News Release
CONTACT: Della Elliott, Public Information, (619) 644-7690, della.elliott@gcccd.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 11, 2006
GCCCD officials hail governor’s
proposal for $130M in equalization
funding for community colleges
EL CAJON -- The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District praised the proposed state budget released Tuesday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for including $130 million in equalization funding that will mean nearly $14 million for community colleges countywide, including $3 million for East County’s campuses.
Since the 2004 launching of the three-year plan by the governor to reduce funding disparities between individual college districts, GCCCD, which has been on the forefront of the push for funding equity, has received some $2.75 million. The district has used the equalization dollars to restore classes, staff and services reduced in recent, leaner years.
“The governor has kept his commitment to create a level educational field for all community college students by fully funding his multiyear, $240 million equalization plan,” said Chancellor Omero Suarez. “With backing from the state Legislature, whose support we will be actively pursuing in the coming months, the $130 million infusion in ’06-’07 will bring the 57 lowest-funded districts to the 90th percentile. This is a tremendous benefit for our district, which has consistently ranked 65th in funding of the state’s 72 college districts.”
Studies show that this funding disparity among community college districts has nothing to do with demographics, cost of living, property taxes or program costs.
“It is simply an unfair funding formula that has been in place for decades,” Suarez said, noting that the formula funds districts at widely divergent rates. The lopsided allocation has long been criticized by districts such as GCCCD, which received about $3,600 per student in the 2002-2003 fiscal year compared to the $8,200 received by the highest-funded district.
“For years, we have been saddled with an arcane funding system that unfairly shortchanged students and jeopardized their access to affordable, quality higher education that is the cornerstone of the state’s community college system,” Suarez said.
“This district has long struggled to provide classes and services for students at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, but our lack of funding has made this effort an extreme challenge, and during cash-strapped years, we have had to reduce classes and cut services geared to student success. Equalization funds have allowed us to hire more faculty and staff, and to serve our students more comprehensively.”
Equalization monies will also be put to use to add classes and instructors at new facilities under construction, including science complexes at both campuses. The added staffing will make it possible for students to more quickly complete core science classes required for the health professions, as well as biotech and other science fields. The funding influx will also benefit students with more classes to prepare them for high-demand jobs in allied health, business office technology, computer information systems, environmental technologies and wastewater technology.
“This is an exciting time to be part of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca District as bond funds are enabling us to change the physical environment of our colleges and equalization funds will enable us to focus on academic excellence throughout the district,” said Governing Board President Deanna Weeks. “Equalization funding is the perfect complement to the Prop. R bond funds that are going toward the construction and renovation on both college campuses. These dollars provide ongoing operating funds that can be spent in areas that most benefit students, programs and services.”
In the 2005-2006 budget, equalization monies made it possible for the colleges to offer 100 additional classes, hire 26 new faculty members and more classified employees.
While applauding the governor’s commitment to fully fund equalization, district officials note there are still hurdles to clear before the budget becomes final and lawmakers sign off on the plan. When the plan debuted in 2004, the governor placed $80 million in the state budget for equalization and pledged equal funding in successive years, but last year’s installment was funded by the Legislature at $30 million.
The $130 million proposed by the governor would make up for last year’s lower funding and complete the three-year equalization process. Work is currently under way to fundamentally change the state funding system for community colleges, an effort the college district has long embraced. The district’s abysmally low ranking in state funding prompted officials during the late ‘90s to take the lead in galvanizing other low-funded districts to push for equalization.
The equalization campaign was launched in 1999 by Chancellor Suarez, who spurred leaders of the lowest-funded districts to gather in Sacramento for a first-ever meeting on the issues with then-state Chancellor Tom Nussbaum. Suarez was appointed to a 12-member statewide task force assigned to report back with recommendations on changing the state funding formula. The campaign was expanded further in 2002, when trustees and the CEOs of all community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties formed a group, led by GCCCD Trustee Rick Alexander, to get behind the effort.
Board President Weeks commended the chancellor for his unceasing efforts in the battle for equalization funding, an issue that is so critical for community colleges, yet daunting in its complexity.
“I have watched this struggle for fair treatment for many years as Chancellor Suarez worked throughout the region and the state to explain the problem and the solution,” she said.
In 2003, the campaign shifted into high gear, stimulated by a combination of factors; the formation of a caucus of under funded districts led by Chancellor Suarez, then-state Sen. Dede Alpert’s stepped-up legislative efforts on behalf of equalization; and the new administration of Gov. Schwarzenegger, himself a community college alumnus.
“It is indeed gratifying to see that the work of many in support of equalization has paid off to such a degree,” Suarez said. “And the governor’s understanding of this complex issue and his commitment to follow through is most commendable. He has our full support.”
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