Board to vote Thursday to begin planning process

A merger/consolidation between Jefferson Davis and Faulkner State community colleges may be in the works.

The move is one of three mergers/consolidations up for discussion by the state’s community college system board Thursday.

Details on the process and timeline for the move are not known as JDCC Interim President Dr. William “Bill” Blow told The Brewton Standard, “I think it would be premature to comment until after the meeting.

“The agenda is out and typically the chancellor will now seek permission to begin the planning phase,” he said.

The board is expected to approve a resolution to do just that, which would also allow for notification of its decision to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Faulkner State’s main campus is in Bay Minette, but it also has campuses in Gulf Shores and Fairhope.

Blow met with JDCC staff Monday and city leaders Tuesday to outline the plan and said there are a number of steps that must be accomplished before the decision is made.

The ACCS work session agenda describes the consolidation/merger as an action item for the Dec. 10 meeting and outlines the joining of the other following institutions:

• Alabama Southern and Reid State community colleges; and,

• Central Alabama, Southern Union State and Chattahoochee Valley community colleges.