ACCOUNTABILITY
Strengthening Pathways to Student Success
Alex Larson is committed to eliminating racial, ethnic, and regional gaps to help students reach their end goals – whether that be a certificate, degree, or transfer to a four-year university. He knows when we put students front and center, we can improve outcomes in terms of transfers, degree and certificate completion, career achievement, and ultimately, social and economic mobility.
Alex supports several innovative solutions that break down barriers and help clarify the path from entry to a brighter future for students. Adults represent a significant portion of our population that can help increase Gavilan’s student enrollment.
School Budgets: Courage and Conservative Planning Needed
Alex Larson is a successful businessman, with a proven track record. Alex believes in setting a conservative budget which reflects the uncertainties in receiving any additional income such cuts from state budgets. Alex understands the complexities involved in analyzing the Governor’s budget proposals relating to California Community Colleges (CCC) enrollment, apportionments, and nursing education. Alex has the ability to recognize and provide recommendations and options to help Gavilan College after the Legislature address the large gap between current California Community College spending and available Proposition 98 funding.
PROPOSITION 98
Proposition 98 (1988) established a constitutional funding formula that sets a minimum annual funding level for schools and community colleges. Commonly known as the “minimum guarantee,” this funding requirement is met through a combination of state General Fund and local property tax revenue. The state is facing notable downward revisions to Proposition 98 Guarantee
The bulk of Gavilan Colleges district spending is for compensation. Salary decisions are made by the board of trustees. District pension costs are rising with half of employees participating in the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), with the other half (namely staff and administrators) participating in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Alex understands the budgeting process
Funding Increases, Together With Budget Savings, Contributed to Higher Reserve Levels
Gavilan Colleges reserves have grown significantly since the pandemic. Alex understands the increase in districts’ local reserves is the result of at least three factors. One factor is that the state notably increased community college funding during the pandemic years despite enrollment drops. Given enrollment drops and large state augmentations (even beyond high COLA rates), districts purposefully have tended not to spend all their state allotments the past few years. Additionally, federal relief funds provided during the pandemic reduced pressure on local and state funds that colleges would otherwise have needed to cover technology and certain other operating costs. Amid these federal and state funding increases, colleges also achieved savings from staff reductions and vacancies.
Funding from apportionments
Community Colleges Rely Heavily on Funding From Apportionments. All community college districts (except the statewide online Calbright College) receive funding from apportionments. The amount each district receives is based on the state’s Student Centered Funding Formula (SCFF). SCFF takes into account many factors, including the amount of credit and noncredit instruction each district provides. In 2023‑24, community college districts collectively received 70 percent of all their Proposition 98 funding through apportionments. The remainder of CCC Proposition 98 funding is allocated to community colleges districts through more than 40 categorical programs.
