Higher education

Federal money eased the budget pain at Blue Ridge Community College and other schools, but the sting will be far sharper next year when the stimulus well runs dry, officials said Tuesday.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine slashed state money to Virginia’s 23 community colleges by 14 percent this year, but stimulus money halved that.

Next year, with demand for services and enrollment increasing, schools expect to feel a far harder pinch.

“When it comes to individuals and families we are the recovery plan,’’ said Jeff Kraus, assistant vice chancellor for public relations for the Virginia Community College System. “We are where folks are coming to start and restart their careers.”

That is certainly the case at Blue Ridge, which is reporting a 14 percent increase this year in full-time equivalency enrollment to 2,889 students.

Overall, the head count at the Weyers Cave campus is up 10 percent to 4,874, said Bridget Baylor, Blue Ridge spokeswoman.

John Downey, Blue Ridge’s new president, said the community college is managing a leaner budget this year through attrition, good planning and strategic hiring.

“The challenge will be next year,’’ Downey said. “How do we address the cuts?”

Downey said Blue Ridge is down three faculty positions and 15 staff positions from cuts that began 18 months ago.

“In some cases we are filling with wage employees,’’ he said. “That frees up more seasoned employees. Everyone has more class sizes.”

Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, said community colleges can manage the budget crunch for a short time.

“Hopefully, the economy can rebound. Now, the options are limited because there are finite resources and more demand.”

Hanger said a last resort for him would be raising the community college tuition.

“We have done a good job of keeping community colleges reasonable. I don’t want to deny entry because of high tuition,’’ he said.

For an full-time student taking 30 credit hours, tuition rose $196.50 this year, Kraus said.

With tuition and fees, an in-state full-time student will spend $3,024 this year.

Downey said it is too soon to speculate on the 2010-11 budget. He said the objective is to keep delivering the product.

“We’ll maintain the essential services in the community and the workforce as best we can,’’ he said.

While there are challenges, Downey said Blue Ridge is aware that “the same cuts are happening in families all across our service area.”