HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 04-041RESOLUTION NO. 04-041
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF SARATOGA SUPPORTING EQUALIZATION FUNDING FOR
CALIFORNIA'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS
WHEREAS, on a dollar per student basis, there is great disparity in funding among
California's community college districts; and
WHEREAS, the highest funded district receives more than $8,000 per full-time-
equivalent student and the lowest funded districts receive less than $3,600, and
WHEREAS, the difference between the IS highest funded districts and the 15 lowest
funded districts has been more than $1,200 per student continuously; and
WHEREAS, the West Valley-Mission Community College District, located in Saratoga,
California, and Santa Clara, California, and serving all or part of Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los
Gatos, Campbell, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and San Jose, receives $3,673 per student which is
substantially less than the state average; and
WHEREAS, when there are more state funds available to the community college system,
higher funded districts receive proportionately more and lower funded districts receive
proportionately less, and, conversely, when state funds are cut, higher funded districts receive a
smaller amount per student and lower funded districts receive a larger amount per student,
making the disparity in funding even worse, and
WHEREAS, the lack of equitable state funding means that students in lower funded
districts have significantly less access to classes, tutors, full-time instructors, lab technicians,
math and writing center assistance, basic skills classes, adequately maintained facilities,
instructional materials, current technology, technical programs, counselors and other support
staff for an increasingly diverse student population; and
WHEREAS, all of California's community college districts are required to comply with
the same state mandates, paying the same rates to PERS, STRS and Workers Compensation, but
the resources to comply with these and other state requirements vary widely district by district;
and
WHEREAS, the West Valley-Mission Community College District is located in one of
the highest cost areas in California to work or to live in, and has been coping with substantially
lower funding than the average for all California Community Colleges for many years and has
seen its financial situation decline steadily over those same years; and
WHEREAS, funding all community college programs and services on a per student basis
would reduce the disparity in funding, increase equal access to education and boost the potential
for student success throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's budget proposal would assist more than 75% of the state's
community colleges and 85-90% of the state's community college students;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saratoga City Council supports the
Governor's proposal to fund equalization at $80 million and commits to actively advocate on
behalf of comparable funding for ALL of the state's community college students on a per student
basis.
Passed and adopted by the Saratoga City Council this 2nd day of June, 2004.
AYES: Councilmembers Norman Kline, Vice Mayor Kathleen King,
Mayor Ann Waltonsmith
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers Stan Bogosian, Nick Streit
ABSTAIN: None
Ann Waltonsmith
Mayor, City of Saratoga
Attest: