LACCD Maneuvers Around State Cuts

By: Kaia Mann, Editor-in-chief

The LACCD’s budget for the 2024-25 school year stands at $10.2 billion, approved after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the new budget act in June. The state budget amounts to $297.9 billion, reflecting a 4.2 percent decrease from the previous year.

Despite the shortfall in the state budget, there will bew no significant cuts to core programs or services across any of the nine community colleges in the district, according to the official 2024-25 final budget approved by the LACCD Board of Trustees in Sept. 2024. 

To navigate the budget cuts, Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez urged the district to call on reserves and operational savings to ensure the budget remains balanced, while focusing on monitoring expenses and boosting revenue.

According to the budget document, “the district will anticipate and prepare for the fiscal headwinds that may lie ahead, while carefully and closely monitoring the ‘deficit factor’ and ‘Deferrals’ language that is outlined in the 2024-25 state budget, should state revenues not meet projections.” 

How much money is allocated to community colleges depends on the Student Centered Funding Formula (SCFF), which was officially enacted in 2018. Rather than basing a college’s funding purely on enrollment, the SCFF also factors in the proportion of low-income and underserved students, as well as the number of students who earn degrees or certificates, or transfer to four-year institutions.

Valley’s total SCFF apportionment allocated comes in at just over $100 million, ranking third in the district, below East and Pierce College. 

According to the budget document, the primary strategy for increasing revenue focuses on improving outcomes within the Student Centered Funding Formula, specifically by enhancing success rates for “high-need” students. This approach will make campuses eligible for additional state funding and grants. Additionally, there will be an emphasis on boosting philanthropic contributions and strengthening fundraising efforts.

Overall expenses will be tracked through the examination and potential delay of vacant job positions as well as by limiting overtime, travel, and food costs. 

The $10.2 billion in the new LACCD budget is divided into eight funds: general funds, bookstores, food services, child development, special reserves, building bonds, student financial aid, and debt services.  The general fund accounts for 14.6 percent of the total budget, further divided into unrestricted (which can be used for any purpose) and restricted (which is designated for specific purposes).

Notably, Valley College has an unrestricted balance of $9.1 million, allowing these funds to be used for any purpose that aligns with the campus’s objectives and needs. 

Out of Valley’s general funds, restricted funds total $26 million spread across multiple campus programs including CalWORKs, health services and EOPS.

Almost $10 million of the budget will be going into various construction projects and damage repairs for various buildings, as well as general maintenance for Valley’s campus. Just under $50,000 of the final budget will be put into the Valley Academic and Cultural Center.  

“This is a time to be prudent, vigilant and resourceful,” according to LACCD Chancellor Rodriguez.

Despite the 4.2% statewide decrease, Newsom has pledged not to make any significant cuts to community colleges and their programs.

“The Governor largely left the community college’s budget intact,” said President Barry Gribbons. “I certainly appreciate the governor showing his commitment to the mission of the California community colleges by keeping us whole.”