JANUARY 2002
EVERY MEMBER TOOL
COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDY
BACKGROUND The current LWVS education position covers K-12.
However, there is no authorization for League action at the community
college level. To enable the League to advocate for and support the local
community colleges a study into the fiscal situation at the Los Rios Community
College District was undertaken. Additionally, the LWVC is conducting
a statewide study of the Community College system that is much more comprehensive.
While the California Community College Charter spells out that a locally-elected
Board of Trustees is charged with each district’s administration, Proposition
13 removed control of their own finances. Authority over the districts
is divided among many agencies: the local trustees, State Chancellor,
State Board of Governors, the Legislature and the Governor. Governor Gray
Davis cut $126 million from the State 2001-2002 budget for community colleges.
One out of every four dollars already approved by the legislature cut
from the budget came from the community college portion. The Los Rios
Community College District and its colleges lost approximately$5 million.
While this is a huge loss for our colleges it is an even greater loss
for our community. The inequity is especially obvious considering that
community colleges were already strapped. Of higher education they get
the smallest state contribution per student, but educate the largest population
of students. Revenues per Full-Time Equivalent Student (for higher education)
or per Average Daily Attendance (K-12) for 2000-01are:
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University of California $15,922
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California State Universities $8,470
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K-12 $7,080
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California Community Colleges $4,404
While the veto is usually used for special one-time funding, Governor
Davis cut $98 million from funds that are for regular maintenance, repairs
and education supplies.
ISSUES FOR LOS RIOS: Los Rios is one of the fastest
growing Districts in the State. This fall, 2001, Los Rios was projected
to grow by 2,000 students; however, the District actually grew by more
than 5,300. Enrollment in the District exceeds 70,000 students. The colleges
are literally bursting at the seams. The District enrollment is
projected to exceed 90,000 students in just 8 years and more than 100,00
by 2015. The District has grown from 51,259 students in 1996 to 63,695
students in the year 2000. Additionally, 3,176 degrees/certificates were
granted in 1996 and 5,078 in 2000. Last year 2,743 Los Rios students transferred
to UC and CSU. To help alleviate overcrowding the District is currently
utilizing technology for distance education which includes TV classes
and Internet classes, leasing and renting space in trailers and office
buildings, and scheduling classes from 7 AM until 10 PM more than 320
days per year. The Community Colleges are mandated to accept all students
but this policy with the mushrooming growth in enrollment and the severe
cutbacks in funding will have the unfortunate impact of larger classes.
This makes it difficult for students to get the classes that they need
in a timely manner. Research shows that one in ten people in the greater
Sacramento area is taking Los Rios classes so this could be significant.
ADDITIONAL FAST FACTS:
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The Los Rios District transfers more students to
the CSU and UC campuses than any other district in the state with
the exception of the Los Angeles District, which is twice the size.
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Over 90% of Los Rios graduates report getting jobs
in their fields of study.
ACTIONS TAKEN BY LOS RIOS TO OVERCOME FISCAL IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS:
Los Rios has long anticipated the need to not be totally dependent on
State funding. Over the past 5 years resource development activities have
increased private funding and grants from 2.51 million to 6.76 million.
However, these funds all have some sort of restrictions: they are targeted
for special programs or are "in kind" contributions such as
specialized equipment or software. In the recent past 2 bond measures
placed on ballots by the district were very narrowly defeated by .5% points
and 1.5% points respectively. Another bond measure will be on the ballot
again in March 2002. Proposition 39 changed the requirement for passage
from 66% of the vote to 55% of the vote. The Los Rios District is hopeful
of passage. Historically, Los Rios has been fiscally conservative. For
example, they have a policy never to spend money until the year after
they receive it. This has kept them stable even during some very hard
times. Los Rios is considered one of the best districts in the state both
for fiscal responsibility and for their academic programs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Community College Study Group
recommends to the membership that we adopt a statement, which is in concurrence
with a position jointly held by the local Leagues from Los Altos, Mountain
View, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale.
"The Community College District should be supported by
public funds controlled by the Board of Trustees. The objective of
this position is to support public funds that are adequate, equitable,
flexible, fair, predictable and collectable."
This statement is also in line with the State Leagues education policy
that includes the statement … "support a system of funding which
is adequate, flexible, equitable, reliable." The State League is
currently conducting a statewide community college study that will allow
this education policy to extend to the community colleges.
IN CONCLUSION: It is important to note that concurrence
with the above statement will enable the LWVS to support the Los Rios
Bond measure in March 2002. |
