Gov. Gray Davis’ 2002-03 preliminary budget proposal has left some Cerritos College employees feeling uncertain about their futures.
In an attempt to deal with a $12.5 million deficit Davis proposed cutting $58 million from the budget of the California community college CalWorks program last month, leaving only $7 million for the curriculum statewide.
CalWorks is a program on California community college campuses that assists students who receive welfare obtain work skills and employment.
Employees help students ar-range free child care, enroll in colleges, and become self-reliant individuals.
“Our program gives students an opportunity to make a difference by education,” said Marina Rodriguez, an account technician in the CalWorks program.
Without the services that the CalWorks’ program offers, students will be limited to financial help.”
Employees fear that if the budget proposal holds, CalWorks will be terminated and they will find themselves unemployed.
“The proposed budget only leaves a tiny bit of money for the program, said Renée Bloch, a program assistant for the CalWorks’ program. That would not be enough to support the classified staff.”
Although employment is a major concern for the CalWorks’ employees, it is not the only concern on their minds.
Gina Alavrez, a job placement technician in the CalWorks program, fears that if CalWorks is terminated because of insufficient funding, recipients will suffer.
“We are able to connect and have personal relationships with the CalWork’s recipients.
I think they might drop out because we help to minimize some of the obstacles in their way.”
Cerritos College President Jane Harmon strongly supports the CalWorks program and does not want its employees to act hastily.
“The employees of an institution are the people who help the college maintain its quality.”
Harmon also added, “In the first budget the governor proposed the reduced funds but this is only the beginning of a very long process,” Harmon said.
Employees are pleased that the president is supportive of CalWorks and they are hopeful that the program will be able to continue.
“It is nice to hear the our school president is acknowledging our worries,” Rodriguez said.
