State Budget Benefits Columbia College

Columbia, CA — Columbia College will be able to add class offerings this fall.

Had Proposition 30 failed in November, Interim President Dr. Leslie Buckalew says Columbia would have faced an $800K cut in funding. With its passage, Columbia will see an estimated $195K bump compared to last year. It comes after several years of cuts due to declining state revenues. The details were approved in the new budget signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. Buckalew says it will allow the college to serve an additional 42 full-time equivalent students this fall, and add 44 additional class offerings. Some of the additions include classes focused on things such as computer graphics, database management, constitutional government, sociology of sport and commercial baking.

On the issue of selecting a permanent President, Buckalew expects the YCCD Board of Directors to conduct a national search in the fall and make a selection in the spring.

Buckalew was the guest on Mother Lode Views over the weekend. She also spoke about the school’s accreditation, preparing students for the workforce, and expanding offerings into Oakdale and Calaveras County. You can listen to the entire 30 minute show by clicking here.