John Wood board passes budget, honor’s Conover’s contributions
Published 4:03 pm Tuesday, June 23, 2026
QUINCY — During a regular meeting on Monday, the John Wood Community College Board of Trustees approved a budget of $19,608,087 for fiscal year 2026-27.
The tentative, balanced budget is $41,396 more than the previous year.
This year, the board did increase costs for tuition at the school. Credit-hour costs will increase by $5 in the next year.
The majority of revenue for the school comes from student enrollment, with tuition and fees accounting for 43% of total revenue. Corporate and personal property taxes make up 41%, while state funding accounts for 9% of the school’s budget. The final 7% comes from other sources including outside grant dollars.
Ahead of the budget vote, trustees heard a special report on efforts to expand career and technical education in high schools and increase workforce training that is tailored to meet the specific needs of regional employers.
JWCC President Dr. Aron Potter is leading the initiative in the hopes of creating additional pathways that would allow students to earn industry-recognized credentials while still in high school while also helping incumbent workers gain new skills that support career advancement.
One of the focal points of the initiative is to build on the opportunities presented by JWCC’s Workforce Development Center and the curriculum established for technical career fields.
Former Dean of Career and Technical Education Phil Conover, who served the college from 2007 to 2012, laid the groundwork for such an initiative by strengthening partnerships with regional manufacturers and working alongside faculty, staff, and industry leaders to create programs that addressed workforce needs and created opportunities for students to enter high-demand careers.
The board on Monday heard that the JWCC Foundation will establish the Conover Career and Technical Education Fund to honor Conover’s vision and decades of advocacy. Working alongside Potter, foundation leaders, and economic development representatives, Conover plans to continue his support of expanding opportunities in skilled trades and technical careers for students and workers throughout the region.
“Phil Conover is a legend in many ways,” Potter said. “We are proud that he has allowed us to honor him while continuing to lend his expertise and passion to our efforts. John Wood serves as the bridge between students and employers. It is our responsibility to expand it so more students, workers and businesses can thrive in the future.”
In other business, the board:
• Authorized entry into a one-year sublease agreement with the Regional Office of Education for space at the college’s Southeast Education Center.
• Adopted the 2026-27 College Catalog and Student Handbook.
