Members of the Cerritos College Faculty Federation address the Board last Wednesday about its proposal of its controversial moved about having 5 percent within its official policy of college reserves.

For English instructor David Fabish it was something that the members of the board should think about before it is considered.

The following is part of a resolution that members of the CCFF presented to the board:

WHEREAS, the faculty at Cerritos College are concerned, first and foremost, with the education of their students and the overall quality of the college at which they teach; and,

WHEREAS, the Cerritos Community College District (“District”) is a publicly funded institution constituted for the educational benefit of its community and students; and,

WHEREAS, the District should maximize the availability of financial resources in furtherance of its educational mission; and,

WHEREAS, the District Board of Trustees is considering adoption of a board policy which would require that the District maintain a 5% minimum budget reserve; and,

WHEREAS, the minimum budget reserve recommended by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office is 3%; and

WHEREAS, the District currently maintains an actual reserve of 8.5%, and in the past has held reserves of 10.74% (2005-06) and 13.55% (2003-04), all of which are in great excess of the 3% minimum; and

WHEREAS, it is generally prudent for community college districts to maintain as much flexibility as possible in their budgets in order to respond to the emergent needs of their constituents.

Senate Faculty President Dr. Bryan Reece said that a re-examination of the policy should be considered.

The matter will be addressed at the next board meeting on April 7.