Senate Bill 361 would revamp old funding formula
Gilroy – Legislation that would beef up Gavilan College’s budget by more than $1 million annually received unanimous approval by the state assembly Wednesday.
Senate Bill 361, authored by state Sen. Jack Scott (D-Pasadena), was approved by the senate during the summer. Because it was amended it will head back to the senate for a brief approval before going before the governor.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who will then have 30 days to decide whether to approve or veto it, is expected to sign it, said Scott Spokeswoman Wendy Gordon, who added that the cash is already included in the state budget.
For many community college districts, particularly rural ones such as Gavilan, SB 361 is a victory financially speaking. Under the current formula, created in 1988, Gavilan only receives about $227,000 a year in equalization funding, less per student than comparable districts.
Also, some of its priority noncredit programs are severely underfunded. If the bill is passed, Gavilan will receive $1,364,000, a number that makes Gavilan President Steve Kinsella smile.
“So now everybody will get paid essentially the same rate,” he said. “It’s just a tremendous year for us.
Community college leaders spent the past year developing the new funding plan, which does not increase overall community college funding but instead alters how cash is allocated.
Since Gavilan College’s boundaries extend 2,700 square miles, the district is considered rural and it’s expansive territory – the college has satellite campuses in Morgan Hill and Hollister – makes it very expensive to run, Kinsella said.
Also, because it’s ongoing money, not one-time cash, the district can count on it year after year.
“We’ve been planning for quite some time so we’re ready,” Kinsella said. “We’re going to be very careful how it’s allocated. Everything will be evaluated and assessed.”
Kinsella said the district plans on using the money for student support services in areas such as counseling, tutoring, math lab, registration and assessment. In addition, he would like to see some of the funds earmarked for maintenance to keep the large Gavilan campus beautiful.
