Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.
Community Colleges Support Test Claim Process
As a result of the support of participants at the May ACBO conference, the Education Mandated Cost Network (EMCN) has completed the process for the establishment of a community college test claim coalition. Through this coalition the EMCN will make an aggressive effort to recapture reimbursement funds specifically for community colleges. As many of you are aware, the EMCN was created in 1978 by School Services of California, Inc. During the past 21 years, the EMCN has established a reputation as the "voice on mandates" for K-14 in the State Capitol. Continuous effort has become more critical with term limits constantly reducing the knowledge level of lawmakers.
Each community college is invited to join the coalition and the Network. This is accomplished through a membership contribution paid to the Education Mandated Cost Network (EMCN). These funds will be segregated and used specifically for the writing of community college test claims. Santa Monica Community College District has volunteered to serve as the fiscal agent for this coalition. A sliding scale has been developed by the Executive Committee of Community College Coalition members and the scale ranges from $200 per college to $2,500 per college. The executive committee member districts have however, pledged $8,000 initially as seed money so that the test claim process could begin immediately.
The membership fee is a mandated cost and can be recovered annually when you file your mandate reimbursement claim with the State Controller's Office. The EMCN will send you an invoice of direct service hours for you to submit along with your reimbursement claim. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain when you participate in this community college effort. Invoices are now in the mail to each college.
Through the efforts of the current executive committee, there are three Santa Monica Community College test claims awaiting hearing. These test claims cover the issues of budget and financial reports, financial management reports, financial and compliance audits. The 1999 test claims for community colleges are the tenure grievance arbitration rules recently imposed by legislation. The test claim will be filed by Sierra Joint Community College District. State Center Community College District filed a claim on the required posting of Firearm Prohibition Signs.
The members of the Education Mandated Cost Network (EMCN), community college subcommittee executive committee are:
Tom Donner
Vice President Business Services
Santa Monica Community College District
Deborah Campbell
Director, Fiscal Services
Yosemite Community College District
Cheryl Miller
Associate Vice President, Business Services
Santa Monica Community College District
Jack Sherman
Controller
San Bernardino Community College District
John Hendrickson
Vice Chancellor
Contra Costa Community College District
Jeanette Gordon
Controller
Los Angeles Community College District
John Sharpe
Vice Chancellor, Business
State Center Community College District
Robert Wickstrom
Director, Business Services
Sierra Joint Community College District
Carry Bray
Accounting Supervisor
Los Rios Community College District
Vicki Reader
Supervisor, Business Services
Sierra Joint Community College District
Dr. Carol Berg, EMCN, serves as the consultant to the Network and Keith B. Peterson, Special Counsel, serves as the convener and secretary to this network subgroup. A special report from the Community College Coalition is planned for the ACBO meeting to be held in October in Oxnard.
-- Carol Berg