Branson joins OTC taxing district

Branson voters yesterday approved an initiative to join Ozarks Technical Community College’s taxing district.

With 61 percent, the city voted in the measure allowing residents to receive in-district tuition at OTC. Starting this summer, students in Branson will pay the in-district tuition rate of $95 per credit hour, compared to the out-of-district rate of $142.50, according to a news release.

“With Tuesday’s vote, OTC can strengthen its current programs and look to provide new opportunities for students seeking medical and technical education,” said Cliff Davis, president of the OTC Table Rock campus, in the release.

Summer classes for OTC students begin June 1.

Last month, OTC and Missouri State University signed a memorandum of understanding allowing OTC students to complete an MSU bachelor’s degree at the Table Rock campus, according to a separate news release.

Under the agreement, OTC students can complete a bachelor’s in communication or English with an emphasis in professional writing. MSU classes at OTC’s Table Rock campus start in August.