Standards and Board Procedure for Approval) have been met. The report shall also include a recommendation for approval or denial of the request for approval to hold an election to create a public community/junior college district, but shall not be binding on the Commissioner or the Board.
Source Note: The provisions of this §8.32 adopted to be effective June 2, 1998, 23 TexReg 5669; amended to be effective December 26, 1999, 24 TexReg 11320