Written 12/8/06

Story by Julie Haas

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — According to a recently published report from Standard & Poor’s titled AAA-Rated Credits in U.S. State & Local Government Finance, Johnson County Community College continues to maintain the highest bond ratings, AAA.

Only 21 school districts in the nation, including five community college districts and one technical college district, had their government obligation debt rated AAA.

According to the report, general characteristics of AAA districts include growing tax bases and proximity to economic centers, very high wealth indices, strong management practices with a focus on multi-year planning, strong financial position, management of debt burden and appropriate ratios and rankings for average overall net debt per capita, average per capita market value and average general fund balance as a percentage of operating expenditures.

“Several years ago, the finance committee and the board of trustees wisely adopted a policy setting a minimum unallocated cash balance reserve for the general fund,” said Larry Tyree, JCCC interim president. “This action is certainly a major determining factor in the college’s AAA rating.”