Supporters gathered at the future site of the Rayburn College Campus for the unveiling of the advertising campaign in favor of the proposition to join the Grayson County Junior College District to provide a Community College Campus in Fannin County. 

On May 8 the proposition will be put to the vote of all registered voters in Fannin County except those voters in Fannindel and Honey Grove Independent School Districts. 

Carl McEachern, who heads up the Rayburn College Campus PAC, said, “I strongly support joining the Grayson College District because the new campus will bring added businesses to the Fannin area while increasing the availability of an on-site trained work force. I’ve checked with other areas that have developed local community colleges.  They all are emphatic that the junior college has brought new business, employment, and vibrancy to the community.  A real estate broker told me that a new junior college moves the real estate in the area to a new level like nothing else can do.  All new businesses pay sales and property taxes and the increase in tax base may more than offset the small tax levied by the new college district. “

“Education counts,” Bonham ISD Superintendent Sonny Cruse said.  “It’s a sad fact that the average high school graduate cannot support a new family without additional vocational training or a practical college education.  The new Rayburn College will solve that problem.”

Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd said, “Joining the Grayson College District now means that we would share the asset base of Grayson College and its South Campus in Van Alstyne, that we would take advantage of funds of the GCC Foundation set aside for this expansion and that we would be the beneficiary of a $2 million dollar time-sensitive federal grant already won for this purpose.  Furthermore, Grayson College will make available course content and part-time instructors for existing plans of study that fit Rayburn College needs.  This is not a bad deal for the average family in Fannin County whose tax would increase less than the cost of a single fast food meal per month! The timely actions of this PAC and the will of its friends to take this project to completion now should be supported by everyone in Fannin County because it is the right thing to do.  If we don’t do it now when would be a better time?”

Bob Carrel and wife Kay, who donated the 100-acre campus site on US Hwy 82 just 1.6 miles west of State Hwy 121, said that in addition to the usual classrooms, labs, offices and library, the 100-acre campus is big enough to contain agriculture experimental plots and heavy labs for welding, mechanics, hydraulics, and waste water management. 

Dr. Carrel said that “high tech and electronics will continue to lead into the future.  I envision, for example, courses in the design of electronic control systems applied to the control of solar and nuclear power plants, to vehicles and transportation systems and to office, plant, theater and home management.  Rayburn College will provide courses in hospital and clinic information management.  Physical therapy and aging studies will be added to existing courses in nursing.  By the way, the campus is large enough for a natatorium that could be used for swim therapy and swimming for competition and recreation.  The campus will be tied together with a landscaped roadway and park system and plenty of secure parking.” 

Charles Butler reminded everyone that a public institution of higher learning is permitted to come to Fannin County only through petitioned entry into the Grayson County Junior College District (whose boundary is set by the State of Texas).  The RCC application has already been approved by the Trustees of the District, pending the outcome of the vote in Fannin County.   Butler says everyone should take advantage of the early vote period which started April 26 and continues through May 4, with Election Day on Saturday, May 8, 2010.