2006 Community College Archives

Welcome to the Update Archives!
2006

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
December 15, 2006 Update

UCLA Forecasters Predict Slowdown, But No Recession [Posted 12/15/06]

New Community College Legislation Introduced [Posted 12/15/06]

Assembly Committee Chairs Announced [Posted 12/15/06]

Ceremonies Mark the Official Kickoff to the 2007-08 Legislative Session [Posted 12/15/06]

Governor Announces High-Level Appointments [Posted 12/15/06]

Attorney General Opines: No Requirement to Increase Proposition 98 for STRS Rate Increase [Posted 12/15/06]

A Plan to Address Pension Deficit Will Debut This January [Posted 12/15/06]

Ask SSC . . . Is the STRS Golden Handshake Still Available? [Posted 12/15/06]

By the Way . . . Revise Your Payroll System for These New Amounts for 2007 [Posted 12/15/06]

By the Way . . . 2007 Tentative Legislative Calendar Available [Posted 12/15/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
December 1, 2006 Update

Legislative Analyst Forecasts Continuing Budget Deficits [Posted 12/1/06]

State Legislators Return to Sacramento on December 4 [Posted 12/1/06]

Revision to Postretirement Earnings Limits [Posted 12/1/06]

Success Rate of Community College Students Questioned by New Study [Posted 12/1/06]

Education Leaders Project Pressures on Education [Posted 12/1/06]

$100 Million in Interest to Be Paid on Mandate Reimbursement [Posted 12/1/06]

Ask SSC . . . How Should We Budget for the COLA Next Year? [Posted 12/1/06]

Ask SSC . . . What Variables Should I Consider to Determine Staffing in the Business Office? [Posted 12/1/06]

By the Way . . . Bersin Will Leave Post as Secretary for Education [Posted 12/1/06]

By the Way . . . Per Diem Expense Reimbursements [Posted 12/1/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
November 9, 2006 Update

2007-08 Statutory COLA Likely to be Below 4% [Posted 11/9/06]

Infrastructure Bond Package Approved; Schwarzenegger Wins Reelection [Posted 11/9/06]

2007-08 State Legislative Program [Posted 11/9/06]

District Obligation for Full-Time Faculty Hires [Posted 11/9/06]

The State Cannot Afford to Not Support Higher Education [Posted 11/9/06]

Community College Growth Affected by Students Delaying College [Posted 11/9/06]

Ask SSC . . . Could You Clear Up the Fog Surrounding the Audit Window for School Mandate Reimbursement?
[Posted 11/9/06]

Ask SSC . . . Could You Define "Going Concern"? [Posted 11/9/06]

By the Way . . . Community College Transfers Boost CSU Enrollments [Posted 11/9/06]

Attachment . . . A. Community College Bond Election Results [Posted 11/9/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
October 27, 2006 Update

College Board Reports on Nationwide College Costs and Financial Aid [Posted 10/27/06]

Governor Signs Controversial Capital Facilities Fees Bill [Posted 10/27/06]

September Revenues and Employment Tracking Forecast [Posted 10/27/06]

Interest Rate Unchanged: Implications for California [Posted 10/27/06]

Ask SSC . . . How Many Confidential Employees are We Allowed to Have? [Posted 10/27/06]

By the Way . . . Specific Language Available on STRS Funding Plan [Posted 10/27/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
October 13, 2006 Update

End of the 2006 Legislative Session Report--Chaptered and Vetoed Legislation [Posted 10-13-06]

Court Upholds In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants [Posted 10-13-06]

Community Colleges Expecting Increases in Student Enrollments for the 2006-07 Academic Year [Posted 10-13-06]

Ask SSC . . . Do Basic Aid Districts Need More Reserves? [Posted 10-13-06]

Ask SSC . . . How Do Contributions to My Health Savings Account Affect My Income Taxes? [Posted 10-13-06]

Ask SSC . . . Do School Districts Qualify for the "Government Rate"? [Posted 10-13-06]

Ask SSC . . . Is There a Legal Time Limit on When the SCO Can Audit Mandate Reimbursements? [Posted 10-13-06]

By the Way . . . Outlook for Public Education [Posted 10-13-06]

By the Way . . . Free Community College Proposed [Posted 10-13-06]

By the Way . . . Call for 2007-08 Legislative Proposals [Posted 10-13-06]

By the Way . . . SB 361 Workshops Scheduled [Posted 10-13-06]

Attachment A . . . Chaptered and Vetoed Legislation [Posted 10-13-06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
September 29, 2006 Update

Budget Trailer Bill--One-Time Money Signed into Law [Posted 9/29/06]

Legislative Analyst Previews Upcoming Forecast [Posted 9/29/06]

August Revenues Generally Tracking Forecast [Posted 9/29/06]

Governor's Actions on Community College Legislation Thus Far [Posted 9/29/06]

Community College Administrators' Right to Become a First-Year Probation Faculty member Is Not Absolute
[Posted 9/29/06]

Another Legal Challenge to Secure Mandate Reimbursements [Posted 9/26/06]

First Hurdle Is Cleared in Lawsuit Against SCO Audits [Posted 9/26/06]

Things Looking a bit Better for the School Facilities Bond, Proposition 1D [Posted 9/29/06]

Ask SSC . . . Are Property Taxes Resulting from a General Obligation Bond Deductible from Personal Income Tax? [Posted 9/29/06]

By the Way . . . Board of Governors Supports State Bond Measure 1D [Posted 9/29/06]

By the Way . . . Illegal Immigrants Initiative Cleared for Circulation [Posted 9/29/06]

By the Way . . . Disclosure of Faculty Grades [Posted 9/29/06]

By the Way . . . And You Thought That California Had a STRS Problem! [Posted 9/29/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
September 15, 2006 Update

Board of Governors Adopts System Budget for 2007-08 [Posted 9/15/06]

Board of Governors Adopts Student Fee Resolution [Posted 9/15/06]

Governor Signs AB 2165 Into Law [Posted 9/15/06]

Legislation Restricts the Ability of Administrators to Discipline School Newspapers [Posted 9/15/06]

Governor Signs Bill Addressing the Sale of Bonds [Posted 9/15/06]

Are California Institutions of Higher Education Doing A Poor Job of Educating California Students? [Posted 9/15/06]

Certificated Postretirement Earnings Limit and Legislative Changes for 2006-07 [Posted 9/15/06]

Ask SSC . . . Is There More than One CPI in California? [Posted 9/15/06]

Ask SSC . . . What Should We Consider in Our Collective Bargaining Agreements to Ensure They Support Educational Delivery? [Posted 9/15/06]

Ask SSC . . . Is There Value in offering Cash In Lieu of Benefits? [Posted 9/15/06]

Ask SSC . . . Should We Include Additional STRS Costs in Our District Budget? [Posted 9/15/06]

Ask SSC . . . When Does the Audit Clock Start Ticking on Mandate Claim Payments? [Posted 9/15/06]

Ask SSC . . . Does the Gann Limit Need to Be a Discussion Item on the Board Agenda? [Posted 9/15/06]

Attachment A . . . System Budget Request for 2007-08 [Posted 9-15/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
September 1, 2006 Update

$2.9 Billion Lawsuit Settlement Legislation: A Work in Progress [Posted 9/1/06]

Good Beginning for 2006-07 Revenues [Posted 9/1/06]

SB 361 Approved by the Legislature [Posted 9/1/06]

Community College Legislation Enrolled to the Governor [Posted 9/1/06]

Community College Initiative Cleared for Circulation [Posted 9/1/06]

STRS Board to Consider Options to Increase Funded Proportion of Retirement Program [Posted 9/1/06]

Latest Poll Numbers Show Lukewarm Reception for Bond Initiatives and Elected Officials [Posted 9/1/06]

Ask SSC . . . Can You Explain the Gann Limit Calculation? [Posted 9/1/06]

Ask SSC . . . What Is Position Control? [Posted 9/1/06]

By the Way . . . Governor Makes STRS Board Appointment to Replace David Crane [Posted 9/1/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
August 18, 2006 Update

Update on Pending Bills Affecting Community Colleges [Posted 8/18/06]

State Appeals Court Upholds the California High School Exit Exam [Posted 8/18/06]

Rolling Health Benefits onto the Certificated Salary Schedule [Posted 8/18/06]

Ask SSC . . . Can We Hold Back Vacation Payout Checks until the Next Tax Year? [Posted 8/18/06]

Ask SSC . . . What Is "Bid Rigging"? [Posted 8/18/06]

Ask SSC . . . Will All School Districts Benefit from a Successful Outcome of the Lawsuit Over the Mandate Claim Audit Process? [Posted 8/18/06]

By the Way . . . 41 Legislators Termed Out of Office [Posted 8/18/06]

By the Way . . . Annual Property Tax Backfill Legislation Gutted [Posted 8/18/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
August 4, 2006 Update

California Economy Slowing as Expected [Posted 8/4/06]

School Finance Conference Q&A--Part 2 [Posted 8/4/06]

Latest Field Poll Shows that Support for School Bond Remains Stagnant [Posted 8/4/06]

A Continuing Challenge: Managing the Cost of Health Benefits [Posted 8/4/06]

Ask SSC . . . Can Local Governing Boards Charge Student Parking Fees in Excess of the $40 Cap? [Posted 8/4/06]

Ask SSC . . . What Are the Most Recent Lottery Revenue Numbers? [Posted 8/4/06]

By the Way . . . New Board of Governor Member [Posted 8/4/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
July 21, 2006 Update

Governor Signs Budget Trailer Bill [Posted 7/21/06]

School Finance Conference Q&A [Posted 7/21/06]

Do We Need to be Concerned About Mid-Year Cuts After This Budget? [Posted 7/21/06]

May Revenues Up, but Economic News is Mixed, at Best [Posted 7/21/06]

Fiscal Committees Take Final Action on 2006 Legislation [Posted 7/21/06]

Secretary of State Numbers Propositions for General Election [Posted 7/21/06]

By the Way . . . STRS Unfunded Liability Discussions Deferred [Posted 7/21/06]

By the Way . . . PERS Actuarially Funded Rate Decreasing [Posted 7/21/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
July 7, 2006 Update

Governor Signs Budget and "Blue Pencils" Faculty Benefits [Posted 6/30/06]

Summary of the 2006-07 Community College Budget [Posted 7/7/06]

Ask SSC . . . Can the Governor Make Changes to the Budget? [Posted 7/7/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
June 29, 2006 Update

Legislature Passes Budget to Governor--And It's Still June! [Posted 6/29/06]

Surprise! Surprise! Legislature Misses Constitutional Deadline for Adopting State Budget [Posted 6/23/06]

Passage of SB 361 Crucial to Items in the Community College Budget [Posted 6/23/06]

Budget Conference Committee Approves Community College Budget Package [Posted 6/23/06]

New Local Bond Requirements Proposed for Community Colleges [Posted 6/23/06]

Assembly Higher Education Committee Takes Action on Community College Legislation [Posted 6/23/06]

Options for Addressing Other Postemployment Benefits [Posted 6/23/06]

UCLA Forecasters Predict Slowing Economy [Posted 6/23/06]

Ask SSC . . . Do Employees Out on Workers' Compensation Accrue Vacation and Sick Leave While They Are Out?
[Posted 6/23/06]

By the Way . . . New Board of Governors Members [Posted 6/23/06]

By the Way . . . PERS Board Approves 2007 Rate Package [Posted 6/23/06]

By the Way . . . SB 1465 Makes Technical Changes Affecting Part-Time Community College Members [Posted 6/23/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
June 23, 2006 Update

Surprise! Surprise! Legislature Misses Constitutional Deadline for Adopting State Budget [Posted 6/16/06]

Budget Conference Committee Approves Community College Budget Package [Posted 6/14/06]

State Budget Conference Committee Hearings Underway [Posted 6/9/06]

SB 361 Update [Posted 6/9/06]

"Dead" Bills--Maybe [Posted 6/9/06]

Local Bonds Did Not Fare Well in the June Primary [Posted 6/9/06]

November School Bond Appeals to Voters [Posted 6/9/06]

Commission on State Mandates Eliminates Funding for Mandate Reimbursement Process [Posted 6/9/06]

School Districts File Suit on State Controller for Mandate Audits [Posted 6/9/06]

Ask SSC . . . Are Mandated Dollars Certain Enough to Be Budgeted? [Posted 6/9/06]

Ask SSC . . . What Happens When We Compact Our Faculty Salary Schedule? [Posted 6/9/06]

Ask SSC . . . Are Collective Bargaining Impasses Going Up? [Posted 6/9/06]

By the Way . . . Workers' Compensation Rate Cut 10% [Posted 6/9/06]

By the Way . . . PERS Rate Update [Posted 6/9/06]

Attachment A. -- SB 361 Update [Posted 6/9/06]

Attachment B. -- Bond Election Results [Posted 6/9/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
May 12, 2006 Update

Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 Takes Final Action on Community College Proposed Budget for 2006-07
[Posted 5-19-06]

Governor's Budget May Revision 2006-07 [Posted 5-15-06]

CTA vs. Schwarzenegger Lawsuit on Proposition 98 Funding Is Settled [Posted 5/12/06]

Infrastructure Bond Package Headed to November Ballot [Posted 5/12/06]

Higher State Revenues Trigger More for Schools under Proposition 98 [Posted 5/12/06]

Statutory COLA for 2006-07 at 5.92% [Posted 5/12/06]

Subcommittee Seeks Input on Spending Increased Revenues [Posted 5/12/06]

Proposed New Student Fee Policy Still Alive [Posted 5/12/06]

Mandate Commission Defers Action on Mandate Reimbursement Process [Posted 5/12/06]

Refinancing Local School Bonds May Violate State Law [Posted 5/12/06]

Summary of Community College District Administrative Salaries [Posted 5/12/06]

By the Way . . . PERS Rate for 2006-07 Virtually Unchanged from 2005-06 [Posted 5/12/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
April 28, 2006 Update

Strong March Revenues Point to Hopeful May Revision, But Other Signs Suggest Caution [Posted 4/28/06]

Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Education Finance Reviews Community College Budget [Posted 4/28/06]

Assembly Higher Education Committee Takes Action on Community College Legislation [Posted 4/28/06]

CalSTRS Seeks Authority to Administer Deferred Compensation Plans [Posted 4/28/06]

Senate Education Committee Takes Action on Its "Suspense File" [Posted 4/28/06]

Another Run at Repealing School Contracting Restrictions [Posted 4/28/06]

Compromise Reached on Infrastructure Bond Plan for California [Posted 4/28/06]

April Revenues Skyrocket [Posted 4/28/06]

Ask SSC . . . What Is "Comparable"? [Posted 4/28/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
April 14, 2006 Update

Legislation Introduced to Prohibit Certain Students From Participating in Intercollegiate Athletics [Posted 4/14/06]

Another Run at Repealing School Contracting Restrictions [Posted 4/14/06]

CPEC to Examine How Well Community Colleges Are Serving Rural and Remote Areas of California [Posted 4/14/06]

Is Your Position Control System Out of Control? [Posted 4/14/06]

Ask SSC . . . What Factors Should We Consider Heading into Mediation? [Posted 4/14/06]

Ask SSC . . . Are Mandate Claim Preparation Costs Reimbursable? [Posted 4/14/06]

By the Way . . . Data on Enrollment Growth and Decline [Posted 4/14/06]

By the Way . . . Community College Initiative Will Not Be on the November 2006 Ballot [Posted 4/14/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
March 31, 2006 Update

Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education Adds $500 Million to Proposition 98 for K-14 Schools [Posted 3-31-06]

UCLA Forecasters Predict Slow But Continued Growth [Posted 3-31-06]

Education Committee Takes Action on Community College Legislation [Posted 3-31-06]

The Return of Capital Facilities Fees [Posted 3-31-06]

Should Standards for a Community College Degree Be Increased [Posted 3-31-06]

California Community Colleges Still Lag Far Behind the National Average in Funding Per Student [Posted 3-31-06]

STRS Considers Options for Addressing Unfunded Liability [Posted 3-31-06]

Ask SSC . . . Could You Explain "Fair Share" Bargaining Agreements? [Posted 3-31-06]

Ask SSC . . . Will I Ben Penalized If I Exceed the STRS Annual Compensation Limit? [Posted 3-31-06]

By the Way . . . Did You Know--Two Counties Not Affiliated with a Community College District [Posted 3-31-06]

By the Way . . . Sierra College Has a New President [Posted 3-31-06]

By the Way . . . Pending Legislation Would Fix the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Applicability of Industrial Disability Leave [Posted 3-31-06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
March 17, 2006 Update

Possible Compromise Reached on Equalization Allocation [Posted 3-17-06]

No Infrastructure Bond on June Ballot [Posted 3-17-06]

Board of Governors Takes Action on "Unspent Growth Funds" and "75/25" Faculty Obligations [Posted 3-17-06]

Legislative Analyst's Chief Economist Says Oil and Housing Post Risks to State Economy [Posted 3-17-06]

California's Economy Continues to Expand [Posted 3-17-06]

No on Proposition 82 Campaign Says Measure Would Reduce State Revenues and Proposition 98 Billions
[Posted 3-17-06]

Concurrent Enrollment In High School and Community Colleges Still an Issue for the Legislature [Posted 3-17-06]

Bills Introduced to Address Liabilities for Retiree Health Benefits [Posted 3-17-06]

Ask SSC . . . What Are Some Guidelines Used to Determine Whether Reserve Dollars are Ongoing or One Time
[Posted 3-17-06]

By the Way . . . Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) Chief Appointed as Special Trustee at Compton Community College [Posted 3-17-06]

By the Way . . . Benita Haley Reappointed to the Board of Governors [Posted 3-17-06]

Attachment . . . Recommended Equalization Compromise--2006-07 [Posted 3-17-06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
February 17, 2006 Update

Redirecting Unspent Growth Funds [Posted 2/17/06]

Legislative Update [Posted 2/17/06]

State Owes Community Colleges Almost $73 Million [Posted 2/17/06]

Unhappy With the 50% Law? How About a 65% Law? [Posted 2/17/06]

Ask SSC . . . Can Districts Freeze Step and Column Increases? [Posted 2/17/06]

Ask SSC . . . Is There a Limitation on Classified Retirees' Earnings? [Posted 2/17/06]

Ask SSC . . . Is There a Limit to Certificated Retirees' Earnings? [Posted 2/17/06]

Ask SSC . . . Could You Explain the Concept of Arbitrage Earnings? [Posted 2/17/06]

Ask SSC . . . Who Should Receive Conflict of Interest Forms for Our District? [Posted 2/17/06]

Attachment A . . . California Code of Regulations [Posted 2/17/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
February 3, 2006 Update

The Governor's Budget Proposal--Back to the Roller Coaster? [Posted 2-3-06]

2005-06 First Quarter Lottery Apportionment Certified [Posted 2-3-06]

Legislative Update [Posted 2-3-06]

Legislature Reviews Governor's Bond Proposals [Posted 2-3-06]

Westly Proposes Free Tuition Program at Community Colleges [Posted 2-3-06]

OPEB Bonds May Help Certain Districts with Postemployment Benefits Obligation [Posted 2-3-06]

Ask SSC . . . Is the $1.67 Billion Augmentation Above and Beyond the COLA or the Proposition 98 Guarantee?
[Posted 2-3-06]

Ask SSC . . . Is There a Required Reserve Level for a Liability Internal Service Fund? [Posted 2-3-06]

By the Way . . . Two STRS Nominees Moving Forward [Posted 2-3-06]

By the Way . . . Proposition Numbers Announced [Posted 2-3-06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
January 20, 2006 Update

Thoughts about the 2006 Governor's Budget [Posted 1/20/06]

LAO Analysis and Elizabeth Hill's Press Conference [Posted 1/20/06]

Overview of the Proposed Community College Budget for 2006-07 [Posted 1/20/06]

Which Bond Proposal Is Best for Community Colleges? [Posted 1/20/06]

Vote of "No Confidence" Legislation Amended [Posted 1/20/06]

A Review of the State's Transfer Process [Posted 1/20/06]

Superintendent O'Connell Announces No CAHSEE Alternatives, Recommends Other Options [Posted 1/20/06]

Ask SSC . . . Can a Purchase Order Be Cancelled After a Reasonable Amount of Time? [Posted 1/20/06]

By the Way . . . Bid Limit Raised [Posted 1/20/06]

Please Note: The following articles were included in the
January 6, 2006 Update

Governor Looks to the Future in State-of-the-State [Posted 1/6/06]

Governor Proposes a $4 Billion Increase In Funding for Schools [Posted 1/6/06]

New Laws Affecting California Community Colleges [Posted 1/6/06]

Legislature Returns to Sacramento--First Order of Business--"Two-Year Bills" [Posted 1/6/06]

Is Community College Enrollment Funding Keeping Pace With Demand? [Posted 1/6/06]

Should Community Colleges Play a Role In the High School Exit Exam? [Posted 1/6/05]

Ask SSC . . . Can You Explain the Governor's Proposal? [Posted 1/6/06]

Ask SSC . . . What Is the Best Way to Handle Budget Priority Discussions? [Posted 1/6/06]

Ask SSC . . . Is Not Being the Right "Fit" a Valid Reason for Not Being Hired? [Posted 1/6/06]

Ask SSC . . . Did a Court Reject the Lawsuit Over Breaking the "Deal"? [Posted 1/6/06]

By the Way . . . Community College Governance and Funding Stabilization and Student Fee Reduction Act Submitted to the Office of the Attorney General for Certification [Posted 1/6/06]

By the Way . . . Reminder on Grace Period for Flexible Spending Arrangements [Posted 1/6/06]

By the Way . . . Governor Appoints Two to the Commission on State Mandates [Posted 1/6/06]