By Clyde Noel
As soon as the new Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees was sworn in and seated last Monday, the trustees were confronted with the 2004-05 budget forecast that projects a $12 million shortfall.
The budget reflects $144 million in available revenue with about $156 million in projected expenses for the district.
Kathryn Blackwood, budget officer, said an impact analysis of the cuts at Foothill-De Anza and Central Services indicates a 10 percent cut would result in the following breakdown:
- $4.1 million at Foothill College;
- $6.2 million at De Anza College;
- $1.7 million at Central Services.
“This is a time when people are feeling tense,” Chancellor Martha Kanter said. “Now is the time to offer suggestions from different departments and divisions. We want their participation in this before a more detailed plan for budget reductions will be shared with the board in January.”
Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity Jane Enright said her staff is working at morale building until they get through the budget.
“To cut 10 percent of the budget when 85 percent of the budget is salaries and benefits is difficult,” Blackwood said. “People will be affected, and we have a set of principles to follow.”
The shortfall is attributed to rising medical costs, CalPERS increases and the ending of grant programs. Blackwood said suggestions for budget cuts are being analyzed.
Final recommendations, to be made next month, will be based on information from employee groups, including SEIU, CSEA, Teamsters, and faculty and management associations.
Richard Hansen, faculty association president, said that the governor must face the reality that the numbers just don’t add up. Public service requires revenue.
In a statement by Anne Paye, faculty association chief negotiator, the association’s team has insisted it will not respond to any of the proposals or agree to any “take-backs” until the state budget becomes clear, the district actively pursues savings through reduction of fixed costs, other units take comparable cuts, and the board commits some of its 5 percent reserves to help staunch the shortfall.
