Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.
Can Community College Organizations Reach
Agreement on a 2000 Budget Package?
The California Community College Board of Governors (BOG) has approved a
budget package for 2000-01 that totals more than $530 million for local
assistance. The highlights of the BOG budget proposal include:
Unfortunately, faculty organizations, management organizations and the Chancellor's Office have not been able to reach consensus on the system's budget proposal. Faculty organizations are proposing that categorical funding in the amount of $50 million be set aside for part-time faculty (pro-rata pay). They would also like a portion of Partnership for Excellence dollars dedicated for full-time faculty hires, particularly in districts that are below 75%. Another sticking point is the faculty's insistence on having the Academic Senate sign off on how Partnership monies are spent at the local level. Finally, the faculty organizations believe that $155 million for Partnership for Excellence is too much, and could negatively effect the amount of funds available for other community college programs.
The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), in an attempt to reach a compromise on the 2000-01 budget package, put forth a proposal that totaled more that $560 million. The highlights of their proposal included COLA at 1.75%; growth at 4%; equalization at $15 million for credit and $7 million for non-credit programs; and support for Partnership for Excellence at $155 million. The major difference proposed by CEOs was $68.7 million for "Staffing for Student Success." This budget item incorporates the present diversity and quality funding ($18.7 million), plus $50 million to be distributed to districts on an FTES basis to be used only for the hiring and increasing salaries of faculty and staff. The decision for how the money would be allocated will be determined in local collective bargaining and other previously agreed upon local decision making processes based on the needs of the local colleges.
When the faculty and CEO proposals were discussed at the most recent Consultation Council meeting, no agreements were reached. In fact, the faculty organizations suggested that Partnership funding be reduced to $125 million, and they continued to push for a $50 million dollar fund for improving part-time faculty salaries.
It is not clear at this time if consensus can be reached on the 2000-01 budget package. CEOs are adamant that decisions regarding the expenditure of Partnership for Excellence funds or additional dollars for human resource needs must be a local decision matter, and that these funds should not be earmarked for so-called pay equity issues. And a faculty sign-off on the use of Partnership dollars is a demand that will never be supported.
It is not likely that budget agreement will be reached by the various community college interest groups until the Governor Davis releases his community college State Budget in January. Once the Governor's priorities are known, it may help the community colleges to come to an agreement on budget priorities.
- Arnold Bray