Fiscal Responsibility

By Teresa R. Brown

It is critical to maintain fiscal responsibility during State cuts to community college budgets.

When I was first elected to the Delta College Board of Trustees in 2008, the college's capacity was just under 18,000 full time equivalent students. In the current academic year, 2012-2013, that number is 14,500. Despite this decrease in State funding at a time of high unemployment when the demand for classes is higher than normal, Delta College continues to teach about 1000 more students each year than the State funds. In 2011-2012, teaching those extra students cost Delta College more than $4 million. To do this, the College has cut back on spending in other areas and used money from our reserves.

Maintaining the reserves for as long as possible, because in addition to annual cuts to the college's budget, in three of the last four years the State has imposed unexpected mid-year cuts when revenues fell below projections. Without substantial reserves, the college would have to resort to additional cuts to classes and/or employee layoffs.

Currently, six of the seven trustees have less than four years' experience. Maintaining stable leadership is critical to Delta College's future.