STEUBENVILLE — With money running out, members of the board of trustees at Eastern Gateway Community College have signaled the school’s days are numbered.

After meeting Wednesday, trustees said they’ll have to dissolve EGCC barring a significant influx of cash by May 31 — unlikely, given the school’s strained relations with the U.S. Department of Education, which slow-tracked millions in student aid cash reimbursements, as well as the grilling trustees got in November when they asked the state Controlling Board for a multi-million-dollar cash advance to get them through the spring semester.

Since then, administrative offices have been raided and a multitude of records and computers seized and, under pressure by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the trustees last month announced enrollment beyond the spring term was being “paused” so EGCC administrators could try to right the ship.

“It is heartbreaking to know the finality of the actions taken yesterday by our Eastern Gateway Community College board of trustees,” John Crooks, interim president of the embattled school, said Thursday. “It was based on our inability to fix the financial issues resulting from being placed on a reimbursement program by the U.S. Department of Education that held up payment for students we had enrolled and educated. We continue to work with the (DOE) to resolve those issues.”

EGCC Education Association President Jim Corrin said his members aren’t ready to comment on the potential dissolution, but said his own assessment is that “overall, reality is settling in.”

“I think there are going to be opportunities, for our faculty and our staff, to have an opportunity to hopefully get employment with Youngstown State University,” Corrin said. “The YSU brand is going to be in Jefferson County, and that’s going to be a big draw for the Pittsburgh area, West Virginia and that part of Ohio.

“If there’s a silver lining, that’s it — that it’s going to bring opportunities to residents and students in Jefferson County.”

As of Thursday afternoon, EGCC spokesmen were unable to confirm reports the school is pulling out of the Higher Learning Commission’s accreditation process. The college, on HLC’s probation list for more than two years, had until November to correct its deficiencies.

Crooks, though, did say “our academics are finishing in a very strong position, with more than 5,000 graduates this academic year.”

“For those who must transfer, we are working with Youngstown State University first and foremost, coupled with a multitude of other institutions to finish their degree programs in a seamless manner,” he added.

“Our focus on student success will continue.”

Corrin said the situation is a sad state of affairs, “especially for long-term employees.”

“Some of our members have been there since 1975,” he said. “There’s a lot of emotions. That community college has been a staple in the community, but I honestly believe YSU is a great institution (and) it’s nice to hear that they’re still going to offer certificate programs and associate degree programs.”

“I think, from the feedback I’m getting from our faculty — the dean of STEM at YSU is meeting with our program leaders to get a feel for what’s going on for our classes — it sounds like our administrators are working diligently behind the scenes with YSU administrators to make this a seamless transition,” he added.