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Schools

While Other Community Colleges Falter, Gavilan Thrives

Thanks to decisions made by President Steven Kinsella and the actions of a forward-thinking board, Gavilan isn't experiencing the layoffs seen in other community colleges. In fact, it's hiring.

In 2006, Steven Kinsella, president of Gavilan College, expressed great foresight in a talk to staff and faculty.

"We just saw our budget from the state for next year, and I can tell you, this is the best funding community colleges have ever seen—which means it's time to start preparing for the downturn, because we know it's coming."

Kinsella laid out the groundwork so Gavilan would be ready if the economy began to turn.

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As community colleges around the state reel after three consecutive years of budgets cuts, many of the colleges are laying off staff, considering furlough days and drastically reducing classes offered.

Not Gavilan. Thanks to the fiscal planning of Kinsella and Gavilan's forward-thinking Board of Trustees, the college plans to hire full-time staff this year and increase class offerings for the fall, according to Gavilan College spokesperson Jan Bernstein-Chargin.

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Gavilan was also proactive in managing the number of staff on board. When times were flush, “we hired more full-time permanent faculty and professional support staff than was required by the state," Kinsella said. "As employees retired over the past two years, we did not fill those positions, allowing us to save money."

Gavilan used that money to offset reductions in revenues, Kinsella added.  The college still has room for attrition, with six more positions than are required.

A bond measure passed in 2004 provided the funds to renovate Gavilan's buildings and outfit them with energy-saving equipment. This move led to long-term savings in energy costs and also allowed the college to retire its debt from past facilities improvements.

Kinsella has made small reductions in the budget every year. He said that making small reductions in expenditures prevented having to make devastating cuts when community colleges were hardest hit by the budget deficits.

What's ahead for Gavilan? Kinsella is optimistic. 

"I am convinced the economy is growing and has been for the past six months," he said. "The next challenge we have is to grow enrollment as more and more students return to the workforce.

"We will continue the important work we have begun to focus on student success, increase completion of degrees and certificates, and help students to transfer to universities or gain employment.”

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