PLATTSBURGH — The fiscal situation could be worse at Clinton Community College, given a nationwide recession.

But the news is far from sunshine and smiles for the school officials who, faced with stagnant aid and increasing costs, have been forced to make some program and personnel cuts in the 2009-10 budget proposal.

"There is not a lot of wiggle room in here for us, especially if enrollment goes up in the fall, which we believe it will," said CCC President John Jablonski, who has been on the job since June 2.

"That will present us with some challenges."

The operating side of the budget proposal totals roughly $13.8 million, up 2 percent from the current spending plan, with another $4 million in the form of separate, restricted funds.

SHORTFALL
Community-college funding is entirely different from state operations such as Plattsburgh State, explained Jablonski.

The state, through the State University of New York, funds community colleges based on full-time equivalent student enrollment, or what is referred to as FTE.

"Community colleges, for the next year or the year that starts in the fall, are being supported at the same level as they were for the last two years," Jablonski said. "I guess in this economy it could be worse."

The problem, he said, is that even at that rate, the money that goes toward CCC's budget is only about 31 percent of next year's proposed spending plan.

"Ideally, we should be looking to get about 40 percent from New York state, but that hasn't happened in a long time," Jablonski said.

"We didn't get cut on our funding, but we are still falling short for what the ideal funding formula would be, because students are supposed to be a third and then the county covers the balance, after the state share of 40 percent.

"So what we are getting from the state is a shortfall."

College officials were unable to provide an amount that they will seek from Clinton County, saying final figures aren't ready yet.

NOT FILLING JOBS
As a result of the shortfall, the college now faces cuts as the proposed budget climbs 2 percent, partly due to increased enrollments.

"A lot of people are coming back to community college, and you also have the cost of personnel and the contractual increases," Jablonski said.

CCC will leave a total of 3.5 positions vacant next year: two faculty, an assistant dean and a building mechanic and custodian.

"Obviously, that will put more workload on fewer people," Jablonski said. "We will have more students but fewer people. We will feel pinched."

The college has also reduced costs across the board by 2 percent for anything not associated with salaries and benefits.

And the school cut back on a Business Information Technology Program it offered.

CCC officials will begin budget conversations with the Clinton County Legislature in early July.

"It is a very lean budget, and we have tried to be responsible," Jablonski said.

"We understand the state and county are in very difficult financial situations, and we have tried to do our part and be responsible."

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com