Education leaders bring advice to Cuesta College
Superintendent of schools and community college chancellor speak on budget problems
RecommendTwo of the state’s key education leaders spoke candidly of the financial difficulties facing California’s community colleges and called for schools to have an increased partnership with the community to make them sustainable.
Jack Scott, the chancellor of California’s community colleges, and Jack O’Connell, the state superintendent of schools, addressed more than 150 local educators, administrators, students and community members Thursday at Cuesta College.
Both Scott and O’Connell said a smoother transition among students from one education system to the next is also needed and will save millions of dollars annually.
The impact of state budget cuts to community colleges is visible statewide: there are fewer classes, reduced summer school programs and waiting lists for classes needed to transfer to four-year schools.
“This is a sad picture because we wanted to educate more students but could not afford to do it,” Scott said.
There is no simple solution, he said, making it clear that schools could no longer depend solely on state funding.
“I advise this college to be inventive,” Scott said. “How in these tough times can you be creative and entrepreneurial?”
Scott encouraged community college foundations — the nonprofit fundraising arms of the colleges — to increase solicitations of community money. That, he said, is one way community colleges can continue to offer more than what is required during times of fiscal uncertainty.
“There are people in your community who care,” Scott said, adding that businesses should be asked to step forward and help financially support vocational and technical classes.
Examples of that partnership may be in asking industry leaders to donate expensive equipment for vocational training, he said.
Cuesta College is one of 112 community colleges in California, with
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