Wyoming Community Colleges Facing Cuts

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming's seven community colleges face staff and other cuts as the state copes with economic downturn.

Gov. Matt Mead has called on state agencies to trim budgets by 8 percent. Western Wyoming Community College has cut supplies, travel, conferences and events, left some vacant positions open and filled some at lower salaries than initially budgeted.

The Northern Wyoming Community College District will tap into its $500,000 reserves, cut five administrative positions and leave four vacant. Other colleges report similar steps.

Jim Rose, who is executive director of the Wyoming Community College Commission, says while funding may be down, enrollment could increase. People who have been laid off will be trying to learn new skills or find different work.