Budget approved

Published in Long Beach City College's Viking newspaper in 2005.

Board OKs plan to spend $197 million for school year.

An increase in state revenue allowed he LBCC Board of Trustees to unanimously approve a $197 million balanced budget for the 2005-2006 school year Tuesday, Sept. 13.
The budget will provide a 1.9 percent increase in enrollment and make available nearly $5.5 million in reserve money. Along with salary and benefit costs, expenses for 32 new full-time teachers will be covered.
"This will be a crucial year at LBCC," said Chi-Chung Keung, executive director of public affairs and marketing. "The budget will be predicated on significant enrollment numbers and everyone will need to work together to realize this goal."
Federal revenue went down $86,552, but local went up $876,191. Compared to last year's adopted budget, LBCC gained an estimated $4 million more in state revenue. A raise of 4.23 percent in cost-of-living was the catalyst for the change.
Board members were disappointed in an old-fashioned state funding formula, causing an unfair distribution of money throughout the Los Angeles Community College District. LBCC was fronted less money than any other school, missing out on as extra $5 million this school year.
Some college officials are concerned that the estimate of a 1.9 percent increase in enrollment may not be accomplished. Apparently, the college enrollment status of last year showed about 450 fewer students than budgeted, demanding the school return $2.6 million to the state.
A plan to gain enrollment this year provides an improved enrollment and registration system and a successful marketing campaign, geared toward a reversal of last year's outcome, officials said.
Student Trustee June Tanskul said, "Balancing the budget helps to define the goals of LBCC by appropriating funds to improve the overall programs offered here. Also, by redistributing funds, faculty members will benefit by not having to worry about supply shortages. As far as I see, regardless of the budget cuts, the school will still be able to maintain the quality of education."