County reassessing scholarship program

EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday looked into making some changes in the Public Benefit Community Scholarship Program.

While many of the requirements, like gradepoint averages, have yet to be ironed out, the consensus of the hoard was to offer more scholarships for smaller dollar amounts.

Supervisor Ryan Kelley first proposed talking about potential changes to the program toward the end of 2019.

One significant change would be to cut the $20,000 scholarship per district into two $10,000 scholarships, with one being for agriculture and the other being for nonagricultural.

But funding this amount for four years of college would be costly.

“The money has to be addressed, and (we need to) find what is manageable,” Kelley said. “What would be significant enough, and what could we afford to do?”

Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar proposed students have at least a 3.5 grade-point average to qualify for one of the scholarships and that they would be only for students attending a four-year college or university.

Escobar also recommended that the students applying for the scholarships only receive them upon being accepted into college.

He added that the finances of parents should play a role, as well. For instance, if the parents make $500,000 a year, the scholarship is probably not needed for the student to attend college.

Board Chairman Luis Plancarte said he wants to hear both the short- and long-term effects of the funds on the program.

Agriculture Director Carlos Ortiz said he also favors reducing the amount from $20,000 to $10,000.Supervisor Ray Castillo said some of the students will receive other scholarships, so he is also in favor of more scholarships for smaller amounts.

The board also discussed developing an internship program, where students could work for the county during summers and, after graduation, be assured that they would be offered a chance to work for the county for one year.

“These kids would be invited to come back and to work for the county,” Kelley said.

He also said the students who get a degree outside of agriculture would still be involved in a field that relates to the

agriculture industry in the Valley.

Imperial County Bureau Farm Executive Director Brea Mohamed told the board she thinks it is wonderful to expand the scholarships. She also pointed out the Ag Benefit Program is designated for agricultural purposes.

Imperial County Coalition of Labor, Agri

cultural and Business Executive Director Kay Pricola said her organization provided 17 scholarships last year with the amounts ranging from $750 to $2,000.

Scholarship gradepoint requirement for high school was 3.2 and for college it was a 3.0, she said. Kelley thinks it would be great to have something in place for

graduates wanting to return to the county.

“I am trying to create something of a scholarship,” Kelley said.

He added the foundation for this needs to be built and the county should be the one doing that.The county will iron out all the details before it brings the final version back to the supervisors for a vote.