The Houston Community College Board of Trustees adopted revised service plans for North Forest and Spring Branch school districts August 20, 2009. The proposed HCC service plans for both the Spring Branch and North Forest communities represent a commitment by HCC to expand programs and partnerships, cut tuition, increase services and improve access to higher education.
The HCC Board of Trustees also unanimously adopted an order to call a special election to be held Tuesday, November 3 for the annexation of the Spring Branch and North Forest communities into the HCC district. Community-based groups, volunteers and students successfully petitioned for annexation in May and June.
HCC has been serving Spring Branch area residents since 1986.
The Spring Branch Campus at 1010 W. Sam Houston Parkway North represents a $35 million capital investment, creating a new set of academic, workforce and continuing education facilities for the community.
In addition, HCC spends $16 million in annual operational investments. The Spring Branch Campus will be a catalyst for redevelopment in the area, following the Memorial City/Memorial Herman project and the new City Centre development. HCC has been serving North Forest area residents since 1971. Eight-hundred North Forest residents attended campuses that serve the community during the 2007-2008 academic year.
The highest percentage impact was represented by North Forest high school students who enrolled in Dual Credit courses. Since 2005, residents of North Forest have saved $350,000 in HCC Board approved waivers for North Forest juniors and seniors enrolled in the Dual Credit program.
Over 1,137 courses have been offered for students who completed as many as 12 semester credit hours that are transferable to a university. HCC currently employs 72 residents of the North Forest community.