The Northeast Texas Community College Board of Trustees accepted verified petitions calling for an annexation election to be held in Winnsboro ISD at its regular meeting on Tuesday. Cheryl Ford, Winnsboro business owner, presented the petitions to the board.

At the same meeting, the NTCC Board also unanimously approved the service plan which calls for creation of an Education Center in Winnsboro. A public hearing will be held in Winnsboro on July 21. The venue and time of the hearing have yet to be determined.

“We are thrilled that some citizens of Winnsboro are interested in becoming a part of the NTCC district. Our primary goal at this point will be to inform the community about the process of annexation and to outline the services that would be offered if this happens.

Only the local voters can decide what is right for Winnsboro ISD,” Dr. Brad Johnson, NTCC President, said.

If passed by voters, annexation into the NTCC district would mean a local education center, two complete programs of study (Vocational Nursing and Recording Technology), permanent full time staff, and a complete set of services would be available in the city of Winnsboro.  The annexation would also mean the addition of a 10¢ per $100 assessed property tax. This means that the owner of an average-priced home of $90,000 (with a $5,000 homestead exemption) would pay $85 a year in NTCC taxes.