Administrative Costs of Community Colleges

In the September Courier (Sept. 16, 1985), “published for the employees of the Los Angeles Community Colleges,” Chancellor Leslie Koltai, gives a financial breakdown of the 1985-1986 budget as follows (the figures are given exactly in order for my point to be made):

City $19,539,868 East 15,748,606 Harbor 12,237,907 Mission 4,879,218 Pierce 19,935,189 Southwest 8,238,791 Trade-Technical 18,454,509 Valley 18,026,957 West 9,993,042 Board of Trustees 297,603 Administrative Offices 12,939,585

Now, what is the one item that stands out like the proverbial “sore thumb” because it is the only one that does not serve teachers and students directly or indirectly? Right--the Administrative Offices. Mathematically, this represents about 10% of the entire district budget. It should be noted that one college (Harbor) exists roughly on the same financial resources as the Administrative Offices. Briefly, it is too much. Frankly, it is too much. Realistically, it is too much.

It is the overwhelming expense of this central administrative headquarters that is, for the most part, hurting the district fiscally. From a practical standpoint, it could be--and should be--slashed. When are the trustees going to understand that this “Administrative Offices” expense is obviously overpaid?

When is the public going to become aware that more funds should be expended on the colleges themselves: teachers, classified (custodians, gardeners, secretaries, etc.), supplies and equipment? When are the students going to figure out that too much money is being provided for administration and not enough for the colleges?

Much of the personnel at the West Seventh Street headquarters is unneeded, overloaded, top-heavy.

J.D. HESS

Canoga Park