Meeting Notes - October 13, 2009
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Draft
1) Welcome and Introductions.
The team introduced themselves and congratulated Steve Sellitti on his pending retirement in February 2010. The team recognized his 38 years of service to the district .
2) Charge, Goals, Ground Rules, Principles, Activities & Training of Campus Budget Team Members
The team reviewed the Charge, Goals, Ground Rules, Principles, Activities & Training of Campus Budget Team Members.
3) Approval of Meeting Notes June 9, 2009
The notes were approved.
Slater thanked the group for the work it did last year on the budget.
4) 09-10 Phase II Reduction Scenarios (pdf) and De Anza Categorical Cuts (pdf)Jeanpierre passed out handouts that reflected the latest information on the budget. As the information is continuously being revised when new information becomes available, she asked the team to look at the date on the documents to ascertain which revise was the latest. The worksheets are for discussion purposes only.
Jeanpierre reviewed and explained the 2009-2010 Phase II Budget Planning and Categorical Funds Cuts Analysis Worksheets in detail. She also explained that the worksheets reflected various scenarios and the possible impacts.
The President has asked the College to review the current information and start discussions on Phase II reduction scenarios. Much of the work will be done in the Planning & Budget teams for each VP area.
The Chancellor has asked the Colleges to: 1) identify what the ending fund balance would be used for; 2) identify the framework for reducing De Anza's share of the overall budget and 3) identify the framework for reducing De Anza's share of the categorical reductions
State revenues are still low, CSU & UC systems are capping classes and increasing fees. FHDA is one of few Districts that is in a position to weather this fiscal year but we need to plan for FY 2010-11. Last year, the Colleges and District came up with a variety of proposals to save money, many of which were adopted. There were some savings from the medical benefit fund (Fund 61). From the accounting stand point, Fund 61 is supposed to be a pass through account, but in the last few years additional monies have been retained in the fund. Not all the money in this fund is due to medical benefit savings.
The District accumulates savings from various areas, including vacant positions, reduced workers comp claims, utility savings, medical benefits, etc.
Slater reminded the group how hard it was to make budget reduction decisions last year when there were more options available to the Colleges and District. She went on to say that this year, it would be even harder and that everyone should remain compassionate and thoughtful when discussing reduction scenarios.
These proposals for discussion do not take into account any negotiated item settlements. In response to a question on what would happen to any reduction plan the District had in place if there was a settlement at the negotiation table, Slater responded that cost savings would reduce the pressure to find alternate reduction solutions. Higher savings would mean less pressure.
Other community colleges are in a worse state than FHDA and have already implemented, furloughs, staff reductions, programs reductions, mid-year layoffs, etc.
Sellitti noted that DSPS around the state is hearing that there is likely to be no more money for these programs, yet all of the legal compliance laws are still in place. State, Federal, & civil laws have not been revoked. He strongly suggested that it was in the best interest of the College and District to support categorical programs and that, philosophically, it would be disastrous to sacrifice categorical support for students.
In answer to a question on why one-time monies are being saved for next year, Sellitti replied that these savings were used to retain approx. 45 positions which would otherwise have been lost. The money was used to support students and to retain as many student resources for as long as possible.
The Governor releases his budget in January. The mid-year revise usually comes in May.
Jeanpierre asked the team what questions/thoughts are being aired on campus. Classified senate are concerned that once again most of the reductions will be shouldered by non-teaching staff. This time around there are 86 positions proposed for elimination in order to meet the dollar goal. It was noted that last year part-time faculty spending was reduced by $2.1M.
This year, $18M district wide was brought in by international students. The news that transfers to the CSU & UCs are under threat might impact international student enrollment.
Federal stimulus money was originally slated to be $160M and ended up at $30M for the whole state.
IPBT meets this afternoon at 4:00. Everyone is invited to attend every governance meeting.
Present: Argyriou, Bloom, Jeanpierre, Jenkins, Lee-Klawender, Guevara, Hearn, Michaelis, Reza, Schroeder, Sellitti, Simes, Slater, DASB Su. Notes: Gibson