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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (June 8, 2011)
2011 C areers e dition Budget Cuts trim Careers Classes By katherine Long associated Press seattLe (aP) — When it comes to cutting millions of dollars out of budgets for state community and technical colleges this spring, perhaps the most vexing issue is that the very programs that could kick-start new careers won’t be available for all the students who want to enroll. The Legislature last month sliced $84 million from the budgets for the state’s two-year schools for the next bienni- um, while authorizing 12 percent-a-year tuition increases over that span. Even before the cutbacks, classes at many of the state’s community and technical schools had waitlists. Now, in the search for ways to trim further, it’s becoming likely that those waiting lists will grow still longer as classes are cut from the schedule. And some programs will be phased out altogether. “The employment needs are there,” said Steve Hanson, president of Renton Technical College. “The jobs are going to be there. That’s what’s so frustrating.” The Renton college’s nursing program is so popular that students already are admitted by lottery, so some don’t get in. At South Seattle Community College, the aviation pro- gram is full for the fall quarter. The school’s popular culi- nary and wine programs have waitlists for the summer quar- ter. There are even waiting lists for online classes. “Unfortunately, time is our enemy,” said Jill Wakefield, chancellor of Seattle Community Colleges. “If you have lost your job, you don’t have a year to wait to get into a pro- gram.” Seattle Central Community College has proposed elimi- nating nine programs, including apparel design, and inter- preter training. Some are the only programs of their kind in the state. Yet, there’s ample demand for students who finish some of these programs. “I haven’t even graduated yet, and already I have a job,” said Milli Miniti-Jigamian, who is studying opticianry and will earn her degree in June 2012. “This (program) gets you in the field right away.” All the students in Renton’s precision-machining program have job offers, Hanson said. Even during the worst of the recession, about 80 percent of graduates from Seattle Community Colleges found jobs after they finished their training, Wakefield said. Since 2009, the funding shortfall created by the recession has caused the state’s 34 community and technical colleges to close programs and courses that were not completely filled, said Charlie Earl, executive director of the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). Now, the schools will need to slice much deeper. “They will be cutting sections they could fill, or overfill,” Earl said. The cuts will include programs in health care, business and manufacturing — “areas where we know there are employment possibilities in the future.” Among the hardest hit will be the professional and tech- nical training courses — programs more expensive to deliv- er, because they have a lower student-to-faculty ratio and often require training equipment, Earl said. Colleges also might be forced to trim basic-skills classes, which allow students to complete their GED, take English as a second language or prepare for college with extra work in basic academics. “In my 18 years, we’ve had plenty of times when we’ve had a little budget cut here, a little budget cut there,” said Karen Strickland, a former community-college teacher who now leads the Seattle chapter of the American Federation of Teachers. But this time, the cuts “are having a much deeper and broader impact.” In a news conference and rally Wednesday at Seattle Central, Strickland urged students and faculty to call their legislators and tell them how the schools are being affected. “They need to hear what pain this budget is causing,” Strickland said. Strickland said the schools’ importance to their communi- ties goes beyond the role as job-training center. According to a study commissioned this year by the SBCTC, community colleges contribute $11 billion a year to the state’s economy. The schools generate more than $100 million in added tax revenues annually, the study says, and for every state dollar invested in the schools, $1.70 in tax revenues are returned to the state. Not every community or technical college will be affect- ed by cuts to the same level. Some schools will be able to Sealed bid proposals will be accepted for the follow- ing project: PROJECT NO.: 11-STA-424 TITLE: Maintenance/Administration Facility Roofing Replacement AGENCY: Spokane Transit Authority PROJECT MANAGER: R.K. “Butch” Slaughter ESTIMATED BASE BID COST RANGE: $1,529,000 PUBLIC BID OPENING: 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Spokane Transit Authority (Owner), South Side A Conference Room at 1229 W Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99205 PRE-BID WALK-THROUGH: 10:00 A.M., Monday, June 13, 2011 in the South Side A Conference Room at 1229 W Boone Avenue. For directions to the site of the pre-bid walk-through, please see drawings or contact the Consultant listed below. If a bidder is unable to attend the Pre-Bid Walk- Through, arrangements will have to be made for a tour of roofs at least 7 days prior to the bid date. Contact Cortner Architectural Company for tour date and time. Contractors may obtain plans and specifications from the Consultant on or after Tuesday afternoon, June 7, 2011: Cortner Architectural Company, 1903 W 3rd Ave, Spokane, WA 99201, telephone (509) 363- 1039, fax (509) 624-4486, upon the refundable deposit of $150.00, and $30.00 non-refundable ship- ping deposit, if applicable. Plan sets must be returned in good condition within seven (7) days fol- lowing bid date to obtain a refund of deposit. After seven days, no refunds will be made. Please direct questions regarding this project to the office of the Consultant. Page 6 The Seattle Skanner June 8, 2011 tap into reserve funds, postponing some cuts. Others have found federal or private grants to make up some of the shortfall. And most schools already have reorganized programs or cut administrative positions to help dampen the effect on students. For example, Renton Technical College will use reserve funds to get through the end of this year. Seattle’s three community colleges — North, South and Central — have reorganized administrative roles, cut about 100 positions, reduced travel and enlarged some classes. see cuts on page 7 KITSAP TRANSIT NOTICE OF DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GOAL AND PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED GOAL POLICE OFFICER ENTRY-LEVEL $4792/month $5247 Second year & $6280 Third year The City of Everett seeks a diverse group of qualified individuals who are interested in a police career that pro- vides professional and personal challenges and rewards. To apply go to: HR Dept., 2930 Wetmore Ave., Suite 5A, Everett, WA 98201, (425) 257-8768 or www.ci.everett.wa.us. Applications must be received by Friday, 8/19/11. EOE. 6-18-11 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Jill wakefield, Chancellor of seattle Community Colleges Plans and specifications may be viewed at the fol- lowing plan centers: Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc., Spokane; Associated General Contractors, Spokane; Walla Walla Valley Plan Center, Walla Walla; Spokane Regional Plan Center, Spokane; Tri-City Construction Council, Kennewick. Use of MWBE contractors and suppliers is encour- aged but not mandatory. Bidders may contact the Washington State Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprise to obtain information on certi- fied firms. The minimum prevailing wage provisions of Washington state law or federal Davis Bacon apply to this project. The Owner reserves the right to reject or accept any or all bid proposals and to waive minor informalities in the bidding process. No bidder may withdraw his bid after hour set for opening thereof unless contract award is delayed for a period exceeding sixty (60) days. Spokane Transit is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) organization that does not dis- criminate against any prospective supplier on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national ori- gin, marital status or presence of any sensory, men- tal, or physical disability in the consideration for con- tract award. The successful bidder will be required to comply with all EEO federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Upon request, alternative formats of this document will be produced for people with disabilities. The meeting rooms are accessible for people who use wheelchairs. For these and other accommodations, please call 325-6094 or TTY (509) 232-6555 or email smillbank@spokanetransit.com at least forty- eight (48) hours in advance. 6-8-11 (Federal Fiscal Years 2012 – 2014) Kitsap Transit is hereby publishing notice of its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for fiscal years 2012 through 2014 of two and one half percent (2.5%) DBE participation in Kitsap Transit federally fund- ed contracting activities. The intent of the goal is to pro- mote an environment of equal opportunity for local, cer- tified DBEs to participate in Kitsap Transit’s federally funded contracting activities. The goal is an aspirational goal that is representative of the number of ready, willing, able and certified DBEs in the local market. The Board of Commissioners of Kitsap Transit will hold a public hearing on Kitsap Transit’s proposed goal for DBE contracting in the federal fiscal years 2012 through 2014 at a regular meeting of the Kitsap Transit Board of Commissioners on July 19, 2011 at approximately 9:30 a.m. at the Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton WA. A public comment period is established between June 5, 2011 and July 19, 2011. Comments may either be sub- mitted at the public hearing on July 19, 2011 or to the office of Kitsap Transit prior to the meeting. Written com- ments should be addressed to Paul Shinners, DBE Officer, Kitsap Transit, 60 Washington Avenue, Suite 200, Bremerton WA, 98337 and must be received by July 18, 2011 to be considered at the July 19, 2011 public hearing. Comments may also be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration office in Seattle at 915 Second Avenue, Suite 3142, Seattle WA, 98174. A copy of the DBE Plan is available for review at the busi- ness offices of Kitsap Transit at 60 Washington Avenue, Suite 200, Bremerton WA, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. A Resolution adopting Kitsap Transit's proposed DBE Goal for the federal fiscal years 2012 through 2014 will be on the agenda for consideration at the Kitsap Transit Board of Commissioners' regular meeting on July 19, 2011. Sincerely, Cathie Knox-Browning, Clerk of the Board, Kitsap Transit, (360) 478-6230, ktexecutive@kitsaptransit.com 6-8-11 jobs • businesses • opportunities bids/classifieds to place an ad call 503-285-5555 or 206-233-9888
