Proposed Cabrillo Budget Cuts Reach $830,000

With the goal of reducing its budget from $59 million to $56 million by Aug. 1, Cabrillo College administrators at Wednesday's College Planning Council meeting proposed eliminating six staff positions that are currently filled. The move represents the first slice into the meat of the 2011-12 budget, following .

Laid out by Cabrillo President Brian King during the session, the plan would result in $283,000 in savings, putting the total of all proposed cuts at $830,000 for the coming year.

Proposed cuts from Wednesday included the following:

• An assistant in admissions and records at a savings of $66,000 in salary and benefits.

• The Academy for College Excellence program, resulting in layoffs of the three people, trimming $120,000.

• Reduced hours and staff at the bookstore, cutting $95,000 from next year's budget.

With the Aug. 1 decision deadline put forth by trustees fast approaching, contract requirements for advance notice of layoffs was discussed at length.

“August 1 is not as far away as it seems, but it's not a week or two away,” said King.

The newly formed Services and Programs Reduction Advisory Committee (SPRAC), comprised of three classified employees (staff who are not teachers) and two faculty members offered their first suggestions at the meeting with the aim of reviewing possible cuts regarding maintaining a sustainable and functioning college.

“SPRAC is charged with finding out if proposals from administrators are feasible with the least amount of effect on people [on campus],” said Alta Northcutt, program specialist of Disabled Student Programs & Services.

The main target of the cuts is classified workers (non-teachers), so that the school can avoid making class section cuts, a task that is difficult this year without reducing enrollment and revenue, or risking the accreditation of the school. Since students enrolled in fall classes nearly a month ago, canceling classes, except in cases of low enrollment, is out of the question.

Classified workers must be given 45 days notice before termination, putting further pressure on the Aug. 1 deadline. Any budget finalized past that date would cost the school a full month in salaries and benefits for terminated employees.

“If this is seen as being rammed through to meet some sort of artificial deadline, it could cause an explosion [in relations between staff and administrators],” said Dan Rothwell, chairman of the communications department. “Perception is often reality ... It could be a serious problem for the school.”