Editor:
I found out by poking around on the Internet. One of my College of the Redwoods journalism classes had been canceled. No explanation.
The reason, I’m left to assume — they’re cutting classes because enrollment is up. Really?
All I know is that I love to teach at CR and always have. My mother and father were teachers. It seemed the perfect outlet for a guy surviving the crumbling broadcast business. When I worked there, even the cows grazing behind Newschannel 3 were getting nervous. Now they’re gone.
That’s why I got my Master’s Degree from Humboldt State in “Teaching of Writing.” I’d found my niche at College of the Redwoods — free parking, my own mailbox and coffee half the Starbucks price. Couldn’t beat it. There, I advised the school paper through a half-dozen name changes. It was the Corsair, then the Horse-Hair. The paper was neither pretty nor perfect. But we did it.
Still, I dealt well with the uncertainty part-time teachers face every 15 weeks — whether the class would be canceled. I promoted it like heck (I know something about that). I made public service announcements, launched a blog for student writing (collegeredwoodsnews.net) and produced more than 30 half-hour TV news magazines. I was a media mogul with a library card.
As I got older, I could have (and probably should have) stayed home to watch “The Price is Right.” That Bob Barker — what a rascal he was. But when teaching is life, one has no choice.
Through it all, I’ve met the most interesting people — combat veterans, former police officers, recovering addicts and even a lady who partied at Woodstock. The kids were awed by her. They had all brought their dreams to me, and I told them to never give them up.
Every December and every May, I’ve had those “To Sir With Love” moments, wishing them well and watching them leave — the bittersweet ritual of closing the door and walking down the hill.
As everyone else, I would read those foreboding CR stories — budget problems, low morale and ebbing confidence in leadership. I felt the same way when Pop would try to fix the family Pontiac. I never pretended to know jack about running a college.
But when they canceled my class, I looked to those old news clippings for enlightenment. In a moment of clarity, I found the explanation: “Classes are being cut because enrollment is up.” In other words, we’re too good at what we do.
I’d have a hard time explaining that to my students. But I guess I don’t have to worry about that as much, do I?
Dave Silverbrand, Eureka
Sweet Spot: Dave Silverbrand wins a Bon Boniere sundae for sending our favorite letter of the week.
This article appears in Summer of Fun 2010.
From: Marsee, Jeff
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 4:20 PM
To: All
Subject: Special Board Meeting on Friday, May 21 at 9:00 a.m.
This is a reminder that there will be a Special Board Meeting this Friday, May 21 at 9:00 a.m. in the Board Room.Dial-In information and Web streaming information can be found at the end of this email.
Dear Colleagues,
During the presentation of the draft (first reading) tentative budget to the Board of Trustees last Friday, May 7th, it was requested that alternative “worst” case budget scenarios be identified so that CR can be prepared should the projected (2010-11) revenue not be correct. As you may know, CR will not know what the final state appropriation will be until late August or September. Given the emerging bad financial news from the state, this planning strategy makes very good sense. Therefore, while hoping that our current draft budget will be accurate, two additional budget scenarios were requested by the Trustees, including:
• a zero state appropriation increase ($599,000 revenue reduction); and
• the elimination of the retiree benefit Fund 79 budget deficit ($515,305 increase in expense/transfer).
With the addition of several expenses, it is anticipated that we may have as much as $1.2 million in budget cuts should the state defund our district’s allocation next year. Again, this is an anticipated worst case scenario, not a reality as of this date.
Therefore, before reviewing the three budget scenarios at the June 1, 2010 board meeting, a Special Board of Trustee meeting has been scheduled for Friday, May 21, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the Eureka campus Board room. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide for the employees AND PUBLIC AN opportunity to share with the Trustees possible alternatives for allocating revenue/expenditures in the proposed tentative budget and for providing suggestions for reducing the budget up to $1.2 million, if necessary. To facilitate discussion, staff will prepare a number of options with quantifiable expenses for each action item. I understand that the Trustees are willing to look at all options including, but not limited to: benefits (employee and dependents), step/salary increases, reduction in classes, reduced operating hours and days, and any other ideas that you may have that would help keep the budget balanced should the state’s funding result in dramatic reductions.
Again, while not wanting to panic anyone, it is believed that thoughtful and early planning can help avoid bad decisions later. The May 21st meeting is intended to bring the college community together to discuss the current financial situation and to provide input and suggestions as to how the district should respond to a worst case budget situation before a potential crisis occurs. This is your opportunity to participate and thus take part in the development of possible responses to a potentially bad state financial situation.
I hope you will take the time and make the arrangements to participate. I have asked all managers to provide release time for their staff to participate. There will be additional information and materials sent to all employees next week as staff complete the necessary financial schedules.
I am looking forward to hearing your ideas on May 21st.
PARTICIPANT CALL-IN DETAILS
Marsee has bankrupt CR. He’s doing a great job in hiding it. He hasn’t even told the board yet.