text: CFCC announces staff reduction after budget, enrollment declines - News - Wilmington Star News - Wilmington, NC
  CFCC announces staff reduction after budget, enrollment declines
  It was not immediately clear Tuesday how many positions would be impacted.
  WILMINGTON -- Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) announced Tuesday that it will not be renewing some staff positions because of an anticipated budget decrease.
  "The administration recognizes the talent and expertise of the staff members whose positions are being eliminated and is hopeful to retain as many of the employees in other open positions as possible," the release stated.
  The college did not specify how many positions would be eliminated or where they would be coming from. A spokeswoman did not immediately respond to an email or phone calls seeking further clarification on the non-renewals.
  Tuesday's statement also said non-renewal of staff contracts were tied to enhanced technologies and streamlined processes.
  During a November 2017 board meeting, Jim Morton, the then-interim president who has since assumed the role on a permanent basis, told the trustees total enrollment at the college had dipped for six consecutive years beginning in the 2011-12 school year. A slide on that presentation listed "Experienced Faculty & Staff" as the college's top strength, with "declining enrollment" and "declining budget" as weaknesses.
  In a statement announcing the non-renewals, Morton said, "Our college remains healthy and strong."
  In an email to staff Tuesday, Morton said all staff affected by the changes would be informed by May 31. He also encouraged employees to apply for open positions within the college.
  "I recognize the talent and expertise of the staff members whose positions are being eliminated. I am hopeful to retain as many of these employees in other open positions as possible," Morton wrote.
  Members of the college's Board of Trustees were recently told budgets cuts could be imminent.
  "The only thing I can tell you is we were anticipating having some funding cuts, and that those cuts were going to be met by efficiencies, and what I heard a couple weeks ago was the possibility of not renewing some contracts," said Patricia Kusek, a member of the board and a New Hanover County commissioner.