College District Expects Surplus of $11.6 Million

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Community College District announced Wednesday that, based on second-quarter data, it projects an $11.6-million surplus for the fiscal year that ends in June, in contrast to the $13-million deficit projected at this time last year.

District officials credited the reversal to cuts in class offerings and services and a slight increase in enrollment at the district’s nine campuses.

All the campuses except Southwest College are now in the black.

“The district is turning around,” said Patrick McCallum, district lobbyist. “There is high priority to meet reserves, and I don’t see anyone backing off that commitment.”

Lack of reserves prompted the California State community college chancellor last year to downgrade the Los Angeles district on a watch list of financially troubled districts.

Once considered a national model, the Los Angeles district ranks in the bottom two of the state’s 71 community college districts in terms of financial health.

District officials hope that reforms introduced to improve its financial showing will boost its financial ranking.

Last year, the district’s Board of Trustees moved to decentralize district functions, shifting funds to campuses, and away from the central district administration.