BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College enrollment is down 203 students, about 5 percent from this time last year, according to a report distributed Wednesday at a BC3 board meeting.

Total enrollment stands at 4,210 students, with 2,180 attending full-time and 2,030 attending part-time.

“The good news is that early enrollment for the spring semester is up from this time last year,” said Nick Neupauer, president.

Enrollments at community colleges statewide have dropped following a surge in 2009-10, Neupauer said.

One hundred fewer Butler County residents are enrolled now than in December 2010, according to the report. County residents still comprise the majority at the school, 2,674 students, including full-time, part-time, online and high school enrollments.

Enrollment also fell in classes for high school students to gain college credits. Outside of Butler County, the school lost 74 students, about 30 percent of enrollment, from this time last year. Tuition funding for those programs was cut from the state’s 2011-12 budget.

In Lawrence County, enrollment is down by 34 students to 612 from December 2010. Only the Mercer County BC3 campus gained enrollment, with 10 additional students. The Mercer campus has 357 students. Students who live outside of Butler County pay higher tuition than those who live here.

Enrollments of students from other counties and other states also fell in the past year.

BC3’s income from student fees and tuition is down $352,000 overall from what was expected, said Jim Hrabosky, vice-president of administration and finance. At the same time, the college cut expenses by $434,000, so it’s operation budget remains about $82,000 ahead.

In other financial matters,

n The auditing firm Maher Duessel gave the college a “clean audit’ for 2010-11

n BC3 moved $400,000 from its operating fund to its capital reserve fund

n BC3 is considering a real estate purchase in Lawrence County

The board agreed to buy Lumens Learning Management Software for $79,500 to provide online registration, new certifications and other services for continuing education classes.

The software is produced by Augusoft, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn. Going forward it will require payment of a $20,000 annual license fee.