Budget Info
Financial Planning, Budget, and Analysis
Fiscal planning and analysis are conducted annually to determine appropriate allocation of resources for the coming year(s). The assessment process is one of several strategies that support enrollment management, institutional decision making, and fiscal responsibility.
No Program Closures in FY 23/24
There are no planned program closures for the 2023-2024 academic year. Seattle Central will continue to enroll students for all programs and the intention is to keep all high-cost workforce programs open and enrolling on an ongoing basis.
A Balanced FY 23/24 Budget
Seattle Central College will present a balanced FY 23/24 budget. The initial recommendation goes to the chancellor in April 2023 who will make the final decision. The chancellor may accept the proposal, ask for changes, or reject it.
Key Legislative Decisions that impact Seattle Central’s Budget
Before Seattle Central’s FY 23/24 budget is finalized, the state legislature must approve Governor Inslee’s biennial budget proposal for all 34 community and technical colleges in Washington. Central’s budget next year will be affected by the following legislative outcomes or decisions:
- Whether the state will fund 100 percent of mandatory cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for faculty and staff or if Seattle Central must cover a portion using local tuition funds
- Whether or how much of the $77 million request from the State Board for Technical and Community Colleges (SBCTC) will supplement high-cost workforce programs around the state
While legislators did not approve the additional $77 million in the final 2023-2025 biennial budget, Seattle Central did receive support for the Seattle Maritime Academy, including $855,000 that will support operational costs as the college expands a new partnership with Washington State Ferries. Additionally, the state will fully fund routine COLAs, allowing Seattle Central to dedicate local tuition dollars to sustain all programs and student services going forward.
Sustainable Funding Solutions for Workforce Programs
The Workforce Development Program Sustainability Task Force was established in summer 2022 to find sustainable funding solutions for the following programs previously under consideration for closure:
- The Seattle Culinary Academy
- The Wood Technology Center
- The Apparel Design Program
- The Seattle Maritime Academy
These programs require a heavy subsidy to operate. Seattle Colleges has secured a short-term funding bridge with King County, partnered with local industry, and engaged with private funders, while developing businesses plans that outline a sustainable path long-term.
Restructuring the Funding Models
As a direct result of the sustainability task force, the State Board for Technical and Community Colleges has requested $77 million from the governor to reflect the higher cost of workforce education. Seattle Colleges would receive $8.1 million from this funding stream, of which $2 million would be allocated to Seattle Central.
Maximizing Fill Rates
In FY 22/23, Seattle Central began aligning class schedules with enrollment to maximize fill rates for classes.
- FY 21/22 Average Fill Rate: 73.3 percent of classes had a student-to-faculty ratio of 16.6:1
- FY 22/23 Average Fill Rate: 74.3 percent of classes had a student-to-faculty ratio of 17.7:1
- FY 23/24 Target Fill Rate: 80 percent or higher have a student-to-faculty ratio of at least 18:1
More Resources
Financial Planning, Budget, and Analysis
Fiscal planning and analysis are conducted annually to determine appropriate allocation of resources for the coming year(s). The assessment process is one of several strategies that support enrollment management, institutional decision making, and fiscal responsibility.
No Program Closures in FY 22/23
After careful consultation with the board of trustees, program staff, business, and elected leaders, Seattle Colleges has come to the decision to continue enrolling students for all programs for Fall 2022. While Seattle Central's initial recommendations to balance the budget included potential closure of some workforce programs, there are no recommended program closures at Seattle Central College for the fiscal year 2022-2023 (FY 22/23).
Measures to Balance the FY 22/23 Budget
The chancellor and the board of trustees have directed Seattle Central College to balance its budget for FY 22/23.
Given the financial status of the college, and after thorough review and careful consideration, Seattle Central's Executive team has recommended three measures to balance expenditures, continue to be a good steward of taxpayer funds, and ensure the long-term viability of the college.
The initial recommendation goes to the chancellor who will make the final decision. The chancellor may accept the proposal, ask for changes, or reject it.
Seattle Central is taking three approaches to balance the budget:
- Cutting Administrative Costs
- Maximizing Fill Rates
- Restructuring the funding models for higher-cost programs
Cutting Administrative Costs
Administration is cutting 15 percent of its overhead budget. This includes a reduction in force - by either eliminating positions or leaving open positions vacant - at the Associate Dean level and above.
Maximizing Fill Rates
Seattle Central is aligning class schedules with enrollment and looking to maximize fill rates for classes.
Restructuring the Funding Models
Seattle Colleges will seek to restructure the funding models of the following workforce programs:
- The Seattle Culinary Program
- The Wood Technology Center
- The Apparel Design Program
- The Seattle Maritime Academy
These programs require a heavy subsidy to operate. Seattle Colleges is securing a short-term funding bridge with King County, state legislators, business leaders, and potential private funders, while determining a long-term sustainable path forward.
After careful consideration with the board of trustees, program staff, business and elected leaders, Seattle Central will continue enrolling students for all four programs for Fall 2022.