It’s going to cost students an extra $2 per credit hour to take “for credit” classes through Mid-Plains Community College next year.

On Wednesday, the MPCC Board of Governors approved a 2.13 percent increase in resident tuition – raising the per credit hour rate from $79 to $81.

Fees will stay the same at $15 per credit hour. The total per credit hour tuition and fees will go from $94 to $96. Changes will affect the 2015-16 academic year beginning July 1.

Preliminary figures show MPCC will continue to rank in the middle when compared to what other community colleges in Nebraska may charge for tuition. The estimated average is $96.86 per credit hour for tuition and fees.

MPCC offers in-state tuition to students residing in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota.

Students not eligible for in-state tuition will see a similar rate increase. Fees will stay capped at $15 per credit hour, but tuition will bump up from $103 per credit hour to $105 per credit hour for the 2015-16 school year.

The Board also approved new room and board rates for 2015-16. In North Platte, rates will increase anywhere from 1.6 percent to 5.5 percent depending on the meal plan.

Those with a 10-meal plan will see their bills go up by $145 per semester. If students are on the 14-meal plan, the cost will increase by $60 per semester, and if they are on the 19-meal plan, they will pay an extra $50 per semester.

In McCook, room and board rates will increase by either 5.1 percent or 5.8 percent. Students with a 14-meal plan will pay an additional $160 per semester, and those with a 19-meal plan will be charged an extra $150 per semester.

“Utilities and operational expenses are the culprits for housing increases,” said Chuck Salestrom, area associate vice president of public information and marketing. “The meal plans are going to cost more due to the increases in food prices. As a result, we’re forced to pass those costs on to our students living in the residence halls.”

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lobbyists for Nebraska cities and school boards are fighting two bills that would require elected officials to disclose how they voted when picking leaders.

Both groups faced sharp questioning from senators Wednesday as a legislative committee considered the proposals.

Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion says the bills would ensure the public knows how lawmakers and other elected officials vote when choosing legislative committee chairmen, school board presidents and other leaders.

Some lawmakers say Kintner, a Republican, is attempting to impose party discipline on moderate GOP lawmakers in the nonpartisan Legislature, an allegation he denies.

The city and school board groups were grilled by committee members after arguing that the open votes for leadership roles could lead to conflicts among elected officials.