We take a look at the stories that are coming to the web and in
the paper. This week: Gavilan will open its doors to a
record-setting class and the city awaits a state decision that
could cost it $1.7 million.
1. A growing Gavilan
Gavilan College will open its doors Wednesday to a student body that threatens to burst the school at the seams.
“Enrollment is way up, again,” said Jan Bernstein-Chargin, Gavilan spokeswoman.
Last year, Gavilan was home to about 10,000 individual students or 5,259 for-credit full time equivalent students and 2,000 non-credit students, she said. This year, college officials predict the percent growth to be in the double digits. Bernstein-Chargin said that enrollment – the number of courses that are registered for – should grow by about 20 percent and the number of full time equivalent students – students taking 12 or more units – should grow by about 10 percent, adding that the numbers should firm up after students finish adding and dropping courses.
2. State decision could cost city money
If lawmakers in Sacramento decide to keep property and sales tax revenues destined for cities to help patch the state’s $15 billion deficit, Gilroy will be out about $1.7 million. The city administrator and council have already cut more than $4 million from this year’s budget that still runs a $3.9 million deficit, so adding another $1.7 million to that figure would send staff back to the drawing board, probably the chopping block for some, according to council members and administrators. Officials also worry the costly “borrowing” could delay road projects and any real budgetary solution for the state, but Gilroy’s representatives at the capital have vowed to oppose any “borrowing” from cities.
