Since July 1, 2015 when the state of Illinois began the current budget impasse, the Board of Trustees and administration of Kishwaukee College have been carefully planning a financial strategy to withstand the fiscal challenges.
For Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) which began on July 1, 2015, Kishwaukee College was to receive $5 million or 22% of its budget from the state. To date, the College has received no payment from the state. According to Dr. Choice, “In October, there was concern about the uncertainty of whether the state would pay schools retroactively to July 1 once the budget was finally approved. Since that time the picture has not improved. In fact, word out of Springfield from a number of legislators is that community colleges should prepare for no state funding for FY16.” Colleges and universities across the state are also preparing for the possibility of budget reductions for FY17, as well.
During the Fall 2015 semester, the College implemented several cost-saving measures including placing eight currently vacant positions on hold and suspending the searches for those positions; enacting a moratorium on out-of-state travel for staff; enacting a moratorium on in-state travel except for mileage reimbursement for essential local travel; freezing capital projects; reducing departmental budgets by $200,000; reducing the student worker budget; and reviewing student travel for possible reduction or elimination. These Phase I measures will save the College $1.3 million.
In addition, the Adult Education and Transition Programs (AETP) division, which offers High School Equivalency preparation, English as a Second Language classes as well as other programs, has been particularly hard hit. The majority of AETP is grant funded and the federal grants for these programs cannot be released until a state budget has been passed. The Board of Trustees recognizes the impact these programs make within the community and has committed to continuing them, but with reduced hours and services for the reminder of FY16.
Looking to the future, the steps the College has taken in FY16 will not be sufficient to address continued budget challenges. To cover the budget shortfall, $2.6 million from revenue enhancements and expenditure reductions is necessary. Two additional phases of actions were shared with the Board of Trustees on Tuesday evening and would not be implemented until July 1, 2016. Bob Johnson, Chairman of the Board, said, “The Board is charged with taking whatever action is necessary to ensure the fiscal integrity of the institution and ensuring its continued viability as the community’s college.” The Board remains committed to ensuring the highest quality programs and services the College can provide.
Dr. Choice noted, “We still hold out some small hope that a budget agreement will be reached in Springfield soon and some level of funding for Kishwaukee College will be approved for FY 16.”
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