Countywide : Community College District to Press for State Funds
Ventura County Community College District officials said they will lobby local legislators Friday to make funding state community colleges a priority for the Legislature this year.
The presidents of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges will meet with Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria), state Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara), Assemblyman Nao Takasugi (R-Oxnard), state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) and Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills) or their representatives.
“We’re going to be highlighting our programs and explain why we’re deserving of funding,” said Gregory P. Cole, president of the college district board.
The financially troubled district is already on the state chancellor’s “watch list” because its financial reserves are too low, Cole said.
The district, which has a $62.5-million budget, has about $1 million in reserve.
College officials say they are worried that the state budget this year will cut their funding.
Student fees--which were raised last year--may go up again to offset the shortfall, officials said.
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