The San Diego Community College District adopted a record $801 million budget for the 2015-16 academic year Thursday that is 8 percent higher than the previous year.
The additional funding is allowing the district to add more than 600 new class sections and hire 31 new full-time faculty members. The district also will be hiring additional counselors, tutors, and other staff.
“With an increase of over $80 million, the San Diego Community College District has increased funding for City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and continuing education,” said Chancellor Constance M. Carroll. “In addition to a balanced budget, students will find hundreds of additional class sections, more full-time faculty members, new classroom buildings, and many more improvements. We are looking forward to our best year yet.”
The new budget marks an increase of 8 percent from last year’s $738 million overall spending plan.
“The Board of Trustees is excited to approve this budget because it will provide even greater student access while funding improvements to student success,” said Maria Nieto Senour, president of the board.
This year Mesa College will offer a bachelor’s degree in health information management under a pilot program that allows some community colleges to offer four-year degrees.
The district is the second largest of California’s 72 community college districts and serves approximately 100,000 students annually through three two-year colleges and San Diego Continuing Education.
