By Clyde Noel
Town Crier Correspondent
The midyear review of the Foothill-De Anza financial condition focused on the current fiscal year activity and included information on next year’s budget.
The present year is problematic, but we are still in good shape for fiscal year 2000-2001,” said James Keller, vice chancellor of the district. “It’s still quite early to project year-end balances let alone a budget for next year.”
There are numerous economic and enrollment events that could change the year-end outcome. Keller said the current energy crisis and other economic exigencies are contributing to a worsening financial climate for everyone.
Funding for the California community colleges remains below the national average for a full-time equivalent student (FTES). The level of funding puts a burden on the colleges as they try to provide the services students and the community expect.
California funding of students per FTES is as follows: University of California $28,000; California State University System $11,000; K-12 $6,600; and community colleges $3,800.
“We are building a contingency plan at both campuses, and by mid-March we should know what we can expect from the state,” said Kathryn Blackwood, budget officer.
For Foothill-De Anza the shortfall amounts to over $13 million because of apportionment deficits due to local property tax shortfalls and apportionment-adjusted funding at less than the price deflator (COLA).
“Enrollment and productivity are two concerns for the district,” Keller said. “It hasn’t been as fast as we wanted. Any growth is due to nonresident students.” The current estimate includes a reduction in apportionment generating FTES and a 15 percent increase in non-residents.
Enrollment for 2000-2001 is as follows: Foothill 13,920, De Anza 19,442, for a total of 33,362 students.
The enrollment estimate was set at 1.5 percent growth. Foothill is projecting that it will exceed its goal by 370 students, while De Anza is projecting a small reduction.
The district issued $100 million in E bonds last June as a partial issue from the $248 million bonds authorized by the community in November 1999. This will cover the first three years of the Measure E program. Property taxes to repay the bonds were set at $14 per $100 of assessed valuation and appeared on the November 2000 property tax statements.
As of Dec. 31, specific project budgets were:
At De Anza: Student Services Building, $16.8 million; Science Center, $17.5 million; Quad modernization, $1.1 million; and Modular Village, $1.1 million.
At Foothill: Life Science & Tech. Building, $21.6 million; Center for Innovation, $500,000; Student Services, $16.5 million; and Fine Arts, $1.3 million.
The child development centers at both campuses are underway or have been submitted to the state for approval.
The capital fund currently tracks 60 projects, with project budgets totaling about $85 million.One-third of these projects are Measure E projects. As the district completes the design phase of Measure E, many more projects will be added to the list.
