VALDOSTA — Valdosta Technical College is prepared to cut as much as 10 percent from the 2009 Fiscal Year Budget.

Fresh off the declaration from Gov. Sonny Perdue that the Georgia educational systems would feel the budget crunch, the Technical College System of Georgia told its colleges to prepare for a 6, 8 or 10 percent cut.

The more than $16 million budget that was approved at Thursday’s VTC Board meeting could be trimmed in early September when the TCSG Board meets.

The budget cuts would include trimming open positions in administrative areas, contract work reductions and travel reductions, said Keren Wynn, vice president for administrative services.

The college has already saved $22,000 by not renewing the contract with the security firm hired to write parking tickets at the school.

The parking tickets are now handled by law enforcement majors and overseen by that department, Wynn said.

With the 6 or 8 percent cut, all employees would be required to take two day furloughs — off days without pay — to save additional funds.

If the cut to the budget is 10 percent, the furlough would stretch to three days, Wynn said.

President F.D. Toth said that the cuts still have to be approved by the system office in Atlanta for them to go into effect.

The construction currently in progress at VTC will not be affected by the cuts because the money for the work is in bonds specifically allocated for the project, Toth said.

In other news:

• Due to the pending budget cuts, Harvest Ed has been canceled for this year, said Angela Crance, vice president of business and industry services.

• The Medical Coding/Insurance Data Entry Specialist degree has been changed to Medical Coding and Insurance Specialist degree to incorporate more coding classes and a more diverse core class program.

• Time Jones, VTC chair of trustees, said naming opportunities for the VTC buildings and new classrooms are available. Sponsors must donate a minimum of $1 million for a building, $50,000 for a lab room and $20,000 for a class.

• Crance said the Gathering of Eagles, Business and Leadership Development Symposium is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2009 at VTC. The program will bring in keynote speakers from a variety of business backgrounds. Seats can be reserved now.