Bring us a community college
This is in response to the news that the Community College of Allegheny County is planning a satellite location in Donora. In the mid-1990s, Washington County’s commissioners explored the idea of starting a community college in the county.
They decided there were adequate post-secondary opportunities available for county residents. They obviously were wrong. In addition to the proposed Donora location, CCAC offers classes at Washington Crown Center and Beaver County Community College offers classes at Southpointe.
The shame belongs to the county commissioners, elected school boards and school superintendents who, over the last 20 years, have done nothing to bring local post-secondary education to the southwest corner of Pennsylvania.
CCAC’s tuition is doubled for students who live outside Allegheny County, and some courses are offered only in Allegheny County. Every minute spent traveling takes time away from study, work or family. The cost is not in dollars only.
Free public post-secondary education is gaining support. It is time for elected officials in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties to step up and do what they should have done 20 years ago and bring us a community college.
Martha M. Quimby
Washington