Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.
Consultation Council Reviews Community College
2000-2001 State Budget Proposal
The Consultation Council met on August 19, 1999 with Chancellor Tom Nussbaum
to discuss several items scheduled to appear on the Board of Governors September
agenda. The topics covered were:
This article will highlight and summarize the discussion of the 2000-01 community college budget change proposals (BCP). See Attachment A for a detailed listing of the BCP's discussed by the Consultation Council.
Apportionment ($220,843,000)
The Consultation Council supported the COLA (2.5%) and growth (4%) request. However, there was concern that the COLA request of 2.5% will not realistically reflect the statutory COLA dictated by formula for community colleges and K-12. It is not likely that community colleges will receive a COLA that is higher than the statutory requirement. Chancellor Nussbaum indicated that he would be supportive of using funds in this category to increase funding for Human Resources (part/time/full-time faculty).
Partnership for Excellence
Some organizations expressed concern that the BCP for Partnership for Excellence of $155,000,000 was too high. They believe that if the Governor provided that much funding in this category other programs would suffer. The Chancellor will go forward with the proposal at the $155 million level. Nussbaum further clarified that he was not supportive of mandating that a percentage of "Partnership" funds be earmarked for full-time faculty hires. Also, to increase accountability, districts will be asked to identify their own goals for spending "Partnership" funds.
Student Outreach and Access Programs ($27,909,200)
The Consultation Council supported the BCP for student outreach and access programs which would provide additional funding for EOPS, Puente projects, the CARE program, and other student outreach programs.
Faculty Diversity and Quality ($20 million)
Funding for Faculty Diversity would provide for increased faculty internships and targeted recruitment for entry into pre-service programs ($8 million); increased funding for underrepresented groups in faculty pools ($6.7 million); and improve faculty and staff quality ($5.3 million). Funds will be allocated on a competitive grant basis. This item was supported by the Consultation Council.
Part-Time Faculty Equity/Diversity ($50 million)
Supported by the faculty groups, this $50 million proposal is intended to provide the first step in providing districts with additional categorical resources for part-time faculty. Chancellor Nussbaum questioned the proposal as being precedent setting and was not inclined to recommend support for the proposal to the Board of Governors. However, he told the faculty unions that he would encourage a discussion of the BCP with the Board at its September meeting. Administrators expressed reservation about the proposal indicating that more data regarding the use of part-time faculty was needed. No decision was made regarding this item pending further discussion by the Board of Governors.
District Participation in Consultation ($200,000)
This BCP will not be included in the community college budget package.
Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Program ($33 million)
The Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Program will address five areas in the following manner: system network expansion and Telephony on the Backbone; faculty/staff training; local technology infrastructure planning; local technology infrastructure development; and local technology support. The Consultation Council supported this BCP.
Economic Development ($14,924,000)
The Economic Development proposal encompasses four main areas: new industry-driven regional collaboratives; new initiative in the strategic priority area of information technologies; funds for emerging initiatives; and reconfiguration and designation of program services delivery based on economic and labor market factors. This item was supported by the Consultation Council.
Global Education ($12 million)
This BCP was deleted from the proposed budget package.
Scheduled Maintenance and Special Repairs ($38 million)
This proposal would provide funding of $75 million for the 2000-01 fiscal year to augment scheduled maintenance projects. The Chancellor's Office also will pursue allowing community college districts to go from the current $1 to $1 match, to a $2 state/$1 district match requirement. Architectural Barrier Removal projects and Hazardous Substance Removal Programs will also be augmented by the BCP. The Consultation Council supported this proposal.
Federal Title IV Returns ($1 million) and Student Aid Administrative Allowance ($601,000)
These two items will not be included in the primary community college budget package, rather, they will be treated as technical changes through discussions with the Department of Finance.
One-Time Funding ($83,520,000)
Normally one-time funds are appropriated to the community colleges as a result of prior year "settle-up funds" or if additional funds are provided due to the over appropriation of Proposition 98. The Chancellor's Office intends to advocate for one-time funds for the system regardless of the status of Proposition 98 revenues. One-time BCPs will be requested in the following areas: instructional equipment, scheduled maintenance block grants to assist in the upgrading of management information systems; Federal Ethnicity and Race reporting that is a mandate without any funding; workforce equipment to provide state of the art equipment for Calworks; and energy saving projects (PVEA funding).
Conclusion
After presentation by Chancellor Nussbaum and discussion by the Board of Governors the system will adopt a 2000-01 budget package that will be submitted to the Department of Finance for review and possible inclusion in the Governor's proposed State Budget for 2000-01. The Board of Governors and community college system must also prioritize the final budget package that is adopted.
-- Arnold Bray