LACCD Board explains budget gap details amid enrollment downturn.
The Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees took time during their meeting on Wednesday, April 2, to address how drops in enrollment numbers have led to funding issues that have impacted the district.
District Academic Senate President Angela Echeverri opened with a discussion on the coinciding challenges of budget gaps and wages.
“Transfer is down and obtaining a living wage is also down about 38%,” Echeverri said. “If the goal is to transfer students, if the goal is to get students to enroll, then this is not working”.
According to Echeverri, LACCD has lost 10,000 full-time students (FTS) since the implementation of AB 1705, contributing to a $60 million budget gap. Concerns about AB 1705 and 705 were repeatedly brought forward, with many thanking board members for addressing the issues.
Others noted that the bill was voted in without people fully understanding its ramifications, with one speaker expressing concerns that the legislation, initially intended to support student success, particularly for students of color, has instead forced many underprepared students into college-level English and math courses.
While AB 1705 highlighted issues in the classroom, board members turned their attention to student housing insecurity.
To address the student housing crisis, LACCD has launched a comprehensive housing program. The district is seeking requests for proposals (RFPs) for existing properties, buildings under construction and vacant land to be used for student housing.
Another solution, proposed by Board of Trustees member David Vela, is on-campus student housing, and the district is in discussions about using available land at an LACCD college. While it is still in its early stages, the initiative is moving forward.
“It’s a pretty extensive RFP, with a lot of great ideas that we’re hoping come forward,” Vela said.
Besides policy and resource discussions, the board took time to recognize those advocating for student success.
Trustee Nichelle Henderson was also honored by the Black Graduation Committee for her dedication to promoting education in youth communities.
“Thank you very much for this,” Henderson said. “Recognition is great, but I do what I do from the heart.”
Henderson also took a moment to thank her colleagues, Regina Smith and Tangelia Alfred-Gentles, who were recognized for their dedication to the district and Black and African American students.
The next LACCD Board of Trustees meeting will take place on April 16, which is accessible either on Zoom or Youtube.
