Northampton Community College presents $85.5M budget; Saucon Valley sponsorship request set at $282,000

Northampton Community College representatives briefed the Saucon Valley School Board on the college’s preliminary 2026–27 budget and local sponsorship request during the March 10 meeting.

Dave Ruth, president of Northampton Community College, introduced the delegation and cited steady enrollment growth and strong job placement rates for graduates. He credited expanded trades programs and dual‑enrollment partnerships with district high schools for part of the growth.

CFO Jason Loblaw presented the preliminary operating budget at $85.5 million and a capital budget of $8.7 million. He said revenue inputs for next fiscal year total $2.7 million — a 3.25% increase — and that tuition and fees account for roughly 57% of the college’s revenue mix, with state appropriations about 25% and sponsoring school districts roughly 11%.

Loblaw noted a projected $300,000 gap the college expects to close before the board approves a final budget in May. He outlined a $12 per credit‑hour tuition increase and described residency pricing tiers (in‑county, out‑of‑county, out‑of‑state/international) tied to state statute. He also showed a sponsorship request table with Saucon Valley’s share at $282,000 — about $8,500 below this year’s allocation — driven by changes in the sponsor district FTE mix.

Board members asked for historical FTE and referral trend data to put the sponsorship change in context. Administrators said details would be provided on request as the college and district continue budget discussions ahead of the May trustees’ vote.

No formal board vote on sponsorship occurred at the meeting; the college said it will return with materials and noted the district’s continued role as a sponsoring partner.